How did the serpent get into the Garden of Eden? It seems like a simple question—but the answer opens up much bigger questions about evil, suffering, and the spiritual world. In Part 1, Pastors Steve and Luke lay the groundwork by exploring what existed before creation: the Heavenly Host, the "sons of God" (Bene Elohim), and the unseen realm of divine beings. Drawing heavily from Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm, they examine what Scripture says about the hierarchy of the spiritual world and why God created beings with free will—setting the stage for the serpent's appearance in Genesis 3.

People's Questions Answered

Anonymous: "How did the serpent get into the garden?" (Genesis 3) — Continued in Episode 8

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction

• [01:00] How Did the Serpent Get Into the Garden? (Anonymous)

• [01:52] What Existed Before Creation? — The Heavenly Host

• [02:19] The Sons of God (Bene Elohim) — Job 38:4-7

• [05:44] How God and the Sons of God Relate — Psalm 82

• [07:02] Are These "Divine Beings" Polytheism? Clarifying the Hebrew

• [10:06] How Novel Is This Interpretation? On Michael Heiser

• [11:24] Humans as "Middle Creatures" — The Symmetry Between Heavenly and Earthly Sons of God

• [14:27]Free Will: The Key to the Serpent Question

• [15:47] Cliffhanger — Continued in Episode 8

Resources Mentioned

The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser — A deep dive into the spiritual world and divine beings as described in Scripture

Practicing Christian Doctrine by Beth Felker Jones — Includes the description of humans as "middle creatures" between the purely spiritual and purely physical The Liberating Image by J. Richard Middleton — On humans bearing the divine image as vocation

Key Scripture References

• Job 38:4-7
• Psalm 82:1
• Psalm 89
• Psalm 29
• Psalm 2
• Genesis 1 & 3
• Genesis 6
• Judges 10:6
• Colossians 1:16
• Jude
• 2 Peter

Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.

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Raising hands, kneeling, dancing like David—is expressive worship something all Christians should do? In this episode, Pastor Steve and Pastor Chuck explore what worship really means (hint: it's more than singing!), dig into Hebrew words for praise from the Psalms, and discuss the story of David dancing before the Lord while his wife Michal watched in disgust. If you've ever felt self-conscious about being expressive in worship, this episode offers both biblical grounding and practical encouragement.

People's Questions Answered

From Cindy: "Growing up in church, I didn't see physical outward signs of worship (for example, raising of hands or dancing like David). Am I missing out in my worship? What scriptural guidance can you suggest?"

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction

• [00:56] Am I Missing Out in Worship? (Cindy's Question)

• [01:24] What Is Worship? — Romans 12:1-2

• [03:29] Worship in Spirit and Truth — John 4:23-24

• [06:46] Hebrew Words for Worship in the Psalms

• [10:50] David Dancing Before the Lord — 2 Samuel 6

• [14:08] What's Keeping You From Being More Expressive?

• [16:25] Closing & How to Submit Questions

Hebrew Words for Worship

• Halal — To brag, boast, celebrate, or "act clamorously foolish" (Psalm 150). This is where we get "Hallelujah."

• Barak — To kneel; to recognize one's position in relation to God (Psalm 95:6)

• Zamar — To sing praises (Psalm 7:17)

• Nephesh — Often translated "soul," but means the whole self— everything that I am (Psalm 103:1)

Key Scripture References

• Romans 12:1-2
• John 4:23-24
• Hebrews 12:28
• Psalm 103:1
• Psalm 150
• Psalm 95:6
• Psalm 134:2
• Psalm 143:6
• Psalm 7:17
• 2 Samuel 6:14-22
• 1 Timothy 2:8

Connect With Us

Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.

You know Jesus has forgiven you—so why is it so hard to forgive yourself? In this episode, Pastor Steve and Jenny Elliott explore the roots of guilt and shame all the way back to the Garden of Eden, and offer practical tools for breaking free. They unpack the difference between conviction (from God) and condemnation (from the enemy), share four steps for overcoming shame, and remind us that Jesus literally "shamed shame" on the cross.

People's Questions AnsweredFrom Josh: "Once you are saved and you sin, what are some ways that can help you forgive yourself? Understanding that Jesus has forgiven you, but you can't or have a hard time forgiving yourself."

Episode Timestamps• [00:00] Introduction• [00:51] How Do You Forgive Yourself? (Josh's Question)• [01:16] Back to the Garden: Where Guilt and Shame Began• [03:51] Conviction vs. Condemnation• [06:14] Practical Steps for Overcoming Shame• [09:55] Seek Forgiveness from Others• [12:14] Jesus Shamed Shame — Hebrews 12:2• [13:29] Closing & How to Submit Questions

Four Steps for Overcoming Shame1. Name it and normalize it — Bring shame into the light (Ephesians 5:13). Be vulnerable with safe people in your life.2. Practice self-compassion — Ask yourself, "Would Jesus be speaking to me the same way I'm speaking to myself?"3. Seek forgiveness — If your shame is tied to something you did to someone else, go to that person and ask for forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24).4. Remember that Jesus shamed shame — On the cross, Jesus scorned shame once and for all (Hebrews 12:2). Shame has no power over you.

Resources Mentioned• The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson — Explores how shame affects our identity and how the gospel frees us from it

Key Scripture References

• Genesis 3 (the Fall)
• Romans 2:4 • Ephesians 5:13
• John 8 (woman caught in adultery) • Ephesians 1-2 (identity in Christ)
• Matthew 5:23-24
• Romans 12:18
• Hebrews 12:2

Connect With UsSubmit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text "podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!