Jesus Year RESOURCES

Main Text: Main Text: Genesis 3:1, 7–8, 23; Ephesians 2:13 (ESV)
Genesis 3:1 – The serpent’s question: “Did God actually say…?”
Genesis 3:7–8 – Adam and Eve’s eyes are opened, they cover themselves, and hide.
Genesis 3:23 – God sends them out of the garden.
Ephesians 2:13 – “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

The Question We're Asking:
Why does sin always leave us empty?
Notes: This is the heartbeat of the passage: temptation promises satisfaction but always ends in separation.
Students need to see themselves in this story: every time we sin, we are living out the same pattern as Adam and Eve.
But the hope is this — Jesus steps into the separation and restores what sin broke.

Big Idea:
Sin brings separation, but Jesus brings restoration.
Notes: The story of Genesis 3 explains why our world is broken, why we feel guilt and shame, and why we often hide from God.
Sin is not just breaking rules — it’s breaking relationship.
The gospel is the answer: what sin separates, Jesus restores.

Point I: Sin starts when I stop trusting God.
Notes:
Genesis 3:1 — The serpent’s question creates doubt about God’s Word and His goodness.
Sin always begins with unbelief: “Maybe God’s holding out on me.”
Students need to connect: Where are you tempted to doubt God’s Word?
What we want students to get:
Every sin begins with a lie.
Temptation whispers: “God’s way isn’t good enough.”

Point II: Sin ends with separation, not satisfaction.
Notes:
Genesis 3:7–8 — Shame, hiding, and brokenness enter the story.
Genesis 3:23 — God sends them out of the garden. They are separated from His presence.
Students know this feeling: shame, guilt, distance from God and people.
What we want students to get:
Sin always takes more than it gives.
The end result is not freedom, but separation.

The Scarlet Thread: Jesus Brings Restoration
Notes:
Genesis 3:15 — In the middle of the curse, God makes a promise: the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. This is the first glimpse of the gospel.
Genesis 3:23 — Sin brings separation; Adam and Eve are sent out of the garden.
Ephesians 2:13 — Jesus is the promised Redeemer. Through His blood, those who were far off are brought near.
The cross fulfills the promise: Jesus crushes the serpent, covers our shame, and restores what sin broke.
What we want students to get:
From the very beginning, God had a plan to send a Rescuer.
The Bible isn’t random stories—it’s one story of God bringing us back.
Jesus is the Redeemer promised in Genesis 3, and He alone can restore us to God.

Action Step: Run Out of Hiding. Run to Jesus.
Notes:
Every student has something they’re tempted to hide.
The invitation is not to stay in shame but to bring it to Jesus.
This is the practical next step: don’t run away, run toward Him.
What we want students to get:
Sin pushes us to hide. Jesus invites us out of hiding.
The only safe place to run with your sin and shame is to Jesus.

Note: There are a lot of questions here, so be aware of time. You don't need to hit every question in every category, but you need to make sure you're moving through each one. 

KNOW
Let’s get to know each other:
If you had to hide somewhere during a game of hide-and-seek, where’s your go-to spot?
Now let’s talk about the Bible:
Read Genesis 3:1. What question does the serpent ask Eve?
Why do you think he wanted her to doubt God’s Word?

GROW
Read Genesis 3:7–8 together. Ask a student to do it.
Let’s talk about it:
What changed for Adam and Eve after they ate the fruit?
Why do you think they tried to cover themselves and hide from God?
Have you ever felt like you wanted to hide after doing something wrong?
Leader Tip: Use simple examples kids can relate to — like breaking something at home, lying about homework, or hiding a bad grade from parents.

GO
Read Genesis 3:23 and Ephesians 2:13 together.
Let’s make it personal:
Genesis says God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden (separation). Ephesians says Jesus brings us near (restoration). What does that mean?
How does Jesus help us when we feel ashamed, guilty, or far from God?
What’s one way you can “run to Jesus” instead of hiding this week?
Leader Tip: Reinforce the action step: Run out of hiding. Run to Jesus.

APPLY
Let’s make this week count with a simple plan:
One Thing: What’s one way you can remember to run to Jesus this week?
(Examples: say a quick prayer when you feel guilty, ask God for help at school, read a verse before bed.)
One Friend: Who can remind you or pray for you when you feel like hiding?
Write It Down: Draw or write one word that will remind you to run to Jesus.

