The Anglican Church of Nations Sunday School Lesson For February 8, 2026: Title - God’s Commanded Blessings to Man in the Garden of Eden

TACN SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON 5 – Sunday, 8th February 2026

TOPIC: God’s Commanded Blessings to Man in the Garden of Eden

BIBLE TEXT: Genesis 1:26–28

MEMORY VERSE:

Genesis 1:28 — “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.”

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, participants should be able to:

Identify God’s commanded blessings given to man in the Garden of Eden.

Explain the significance of these commanded blessings to humanity.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The Holy Bible

Sunday School Manual

A chart of Genesis 1:28 titled “The Commanded Blessings”

INTRODUCTION

Man was created by God in a state of perfection and given the responsibility of representing God on earth as His steward. To enable man fulfil this responsibility, God released specific commanded blessings upon humanity. These blessings were not optional but divinely ordained instructions that empowered man to function effectively on earth. This lesson examines these commanded blessings and their significance to mankind.

SUBJECT MATTER

God’s Commanded Blessings in the Garden of Eden

Genesis 1:28 is a key verse in the creation account. After creating man and woman in His image, God blessed them and issued clear instructions that defined humanity’s purpose and responsibility on earth. These commanded blessings include:

“God blessed them and said to them”

This reveals God’s divine approval, authority, and empowerment given to humanity. God’s direct communication with man highlights the personal relationship He established with His creation.

“Be fruitful and multiply”

This command emphasizes reproduction and the expansion of the human race. God intended humanity to grow and fill the earth. This mandate was later reaffirmed in Genesis 9:1 after the flood, showing its enduring importance.

“Fill the earth”

Humanity was instructed to inhabit and make full use of the earth. This reflects God’s intention for man to explore, develop, and utilize the resources He provided.

“Subdue it”

To subdue the earth means to bring order, cultivation, and development to creation. This is part of the cultural mandate that assigns humanity the role of stewardship—caring for and managing the earth responsibly (Psalm 8:6–8).

“Have dominion over every living thing”

God granted man authority over all living creatures. This dominion is not for abuse but for responsible leadership, management, and wise use of God’s creation.

IMPORTANCE OF THESE COMMANDED BLESSINGS

The command to be fruitful and multiply is a blessing that guarantees growth and prosperity for humanity.

Subduing the earth and exercising dominion emphasizes responsible stewardship of God’s creation.

Being created in God’s image gives humanity a unique position to reflect God’s authority and care on earth.

These blessings extend beyond physical multiplication to spiritual multiplication, including spreading the Gospel.

Dominion must be exercised with compassion, wisdom, and respect for all of God’s creation.

APPLICATION

Believers in Christ are encouraged to:

Be fruitful by raising godly families and producing righteous lives.

Manage and care for the earth responsibly.

Reflect God’s authority and character in daily living.

Engage in spiritual multiplication through evangelism and discipleship.

Demonstrate God’s love, compassion, and integrity in all aspects of life.

EVALUATION

Mention the commanded blessings found in Genesis 1:28.

State three reasons why these commanded blessings are important.

CONCLUSION

God’s commanded blessings were given to humanity to ensure purposeful and successful living. Believers in Christ are especially privileged, as they are empowered to fully walk in these blessings through Christ. There is no justification for failure, mediocrity, or a defeated life. This lesson serves as a reminder that we are created in God’s image, divinely mandated, and blessed for glorious living on earth. May our lives continually align with God’s purpose and never fall short of His original design.