PDF of all lessons should be available soon on our resources page, as well as out handout page (underlined words are blanks for class to fill out while following along).

I. The cherubim that guard Eden (Genesis 3:24)
    A.  What is a cherubim?
          1.  The name itself is something of a mystery.
          2.  The singular form of the world, Cherub, may come   
               from an old Hebrew word that means "like a child."
               a.  This is probably why some have depicted
                    cherubim as children.
                b.  However, no reference of the cherubim describe
                     them this way.
           3.   Most references to cherubim in the Bible have to  
                 do with the design of the ark of the covenant.
           4.   Cherubim in the Bible always have wings.
                a.  In some biblical descriptions, cherubim have 4
                     wings.
                 b.  In some biblical descriptions, cherubim have 2 
                      wings.
            5.   Cherubim seem to have a special responsibility to  
                  guard places or people.
                  a.    Interestingly, many ancient cultures around 
                         the world have used similar figures in art and
                         architect that depict peculiar figures that guard
                         thrones, entry ways to holy places and other 
                         important buildings.
                               1)   These often have the face of a man,
                                     the body of a lion or an ox, and a 
                                     wings.
                                2)   Ezekiel and John both have visions of 
                                      cherubim that use some similar
                                      imagery.
                                        a)            Ezekiel 1:5-11
                                        b)            Ezekiel 10:14
                                        c)            Revelation 4:7,8
     B.   What are these cherubim doing?
             1.   Keeping the way of the tree of life.
                     a.   What is the tree of life?
                                1)    The tree that Adam and Eve ate from,
                                        disobeying God's command, was the
                                        tree of knowledge of good and evil.
                                 2)    Apparently, before the fall, they had 
                                        access to the tree of life. (Genesis
                                        2:9, 16-17)
                       b.      Why must it be guarded?            
                                 1)     After eating of the tree of 
                                         knowledge of good and evil, 
                                         however, the tree of life was
                                         definitely off limits (3:22).

                                  2)    It appears as though if Adam and
                                         Eve could have eaten from the tree
                                         of life, their bodies would not have
                                         died as God had told them it would 
                                         (Genesis 2:17).
                                           a)  We understand this death to be 
                                                a spiritual death (Romans 5:12,
                                                6:23)
                                           b)   But apparently the beginning of
                                                 the process of physical  death
                                                 was also part of the curse.
             2.   It is not clear to us exactly why they are on the 
                   east side only.
             3.   It is not clear to us what the flaming sword is.
                      a.   Interestingly, it appears to be a single 
                            sword.
                      b.   There are many theories and 
                            interpretations, but we simply                        
                            don't know.
     C.    Are they still there today?
               1.    Most likely, the garden was buried in the flood
                      (Genesis 6:17).
                        a.   Even though plant life was destroyed, 
                              obviously, seeds still sprung up all over
                              after the flood, and new plant life emerged.
                         b.   It seems possible that the tree of life 
                               would have been able to produce as well if
                               it gave off seed, but we don't know.
                         c.   For this reason, God may have 
                               transported the tree to heaven (Revelation
                               2:7, 22:2, 22:14)
                 2.   The tree of life is used metaphorically 
                        throughout scripture.
                          a.   Of wisdom (Proverbs 3:18)
                          b.   Of the Fruit of the righteous/winning souls
                                (Proverbs 11:30)
                          c.   Of desire/hope that comes to pass 
                                (Proverbs 13:12)
                          d.   Of a wholesome tongue (Proverbs 15:4)
      D.            Conclusion:
                  1.   "Angels" may not be an accurate way to
                         describe the cherubim that "keep the way of
                         the tree of life"
                   2.   In Genesis 3.  However, the cherubim appear 
                         to be heavenly "beasts" that are created for
                         specific jobs that bring honor and glory to God
                         and proclaim His holiness. 
                   3.   It is not clear if there are a whole "species" of 
                         these beings or if the same cherubim that
                         guarded the tree of life in the garden of Eden
                         are the same cherubim that Ezekiel saw and
                         that John saw in their visions. 
                    4.  Perhaps one day we will see them in Heaven, 
                         still guarding the tree of life.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Here is a really simple and inexpensive game!  It's really nothing like hockey, but we don't know what else to call it.  We had a good time with it and would definitely do it again.  As seen in the picture above, we didn't actually use pool noodles (hard to purchase here in the winter), but instead we rolled up paper and taped it together.  The rule was that the "hockey stick" you have gets damaged or falls apart, you have to keep using it as is.

Items needed:
1.  Pool noodles for every player
2.  Soft, light-weight ball or balloon (have plenty of extra balloons because they could pop)
3.  Goal post marking for each side
 
Objective:
1.  Get ball/balloon to your goal which is defended by opposing team.
2.  Earn 1 point for each goal. 
3.  Team with the most points at the end of game wins.
 
Rules:
1.  Ball/balloon is dropped into center of center line at the beginning of each quarter and after each point is scored.
2.  Each half is 10 minutes long with 2.5 minute breaks.  Teams switch sides at half time.
 
Fouls:
1.  If ball/balloon is moved forward by anything other than a noodle (such as hands, feet, or head), the ball/balloon will be stopped where foul was committed and opposing side will get possession (play starts when ball/balloon is hit with noodle).
2.  If any player strikes opponent with noodle (unless noodle makes contact with ball/balloon during swing), the ball/balloon will be stopped where foul was committed and opposing side will get possession (play starts when ball/balloon is hit with noodle).
3.  If ball/balloon is "carried" instead of struck, the ball/balloon will be stopped where foul was committed and opposing side will get possession (play starts when ball/balloon is hit with noodle).