The story of Adam and Eve is found in Genesis 2-3. After God has created the world, we get into the story of the first man and woman. The Bible says in Genesis 2 that on the sixth day of creation that God created male and female. At first, there was just Adam. He was made out of the dust from the ground, according to the Bible. God breathed the breath of life into him. Genesis says that Adam was created in God’s image. God gave Adam the task of caring for and naming the animals. God hoped that Adam would be fulfilled with this job. But Adam was lonely- none of the animals were a suitable “helper” for him. So God caused Adam to go into a deep sleep. Taking a rib from Adam, God formed a woman, named Eve.
Adam and Eve were happy together. They lived in a beautiful garden known as Eden. They tended the plants and animals and enjoyed the beauty around them. The one rule God gave them was to not eat of the tree in the middle of the garden. It was called the “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”.
One day, Eve was in the garden when Satan, disguised as a snake, came to her and began to speak. He questions why Eve won’t eat of the tree in the middle of the garden. When she tells him because God told them they shouldn’t, Satan says,” Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”. Eve believes him and takes a bite of the fruit. Then she gives it to Adam, who also eats it.
God calls out to the man and woman later. They hid themselves, telling God that they must hide because they are naked. God asks “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”. They admit to it and God puts a curse on them. The man will have to work the earth all of his life and the woman will have pain in childbirth. Also, God drives them out of the garden of Eden. He places an angel to guard the way to the tree of life.
Important verse:
Genesis 2:15-17: And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Important truths about God from the story:
- The story of Adam and Eve is a fundamental story of our Christian faith. It explains how man first sinned and the consequences of that sin.
- This story is a good one to illustrate how we should take God’s commands seriously and abide by the rules he gives us.
- It also sets the stage for the coming of Christ- it demonstrates how fallen and helpless we are without a Savior.
How can we use this story:
- This story is the starting point for the coming of a Savior into the world. If kids are to understand the need for Jesus, they must see how sin first entered the world. They can put themselves into Eve’s mind and see how she was tempted to do what she was told not to do. Most kids will be able to relate to this.
- Through a discussion of Adam and Eve, children might question the concepts of sin, obedience and temptation.
Books
- Adam and Eve in the Garden: My First ‘I Can Read’ from the Beginner’s Bible. This book is good for Pre-K to 2nd grade, especially those just beginning to read. It is simple and teaches about the first man and woman.
- The Beautiful Garden of Eden by Gary Bower. This book uses rhyme to teach about the first sin and how it ruined the beauty of the garden.
- The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This storybook shows how the stories of the Bible are connected together and all lead back to Jesus.
- The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross Storybook by Carl Laferton. Show kids the whole story of the Gospel, starting with the Garden of Eden.
- Back to the Beginning by Jen Decker. Tommy and Janie are taken back in time to the Garden of Eden and experience both the beauty and then the devastation from sin.
Toys/Games
- Adam and Eve Felt Play Set Flannel Board- Kids will enjoy interacting with the characters from the Bible story with this flannel set.
- Bible Toys for Toddlers – Bible Play Sets with 5 Characters– Have kids tell the story of Adam and Eve with these play people.
- Bible Trivia Flashcards- Test your Bible knowledge with this game geared towards ages 6-12.
- Little Folk Visuals Beginners Bible Soft Storybook- Little ones will like this interactive soft storybook that tells key Bible stories.
Videos
- The Beginning of the World- Adam and Eve- This colorful video from the popular The Beginner’s Bible, is a great way to teach this Bible story.
- Adam and Eve Sin- This is an animated version of Genesis 3.
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 2-3)- This is a video done by Saddleback kids that narrates the story of Adam and Eve’s sin.