PRAY
Let’s pray together:
Thank God that Jesus restores us when sin separates us.
Ask Him to help us stop hiding and run to Him this week.
Leader Tip: Model a short prayer, then invite a student to pray if they’re comfortable.

Collect prayer requests in the form at the bottom of the page and submit. 

Note: There are a lot of questions here, so be aware of time. You don't need to hit every question in every category, but you need to make sure you're moving through each one. 

KNOW (Understanding the Message)
Starter Questions
Have you ever believed something that sounded true but turned out to be a lie? What happened?
Why do you think people are so quick to believe lies if they sound good?
Let’s talk Scripture
Read Genesis 3:1. Why do you think the serpent’s question (“Did God actually say…?”) was so powerful?
Read Genesis 3:7–8. What changed for Adam and Eve after they ate the fruit?
Read Genesis 3:23. What does it mean that God sent them out of the garden?

Leader Note: Big Truth to Remember → Sin always separates, but Jesus always restores.

GROW (Let It Sink In)
Make it personal
Why do you think we still believe the lie that life is better without God?
What’s one way you’ve seen sin bring separation in your life—maybe from God, friends, or even yourself?
How do you feel when you try to “hide” something from God?

Let’s talk honesty
When do you feel most tempted to believe lies instead of God’s truth?
What helps you trust God when you don’t feel like it?

GO (Live It Out)
Let’s Make a Plan
Follow up on last week's plan (what's one simple habit you can start this week to walk with Jesus.)
One Truth — What’s one truth from the Bible you need to remember when you’re tempted to doubt God?
One Step — What’s one way you can “run to Jesus” instead of hiding this week?
One Friend — Who’s one person you can be honest with about your struggles, instead of hiding?

Leader Note: Reinforce the action step → Run out of hiding. Run to Jesus. Encourage students to write down their 3 answers in their question guide.

PRAYER
Ask:
“What’s one area where you need Jesus to restore you this week?”
Close in prayer, or invite a student to pray. Ask God to help your group stop hiding and run to Jesus when they feel ashamed or distant.

Collect prayer requests on the form at the bottom of the page and submit. 

Note: There are a lot of questions here, so be aware of time. You don't need to hit every question in every category, but you need to make sure you're moving through each one. 

KNOW (Engage the Head)
Opening Reflection
When you think about Genesis 3, do you usually see it as just an old story—or as your story too? Why?
Why do you think every sin begins with doubting God’s Word or God’s goodness?

Dig into the Word
Read Genesis 3:1. What’s dangerous about the serpent’s question: “Did God actually say…?”
Read Genesis 3:7–8. Why do Adam and Eve hide? What does that reveal about how sin works in us?
Read Genesis 3:23. Why is being sent out of God’s presence the worst consequence of sin?
Read Ephesians 2:13. What does Jesus do that Adam and Eve could never do for themselves?

Leader Note: Push them to wrestle with why separation is the ultimate problem—not just guilt, not just rules, but distance from the God we were made for.

GROW (Engage the Heart)
Go Deeper
Why do you think we keep believing the lie that life is better apart from God—even when we know it hurts us?
Where in your life right now are you tempted to doubt God’s Word? Why that place in particular?
How have you seen sin create separation—between you and God, you and others, or even you and yourself?
Challenge Questions
If hiding is the natural response to shame, what does it look like to actually run to Jesus instead?
What lies about God are easiest for you to believe in high school culture (school, sports, friendships, online)?
Why is trusting God’s Word the only way to freedom—not just for you, but for people you influence?

Challenge Question
What helps you stay rooted in Jesus?
Who or what has helped you grow in your faith so far?
What do you need to leave behind to grow deeper this year?

GO (Engage the Hands)
Let’s Make it Practical
If sin brings separation and Jesus brings restoration—what’s one place this week you need to stop hiding and run to Him?
What would it look like to be the kind of student who helps others run to Jesus instead of away from Him?
If your friends looked at your life, would they see someone living separated… or restored?

Encourage students to write down:
🧍 One lie they tend to believe.
📖 One truth from Scripture that replaces it.
✝️ One step to run to Jesus instead of hiding this week.


PRAYER PROMPT
Ask:
“What’s one area of separation in your life you want Jesus to restore?”
Give space for honest prayer (silent or out loud). Close with a group prayer asking God to help students believe His truth over the serpent’s lies and run to Jesus in every area of life.

Collect prayer requests using the form at the bottom of the screen and submit.