Gen. 2.8-9; Gen. 2.15-17; Gen. 3.1-5; Gen. 3.14-15; Rom. 5.17-18

We learn in Genesis that God created Adam as the first man. Adam was the prototype, but unfortunately sin and death entered the world through his disobedience. God promised though that one of Eve’s offspring would crush the serpent’s head. Jesus came to fulfill that promise. Jesus conquered death, and through his obedience he brings life and forgiveness of sin. We can always be sure of God’s word!

Key Verse

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ”

– 2 Corinthians 1.20a (NLT)

Lesson

Explain to the kids that each week you’re looking at a story from the Old Testament* that points to Jesus. It’s often helpful to briefly review the previous week’s lesson.

Lesson Intro (2 Truths and a Lie)

Supplies: None.

Have three of the adults in the room come up and share three things about themselves. Two things must be true statements but one must be a false statement (not in that particular order). The aim of the game is for the kids to try to guess which statement was false. You could do it in three rounds and choose three kids as ‘contestants’ to try to guess, or you could have the group vote on what they think is the lie. At the end of each round the  adult reveals which was the lie.

Explain to the kids that it isn’t always easy to know when something is true or not. One thing we can always be sure of is God’s word! In today’s story we see that it’s always better to trust what God says.

Bible story.

Supplies: Twisting balloon

Read the first passage: Genesis 2.8-9 

Emphasize for the kids how great it must have been for Adam in the garden! Explain that Adam had everything he needed and he had a great relationship with God.

Read the next passage: Genesis 2.15-17 

Briefly review this section by asking the kids what God told Adam to do and what he told him not to do.

Read the next passage: Genesis 3.1-5 

A fun prop to have for this portion would be a balloon snake with legs twisted into the balloon. Later, when God curses the serpent you can pop the legs of the snake with a pin for dramatic effect! Explain to the kids that what the serpent said sounded like the truth. How could Adam and Eve have known that it was a lie? Because it went against what God told them and God is good and would never lie to us. We can always be sure of God’s word! Tell the kids that sadly Adam and Eve didn’t obey and they ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In that moment everything went wrong and they became wicked and guilty. Afterward God came and spoke to them in the garden and this is what he said to the serpent…

Read the next passage: Genesis 3.14-15 

If you’re using the balloon snake at this point you can repeat verse 14 and pop the legs of the snake. If the legs are twisted properly the rest of the snake shouldn’t deflate when you pop the legs. Explain to the kids that there is a promise from God in verse 15. God promised that one day a man would be born and the snake would strike his heal but that he who would would crush the serpents head. Explain to them that the serpent represents Satan and that crushing the serpents head is a way of saying that Satan will be defeated and will no longer be able to trick people.

That’s a big promise. Remember though that we said that we can always be sure of God’s word! Ask the children who they think the snake-crusher is that God was talking about? He was talking about his Son Jesus. Paul, who was one of Jesus’ apostles, talks about how Jesus is like a new Adam. He is a new first man who never makes a mistake and who conquers death.

Read the next passage: Romans 5.17-18 

As you read explain that one man refers to Adam; death reigned means that we all have sin in our hearts; God’s abundant provision of grace refers to the promise that God made; and one righteous act refers to Jesus giving us new life.

Application

What does it mean for us to be sure of God’s word? None of us have a tree of knowledge of good and evil in our garden but we’re all faced with temptation** every day. When we make mistakes God still loves us and we can trust in Jesus to forgive our sins. When he starts making our hearts new he also teaches us how we should live. Some simple ways that we can be sure of God’s word is trusting him to look after us, knowing that he’s with us when we’re feeling sad or lonely, or giving him thanks when good things happen to us.

Prayer: Pray that we would allow Jesus to shape us and give us wisdom to know when and how to trust him. Thank God that he loves each of us so much that he’s given us the opportunity to live for him! 

* Old Testament: The first part of the Bible that tells the story of God’s people and explains his promise. 

** Temptation: When we really want to do something that we know we should not do.

Featured Image Credit: Adam and Eve by Jacob Jordaens, 1640s