The Fall Of Man (Continued) Basic 2 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Define the following terms: Disobedience and Punishment
2. Explain the disobedience of Adam and Eve
3. Discuss the punishment God gave to Adam, Eve and the Serpent

Introduction

Last week we learned how God created Adam and Eve perfectly. Today we will learn about the sad day when they disobeyed God and brought sin into the world.

Lesson Content

Important Definitions:

Disobedience:

• Not doing what you are told to do
• Breaking rules or commands
• Choosing to do wrong when you know what is right
• Not listening to authority (parents, teachers, God)

Punishment:

• The consequence that comes when we do wrong
• What happens when we break rules
• The penalty for disobedience
• Something unpleasant that follows bad choices

Life in the Garden of Eden Before Sin:

• Adam and Eve lived in a perfect, beautiful garden
• They had everything they needed
• They were naked but not ashamed
• They talked with God in the cool of the day
• There was no sickness, pain, or death
• They were perfectly happy

God’s One Rule (Genesis 2:16-17):

• God told Adam and Eve: “You may eat from every tree in the garden”
• “But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”
• “If you eat from it, you will surely die”
• This was the only rule God gave them

The Disobedience of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-7):

The Serpent’s Temptation:

• Satan came as a serpent (snake) to Eve
• The serpent asked Eve: “Did God really say you must not eat from any tree?”
• Eve said: “We can eat from all trees except one, or we will die”
• The serpent lied: “You will not die! You will become like God!”

The Sin:

• Eve saw that the fruit looked good to eat
• She thought it would make her wise
• Eve took the fruit and ate it
• She gave some to Adam who was with her
• Adam also ate the forbidden fruit
• Both of them disobeyed God’s command

What Happened After They Sinned:

• Their eyes were opened and they felt ashamed
• They made clothes from leaves to cover themselves
• They hid from God when He came to walk with them
• They were afraid and felt guilty

The Punishment God Gave (Genesis 3:14-24):

Punishment for the Serpent:

• Must crawl on its belly all its life
• Must eat dust
• Will be enemies with people forever

Punishment for Eve (and all women):

• Pain in childbearing
• Difficulty in family relationships

Punishment for Adam (and all men):

• The ground will be hard to work
• Growing food will be difficult with thorns and weeds
• Must work hard to survive

Punishment for Both Adam and Eve:

• Must leave the beautiful Garden of Eden
• Cannot eat from the Tree of Life
• Will eventually die (return to dust)
• Broken relationship with God
• Sin and sadness entered the world

Why God Had to Punish Them:

• God is holy and cannot allow sin
• They broke the only rule God gave them
• Sin has consequences
• God’s word must be true (He said they would die if they ate)

The Good News:

• Even though God punished them, He still loved them
• God made clothes to cover them
• God promised that one day someone would defeat Satan
• This promise pointed to Jesus who would save us from sin

Memory Verse

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.” – Romans 6:23

Activity

Act out the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience with simple costumes.

Multiple Choice Exercise

1. Disobedience means: a) Helping others b) Not doing what you are told c) Being kind d) Telling the truth
2. The serpent told Eve that if she ate the fruit, she would: a) Die immediately b) Become sick c) Become like God d) Turn into an animal
3. After Adam and Eve sinned, they felt: a) Happy and proud b) Ashamed and afraid c) Excited and joyful d) Sleepy and tired
4. God punished them because: a) He didn’t love them anymore b) He was in a bad mood c) Sin has consequences and God is holy d) He wanted to be mean

Answers: 1(b), 2(c), 3(b), 4(c)