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Adam and Eve were happy in the Garden of Eden, where God provided for all of their needs. God gave them only one rule: do not eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. The serpent came to Eve, tempted her with lies, and convinced her to eat from the tree. Then, Eve gave some of the fruit to Adam, and he also ate it. They both realized their sin and guilt for disobeying God at that point. For the first time, people experienced shame. Because of their sin, God banished Adam and Eve from the garden.

When teaching this lesson, emphasise that God loves us and makes rules that will help us be healthy and happy. Satan wants bad things to happen to us, so he tempts us to disobey God.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-24
• James 4:7

Outline:

1. God told Adam not to eat fruit from the dangerous tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Genesis 2:15-17)
2. Adam and Eve listen to the Snake and experience temptation, sin and shame. (Genesis 3:1-7)
3. God speaks with Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:8-13)
4. The consequences of their disobedience. (Genesis 3:14-24)

Tips for teaching children:

• Explain the words “temptation” and “sin”
• When you talk about the snake, wrap a chenille wire around your finger to form a “snake”. Alternatively, roll Play-Doh to form a snake.
• Try this activity to help children understand the idea of choosing between right and wrong. Provide two paper plates for each child. Help them draw a sad face on one and a happy face on the other. Describe a situation the children might find themselves in and state a dilemma and choice. Children should hold up the corresponding plate.
  
  

Tips for teaching adults:

• Bake two batches of your favourite cookies and bring them to class. One batch of cookies will be normal, but the other batch should be made with salt instead of sugar. When they take a bite, they will know how awful it tastes and will not eat it. This is your cue to introduce the class today to the Fall of Man. Tell the class that something may look good and desirable, but actually, it is not. This is the nature of sin. It promises life but ultimately brings death. Don’t forget to offer the class the good cookies afterwards.
• Ask the class to read Genesis 2:15-24 and discuss the following questions:
  • In what ways has God shown that he loves and cares for his creation and Adam and Eve?
  • “Has he shown his love and care for you in a similar way? Explain.”
• 1 John 2:15-16 is drawing upon the story in Genesis 3. Read this and then discuss:
  • What connections do you see between 1 John 2:16 and Genesis 3:6?
  • In what ways can we identify with Eve’s situation?
  • In what ways can we relate to 1 John 2:16?

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: The Fall of Man

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

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After spending six days creating the world, God considered the seventh day a special day to rest. God did not rest because He was tired; He did not become exhausted or run out of energy. God’s work of creation was perfect, and the seventh day was a day to reflect on what He had completed.

God also wants us to rest and consider His work and how He takes care of us.

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 1:1 and 2:1-3
• Isaiah 40:28-29 God does not become weary or run out of energy.
• Psalm 19:1-4 God rested, knowing the creation itself would point people to Him.
• Exodus 20:8-11 God later commanded His people to remember this seventh day as a day of rest.
• Psalm 23:1-2 As our shepherd, God provides safety, peace and rest.
• Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest.
• Psalm 148:7-13 A Psalm of reflection on God’s creation

Outline:

1. God created our world (Genesis 1:1)
2. God rested (Genesis 2:1-3)

Tips for teaching children:

• Spend time relaxing and reflecting on God and what He has done (play calming music, breathe deeply)
• Serve food (like ice cream) and savour each bite. Talk about the flavours and textures and how each bite makes you feel. Use this as a lead-in to taking time to think about things instead of just rushing through.

Tips for teaching adults:

• I would ask these questions in an adult class:
  • What do we learn about God in this text?
  • What do we learn about ourselves?
  • How has your life and work over the past 6 days blessed others?”
  • If resting on day 7 suggests that God is now present and ruling over his creation, then how can your life and work show that you believe God is in control and present in his world?
• Organise a day out on Saturday as a class to have a picnic and enjoy the day together. Spend some time thinking of ways you can re-organise your life so that you can enjoy more moments like these. Conclude your day together by thanking God for his care over his creation and that he has given you the opportunity to bless others through your work and life.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Day 7-God Rested

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org

Send us a Text Message.

On the last day of creation, God created animals. After this, it was finally time for God to create man and woman. There was something special about this last creature of creation. God created man and woman in His “own image.” As seen in Adam and Eve, people are distinct from animals and have a have a special relationship and partnership with God.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Genesis 1:24-31; 2:7, 18-25

Other helpful verses about animals:

• They belong to God: Job 12:7-10; Psalm 50:10-11
• Praise God for His care of creation. Psalm 145
• Used to describe peace. Isaiah 11:6-9
• Kindness towards animals. Exodus 23:5; Proverbs 12:10; Proverbs 27:23
• Examples of truths. Job 12:7-10; Job 35:11; Proverbs 30:24-31; Matthew 10:29-31; James 3:7-10
• God knows us. Psalm 139:13-16

Outline:

1. God created animals (Genesis 1:24-25)
2. God created people (Genesis 1:26-27)
3. God blessed what he created (Genesis 1:28-31)

Tips for teaching children:

• Play a game where one child makes an animal sound, and the other children guess the animal.
• Show illustrations of the human body. This might include the skeleton, muscles, etc.
• Talk about how amazing God’s creation of the human body is. Take a pulse or listen to a heartbeat.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Psalm 8 is a beautiful reflection on Genesis 1. I suggest asking one person to read verses 1-2, another to read verses 3-8, and then the first reader to read the last verse. Ask the class to discuss the relationship between God, humans, and animals. How does this make you feel? How can you exercise your care over the creation in a way that honours God and reflects his wisdom?
• Project: Organise a project to clean up and beautify a park. This project can include children. Beautifying a park may involve picking up rubbish, clearing out dead plants, removing dead limbs, and planting new things appropriate to the park. Afterwards, meet somewhere and reflect on this project in light of Genesis 1:26-31. Ask the group, “ How were we partnering with God in taking care of his creation?”
• Research the prayer of St. Basil the Great, (influential 4th-century Christian leader, teacher and preacher) and his prayer about animals.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Day 6- God Created Animals and People

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org