Sin’s trap
key words
biblical reference
Genesis 2:16-17 and 3:1-24; Romans 3:23 and 5:8.
lesson objective
To learn that sin separates us from God, and we must decide to strengthen our relationship with the Lord.
memory verse
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
It is important that your students understand that we all face different temptations. Now that young people begin to make more important decisions, they must be alert not to fall into the trap of sin.
Explain that sometimes temptation is presented in a very subtle way, making us believe that there is nothing wrong with it. However, the results are tragic and always affect the lives of other people.
Since sin entered the world, human beings have been inclined towards disobedience and evil. Only through the grace of God can we have our relationship with him restored and find forgiveness for our sins.
biblical commentary
Read Genesis 2:16-17 and 3:1-24. If God’s creation is so wonderful, where did evil come from? These passages answer the question. The verses clearly show us that God is not responsible for the wickedness of the world. He gave Adam and Eve wonderful gifts. The Garden of Eden was a perfect place to live, and he gave them the freedom to make their own decisions. In addition, they could eat all the fruits of the garden, except one.
But, Satan disguised as a snake knew how to tempt them. Appealing to human appetites, he offered the fruit to Eve and aroused in her the desire for wisdom and power.
At first, the idea did not seem to please Eve. However, as the snake continued to speak to her, her heart became convinced of his lies, and she deliberately disobeyed God. From that moment, the change in the history of humanity was drastic. Sin separated humans from God. Fear, shame, anxiety and worry were then present in Adam and Eve’s lives.
The weakness of Adam and Eve has caused thousands of years of pain, tears, wars and suffering. The Bible is clear when it says that God does not tolerate sin, and that the wages of sin is death. However, God does not leave his people without hope. Through Jesus, sinners can receive forgiveness and have their relationship with God restored.
introduce the lesson
Temptation
Write each of the following questions on small pieces of paper:
What does “temptation” mean?
How can preadolescents push others to fall into temptation?
What are some bad temptations for preadolescents?
What kind of people face temptation?
What does the trap of temptation mean?
If you think of other questions, use them also.
Fold the pieces of paper, and insert each one into a balloon. Inflate the balloons and hang them around the room.
Allow students to pop a balloon and answer the question that they get. After listening to the answers, state that today’s story tells us about a couple who faced temptation.
teach the lesson
The big temptation
Ask your group to pay special attention to the techniques or ways the tempter used to convince Adam and Eve to disobey God.
Assign two students to read Genesis 2:16-17 and Genesis 3:1-19 aloud, while others listen or follow along. Finally, read Genesis 3:22-24 phrase by phrase with the students repeating what you read. Ask the following questions and discuss the students’ answers.
What gifts did God give to Adam and Eve?
What techniques did the snake or Satan use to tempt them?
What was it that convinced them to disobey?
What were the results of Adam and Eve’s disobedience?
connect the lesson
Beware of the trap!
Ask your students to go to Student Activity Sheet #339-A, and there they will find their way through the traps of temptation. Have them read the Bible verses to see what temptations Adam and Eve faced.
Talk about the sins that Adam and Eve committed when they fell into the trap of temptation (for example: disobedience, rebellion, distrust of God, etc.).
Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give them time to discuss the possible answers to the question “How does God help us when we are tempted?” Then they can write their conclusions in the space provided on Student Activity Sheet #339-B. Look at Student Activity Sheet #339-C to see “What happens if you fail?” It shows how you can restore your relationship with God.
practice the memory verse
Write the memory verse on the board (Psalm 139:13-14), and read it together. Then repeat it as you erase it word by word, until the board is empty and students can say the text by memory.
Ask several students to repeat the memory verse. Then congratulate them. Finally, say the memory verse as group.
wrap-up
Pray
Pray for any needs expressed by the group. Be sure to thank God that he made us special.
Encourage
Encourage the group by singing songs of praise before saying goodbye.
Invite
Ask the students to investigate an animal that is in danger of extinction during the week so that they can then tell the group about it in the next session. Remind them that friends are welcome.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™