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Introduction: The Bible does not tell us a lot about Eve, but the little bit of information we do get, paints a picture of how our faith in God should be. Eve, in spite of her sin never gives up on God and He returns her faithfulness by never leaving her. Eve had it all and Eve lost it all. Who would blame her for losing her faith and trust in God and yet she did not. Even after she was banished from Eden and became the mother of a murderer, she still maintained her faith. How often do we as women lose our faith over much smaller things? Scriptures: Genesis 2: 21-25, Genesis 3: 1-24 Genesis 4: 1-2, 25, 5: 3-4 The Study: I. Genesis 2: 21-25 God made Adam a partner. He made an equal for Adam, someone to share in his dominion over the animals, to share his life with. God created these two in His own image and had a close relationship with them. We can only begin to imagine what this time must have been like. Long walks in the garden chatting with God, no shame or embarrassment over their nudity. Eve did not wonder, am I too fat or I am having a bad hair day. All was perfect, the way God wanted life to be like for His children. Their relationship was the perfect marriage, marriage as God ordained it. Eve was Adamï¿½s equal, his helper, another human like him, yet unlike him. Eve was especially created from Adamï¿½s rib, closest to his heart, signifying the closeness of the relationship between man and woman. Theirs was a marriage truly made in heaven, signaling we cannot be all God intended us to be until we become with Him. God used Adam and Eve to establish marriage as a divine institution. Question to Ponder: 1. What is my view of marriage? Do I see it as a divine institution established by God or as a secular institution that is easily dissolved if I am unhappy? II. Genesis 3:1-8 God gave Eve the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and make a decision. When the serpent approached her, she had this ability. Eve chose to listen to and engage the serpent in a dialogue. By making this choice, she started a journey down the path of evil. She was no longer following the will of God. Once in the discussion the serpent was able to plant seeds of doubt. Eve began to think about what she did not have. Then like us, her eyes left her blessings and lingered on the deprivation Satan had planted. She began to question God. Eve and Adam sinned by succumbing to the temptation and questioning God. Her sin introduced a barrier between Eve and God, and between Eve and Adam. The unity they shared was shattered and conflict became a part of their lives. Question to Ponder: 1. Do I begin to doubt God and all He has given me in favor of things of the world, Satan has put before me? III. Genesis 3: 7-16, 4: 1-2, 4:25 Eve and Adam had sinned. Their firs inclination is to hide and deny what they had done. Adam blamed God and Eve. Eve blamed the serpent. When they accepted responsibility for their sin, the world they had enjoyed ended. Like Eve, we need to accept responsibility for our sins and face the consequences of our actions in faith. Eve never faltered in her belief that God would never forsake her, and to affirm her faith He never left her. Eve also reminds us to forgive ourselves and be an example of forgiveness for others. Eve rose above her transgressions thereby revealing the Father. She shows us faith in the Son of God will save us. Questions to Ponder: 1. When faced with transgressions and hardships do I give up on Jesus in favor of my own futile actions? 2. Do I decide God is no longer with me when I have sinned? 3. Do I face the consequences of my sin and forgive myself as God forgives me? 4. Do I accept responsibility for my sin or try to shift the blame elsewhere? Conclusion: Because of the relationship Eve shared with God before and after the fall, we have inherited the desire for oneness with God. Eve showed us the right place to search, but it is up to us to follow her lead and look for the same oneness with God that we seek in others. Only when we do this are we truly fulfilled in our relationship with God. Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for loving me in spite of my transgressions and failing. Please continue to guide me away from temptations and into your loving embrace. Encourage my desire for oneness with You so that I will ask for it. In Jesus Name. Amen.