Week 2: Listening to the Creator
God Listened First
Week 2, Day 3
Made in God’s image, we were designed to be in relationship. And our Creator modeled this relationship, starting in the Garden of Eden. We are familiar with the story of the fall of man—sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command. Today, we are going to focus on the interaction and relationship between the Creator and the created as seen in the following four verses: Genesis 3:8-11 (ESV). 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
What did Adam and Eve hear (v. 8)? What do you think it sounded like?
How do you think they reacted to the same sound before that day?
Why did they hide that time (Gen. 3:10)?
Do we ever hide when we don’t want to listen to what we know we need to hear?
What do you think Adam and Eve expected to be the first words out of God’s mouth?
What did God say?
But didn’t God already know the answer?
After Adam answers the first question, God again asks a question to which He already knows the answer (v. 11). Why?
Listening is about relationship. Our Creator longs to be in relationship with us. He wants us to listen to Him (a practice we are learning), but He also wants to listen to us—to engage in conversation. Today, even though God already knows what is on your heart, I encourage you to engage in conversation with Him through prayer. Talk with the Creator. Allow Him to listen to you. And take turns listening to Him.
Additional thoughts, notes, or drawings from listening to the Creator:
We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.
This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.