Pastor John takes a unique approach to the study of Genesis 3 and 4 and focuses on the questions that God asks Adam, Eve, and Cain. Is God's question asking because He doesn't know the answers, or is it an invitation to a closer relationship with Him? John unpacks the questions God asks and invites us to consider our own answers to these questions.

The story of Eden isn’t just about a tree - it’s about a choice that still echoes through every human heart. Each day we stand between the tree of life and the tree of self-reliance, between trusting God’s definition of good and evil or trying to write our own. The serpent’s old lie still whispers that God is holding out on us, that His ways are too restrictive or that His goodness can’t be trusted. But God has never stopped being generous. The garden was overflowing then, and His grace is overflowing now. Through Jesus, the Tree of Life reappears - His cross becomes the place where death is undone, and true life begins again. And even now, God still walks in the garden calling, “Where are you?” Not to condemn us, but to invite us out of hiding, out of fear, out of the scarcity mindset that clings and takes - and into the freedom of trusting Him again.

At the heart of Genesis 1 and 2, we see that God designed humanity not for isolation, but for relationship - with Him and with one another. To be human is to live as His image bearers, reflecting His love, His creativity, and His purpose to each other and into the world. God declared that it was “not good” for us to be alone. We were created for companionship, for community - sharing life together as equals... God’s design in maleness and femaleness does not reflect a hierarchy, but as a corresponding strength together needed to complete the image of God’s character and purpose in our world…

I want you to see how perfect, purposeful, and beautiful life was designed to be… So far, we see the beauty, order, and purpose that God gives His Creation. Beyond God’s care for the earth, God lovingly sets mankind over it – but continues to live with him, providing for his needs, giving him meaningful work and responsibility, all the while being accessible to him for life, meaning, and community…

The intended purpose of humanity was to reflect the character and priorities of our Creator. To enjoy relationship with Him, with the created world, and with each other. The pre-fall creation was a place of harmony, order, beauty. Unfortunately, because of humanity’s sin and its effect on the world, a lot of the things that were created good, perfect, and beautiful have suffered and become disordered and deformed. But God didn’t just discard what He so lovingly designed and created. Instead, He intended to restore it…

God brings order out of chaos and fills it with purpose. Everything that God creates is created with care, given what it needs to thrive, and an environment to do it in… He loves creation so much that He wants creation to enjoy their existence under His loving care…

The story of the Bible is a story of redemption. It begins with freedom, harmony, belonging and life, but then rebellion and sin traps humanity in captivity, chaos, isolation and death. We were never intended to be slaves. We were created to live in peace and harmony and freedom with our Creator. Because of God’s great love for us, He enacted a plan to rescue, redeem and restore us to Himself…

Even some of those who profess faith and participate in Christian community look to faith as another good or service to consume, rather than looking at it as something to give themselves to. They want to enjoy the benefits of church or faith, without the commitment and contribution that it demands… But in doing so, they miss out on the real blessing of the Christian life. The benefit of faith is not only in what we receive from God, but also in what we give to Him and His Kingdom. Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive…”