Good Work - Day 06
Day 06 - Monday, September 23
Read Genesis 3
Highlight
Genesis 3 recounts the fall of humanity. Adam and Eve disobey God's command by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This act of disobedience introduces sin into the world, resulting in various curses, including a curse on work. In Genesis 3:17-19, God tells Adam, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground."
Here, we see that work itself is not the curse. The ground is cursed, making work more difficult and laborious. Before the fall, Adam was already given the task of tending the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). Work was intended to be a fulfilling and joyful activity. The fall introduced hardship and frustration into the equation, but the original purpose of work remains. Throughout this week we’ll explore how work, though cursed, is not the curse itself. By aligning our work with God's purposes and seeing it as an act of worship, we can find joy, fulfillment, and eternal significance in our daily tasks. May you be encouraged to see your work through the lens of faith, knowing that while your work may be difficult it is not in vain when done for the Lord.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Genesis 3
Highlight
Genesis 3 recounts the fall of humanity. Adam and Eve disobey God's command by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This act of disobedience introduces sin into the world, resulting in various curses, including a curse on work. In Genesis 3:17-19, God tells Adam, "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground."
Here, we see that work itself is not the curse. The ground is cursed, making work more difficult and laborious. Before the fall, Adam was already given the task of tending the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15). Work was intended to be a fulfilling and joyful activity. The fall introduced hardship and frustration into the equation, but the original purpose of work remains. Throughout this week we’ll explore how work, though cursed, is not the curse itself. By aligning our work with God's purposes and seeing it as an act of worship, we can find joy, fulfillment, and eternal significance in our daily tasks. May you be encouraged to see your work through the lens of faith, knowing that while your work may be difficult it is not in vain when done for the Lord.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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