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Thorns, Sweat, and Tears

When Sin Broke Everything

Day 9of 180
Week 2of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how sin changed God's original perfect creation

2

Recognize the consequences of sin in the natural world

3

Develop compassion for creation's current broken state

Genesis 3:17-19

'Cursed is the ground because of you. In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Thorns also and thistles will it bring forth to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. By the sweat of your face will you eat bread, until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are, and to dust you will return.'

Genesis 3:17-19 (WEB)

Demonstrates the direct consequences of human sin on creation

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible (World English Bible)
  • Gardening gloves
  • Small garden trowel
  • Notebook
  • Pencil
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

BibleMouse adventure begins! Recall yesterday's lesson about how sin first entered the world

💭 Review Question: What happened in the Garden of Eden that changed everything?
2Teaching (8 min)

Explore how sin affected God's perfect creation

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • God's original design was perfect
  • Sin brought pain and difficulty to work and life
  • Creation itself was affected by human sin
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How might work be different if sin hadn't entered the world?
  • Why do you think God allowed these consequences?
3Activity: Thorns and Toil Exploration (10 min)
nature observation

Outdoor garden or yard investigation of how creation shows signs of brokenness

📝 Instructions:
  1. Put on gardening gloves
  2. Look for thorns, weeds, or signs of struggle in plants
  3. Carefully dig a small area to observe soil and plant roots
  4. Record observations in BibleMouse nature journal
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Collect fallen leaves or observe plants with parent help

Challenge: Research how different plants survive challenging conditions

4Closing (3 min)

Reflect on God's love despite creation's brokenness

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about sin's impact on the world?
  • How can we show care for God's creation?
🙏 Prayer:

Thank God for His promise of future restoration

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll explore how everyone is affected by sin

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Romans 5:12 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Domino Chain Verse: Set up dominoes in a long line, with each domino having a word from the verse. As child recites the verse, they knock down the dominoes to show how sin spreads

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

This lesson helps children understand the theological concept of 'the fall' in an age-appropriate way

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be gentle when discussing difficult concepts
  • Use concrete examples children can understand
  • Emphasize God's love and redemption plan
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may feel overwhelmed by the concept of universal sin

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Signs of empathy and understanding about creation's brokenness

Extension Activities

  • Create a 'before and after' drawing of creation
  • Plant a small garden to observe plant growth and challenges
  • Use BibleMouse Printables Library for additional worksheets

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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