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People Disobey God

Kids (ages 4-8) · Genesis 3:1-13; Genesis 2:15-17 · Standard ·35 minutes

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Objective: Children retell the first disobedience and explain that mistrusting God damaged a good relationship.

Read: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-13

Opening: Ask: What is the difference between making a mistake and choosing to ignore a clear instruction?

Say:

Ask:

Do: Use the Choice, Action, Consequence Cards to retell the story in order.

Close: Pray: God, help us trust Your words, tell the truth, and turn back when we do wrong.

Materials: Bible; Choice, Action, Consequence Cards or four blank sheets

Standard outline · 35 minutes

  1. 4 minConnect. Use the opening prompt and invite two or three brief responses.
  2. 4 minContext. Introduce the passage setting, speaker or main characters, and genre in age-appropriate language.
  3. 8 minRead and observe. Read Genesis 2:15-17 and 3:1-13, pausing after temptation, choice, hiding, and blame. Ask: What had God actually said before the serpent spoke? What choice did the humans make?
  4. 7 minDiscuss. Build a four-part sequence: God’s instruction, the serpent’s challenge, human choice, and damaged relationship. Ask: What changed immediately after the choice? What is a truthful response when we do wrong?
  5. 8 minActivity. Complete the Choice, Action, Consequence Sort activity and review what it demonstrates. Activity: Choice, Action, Consequence Sort. Printable: K1-L03-P01-choice-action-consequence.
  6. 4 minRespond. Review the objective, repeat the take-home line, and pray.

Activity details

Choice, Action, Consequence Sort · 8 min

Materials: Four story cards; Floor or table space

  1. Place God’s instruction first.
  2. Add the serpent’s challenge.
  3. Add the human choice.
  4. Add hiding and blame; retell the sequence.

Low-resource option: Write four headings on the board and let children point.

Closing

Memory verse: Genesis 3:9

Prayer: Ask for trust, truthfulness, and courage to turn back when wrong.

Take-home line: God’s way is good; when we do wrong, we tell the truth and turn back.