2 nd /3 rd Grade Sep 9 Adam and Eve Bible Verse But the Lord told him, You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden except the one that has the power to let you know the difference between right and wrong. If you eat any fruit from that tree, you will die before the day is over. (Genesis 2:15-17) Teacher Enrichment This is the second lesson in the Old School: Lessons from the Old Testament series which examines many well-known stories from the Old Testament. Each week will explore how God is revealed through the events and characters of a Bible story. This series will build a base of Old Testament Bible knowledge for children. Genesis, chapter 2 provides an alternate creation story from that of chapter 1 that includes Adam, Eve and the Garden of Eden. The consistent note between the two versions is that God created everything in the world, including humans. However, the story of Adam and Eve provides a lesson on temptation facing it, giving in to it and suffering the consequences of that decision. God made one rule in the Garden of Eden one rule and Adam and Eve both chose to break it. The consequence was banishment from the Garden and a lifetime of struggle. Children face temptation on a regular basis. As they get older, the sources of temptation become more varied and the consequences often become more significant. Helping children recognize temptation and giving them God-based strategies to resist, can aid them in making positive choices. As Adam and Eve left paradise in disgrace, God chose to show compassion and clothe them. Banishment from the Garden did not mean banishment from God. Even when we fall short, as we all will, God s love remains steadfast. Through this lesson children will learn temptation means facing a choice that may bring temporary satisfaction, but is ultimately not in alignment with God s commandments. They will learn to rely on God s direction to avoid giving in to temptation. Children will also learn that while making wrong choices does result in consequences, God remains by our side, provides forgiveness and continues to love us.
Before Class Begins Place the Sign In sheet and a pen where parents can see it upon arrival. Place the Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards and pens where students can see them upon arrival. Check that you have supplies for this lesson: Arrival Activity, Adam & Eve activity sheet 1 per child Tree Trunk Paper 1 per child Apple cutouts 1 per child Place an arrival activity at each place on the table. Welcome SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards, Attendance chart, stickers, pens, Adam & Eve activity sheet, pencils, markers Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name. Help children find or add their name on the attendance chart. Provide each child with a sticker to place in today s column on the attendance chart. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express. Collect completed Joy & Concern cards. Encourage children to complete a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. Children should keep their own completed Time and Talent cards. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to complete Adam & Eve activity sheet. Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your classroom by asking about their week including school, activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships. Children s Worship SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards
The Children s Worship Leader will direct your class to come to Ruth Hall at 9:20 or 11:05. Bring the Sign In sheet and completed Joy & Concern cards to Ruth Hall. Hand the Joy & Concern cards to the Children s Worship leader as you arrive. Have children bring their completed Time & Talent cards and any monetary offering. If additional children arrive while in Ruth Hall, have parents complete the Sign In sheet and remind parents that pickup is in Room 105. Encourage children to participate in Children s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Assist the Children s Worship leader as needed. At the conclusion of Children s Worship, have children line up and return to Room 105. The Lesson SUPPLIES: Tree trunk paper, Apple cutouts, crayons/markers/colored pencils, glue, scissors Have children remain standing and join you on the carpet area. SAY: Today we learned about Adam and Eve and temptation. I m curious what types of things tempt you guys so we are going to play a game called Tempted or Not. Designate one side of the carpeted area Tempted and the other side Not Tempted. Read each of the items or scenarios and direct children to move to the appropriate side based on their preferences. SAY: For this first set, would you be tempted to eat these foods if I put a plate of them in front of you? Brownies Ice Cream Broccoli Pizza Pizza with Anchovies Brussel Sprouts Bacon
SAY: This next set, would you be tempted to buy these items if I gave you $200? Play Station Game New Purse Tickets to a Nationals game Earrings Brussel Sprouts Whole Set of Harry Potter Series books Cell Phone SAY: So far, being tempted by these things eating them or buying them doesn t really have any bad consequences. Maybe an upset tummy if you ate too many brownies. Or you no longer have the $200 if you bought a new cell phone. But the consequences aren t too bad. Let s try some other situations. Tell me if you might be tempted to do these things. (Remind them that being tempted to do something doesn t mean you think the thing is okay or right; it just means it s tempting) Lie to your parent so you don t get in trouble for something. Look at your classmates answers on a test because you forgot to study. You ll be in trouble at home if you get a bad grade. Ignore a classmate because everyone else says they are weird. If you talk to them, your classmates will say you are weird too. Sneak some of that delicious candy your mom keeps in the pantry. There s a whole bag she ll never know if one or two are missing. Tell your dad you read for 20 minutes even though you only read for 5 minutes and then daydreamed for the other 15 minutes. What difference does it make no one will ever know. SAY: Hmm, doing some of these things might have bigger consequences than an upset stomach. We all know that doing these things is wrong, but STILL, it can be tempting to make these bad choices. Adam and Eve knew eating the fruit was a bad choice, but they gave in to the temptation and they ate the fruit anyway. They knew they had broken God s rule and there would be consequences. ASK: Have you ever been tempted to make a bad choice? Were you able to resist or did you give in? Were there consequences? Allow children to share their experiences.
ASK: How could God help you escape or resist temptation? (Prayer, read Bible for direction, consider God s commandments, ask questions of parents/teachers/pastor) SAY: Today we are going to make a craft to help us remember the temptations we may face and to rely on God to resist them. It will also help us remember that even when we fall short, God still provides us with forgiveness and love. Show children the sample craft. Have children move from the carpet to seats at the table. Give each child a Tree Trunk paper and an Apple cutout. Direct children to write temptations they have faced on their apples. Remind them of the examples from the game and the discussion. Direct children to draw the green part of their tree, then cut out apples and glue them onto their tree. Closing Lead the children in a closing prayer. You may say your own prayer, ask one of the children to say a prayer or use the one below. God, Please help us when we face temptation. Help us to resist temptation and to make good choices. Amen If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to their Adam & Eve activity sheet if they did not complete it. Also encourage conversation between children and with you. This is another opportunity to build relationships with the children in your classroom!
Apple Tree Craft Lead me not into temptation. Matthew 6:13