Day 9 – Sin

Memory Verse: Show your children where the verse(s) that you are learning are fond in scripture. Never forget to keep reminding them that what they are hiding in their heart comes from God’s word.

Genesis 3:1-24
Sin. It destroys the perfect environment God had created. Adam and Eve (both were there when the serpent was tempting them) listen to the lies that are told to them. They can be wise like God. God is trying to hold them back. They forget all that God has given them. They give into the desire to be like him. They take a bite and realize what they have done.

Next they hear God in the garden and hide. They say it is because they are naked. Suddenly they are ashamed to show themselves uncovered to their creator. Clothing might have been missing but perhaps it was the fact that they were no longer unblemished by sin and they knew it.

When God questions them they start the blame game. Like our children so often, when confronted with their sin, they blame someone else for it. Man blames woman, woman blames snake, snake is left in the cold… I’ve seen my two boys do this. Caleb blames Seth, Seth blames Micah… Micah being 5 months old sucks his hand and smiles…

God then doles out the punishment based on their actions. We need to STRESS to our children that there is punishment for our sin. Man and woman did not get off easy. Likewise God will punish us for our sin. We never know how it may come about but He cannot allow us to live in sin. He still protected them, giving them covering for their naked body. Sadly the relationship was never the same.

Depending on the age of your children will determine how deep you can go. Do not pass up the opportunity though to talk about the consequences of sin. With your older children see if they know of a time that they saw someone (or themselves) punished for sin. Perhaps as a parent you can share that with your children. Wise is the child who will learn from the mistakes of the parent. Proverbs 3:1 comes to mind… It is our job to help them store these lessons.

Pray tonight for any un-confessed sin. Pray that God will forgive us for them and restore our relationship with Him. Your family can draw close to God if we as a family will confess sin with each other and encourage each other to repent. Blessed is the family who prays. Look at Colossians 4:2,5-6. Devote yourselves to prayer. Live wisely among sinners. Make the most of every opportunity.