After completing this Sunday school lesson, the children will understand that even they have committed sin at one point in their lives. They will also see sin for what it really is, a serious problem in everyone's life.
(Note: Attended only by itself, this lesson may create some despair or hopelessness in young children. Therefore, everyone should be encouraged to do the assigned homework and attend the next three lessons.)
TOPICS
Accountability, Born Again, Salvation, Faith, Sin
AS KIDS ARRIVE (15 minutes)
Work Folders: Have the children's work folders available as they arrive.
My Prayer of Faith (Activity) Click here
After the children complete this activity, have them place it in their folder to be used later.
OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)
Further info? Click here
After prayer, ask the children about their homework assignment. They were to read about the tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-8
Discuss the following question:
1. In the story about the tower of Babel, what were the people trying to do that was so wrong? (They were trying to reach God through their own efforts.)
MEMORY WORK (12 minutes)
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 NIV
Divide the class into two or more teams. The challenge is for each team to outdo the other(s) in saying the memory verse and reference in a creative way. The teacher will lead one team, and a helper lead the other team(s). Teams alternate saying the verse and its reference. Example: The leader of team 1 will have his/her kids say the verse while hopping on one foot. The leader of team 2 will respond by having the kids say the verse while clapping after each word. Team 1 then says the verse while turning around in circles. Team 2 while doing the twist, and so on. There really is no winner, but the kids will have a lot of fun, and they will unknowingly memorize the verse.
CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
Sin is Gross (Object Talk) Click here
ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (5 minutes)
Sin Revealed (Object Talk) Click here
SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)
Introduction:
During Jesus' ministry, he was tested many times by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They wanted to trap Jesus into breaking Jewish law. In our story today, the Pharisees tried to get Jesus to disobey the law for punishing someone caught in sin. They knew Jesus was compassionate and went from town to town forgiving people of their sin. But would Jesus punish someone for sinning according to the law?
John 8:1-11 (A Woman Caught Sinning)
Discussion Questions:
1. Did the lady come to Jesus on her own? (no) Why do you think that was? (Discuss possibilities.)
2. What was the lawful punishment supposed to be for this lady's sin? (To be stoned to death.)
3. Could the woman escape the punishment for her sin on her own? (No.)
4. What did Jesus do after the Pharisees made their accusations? (He wrote something on the ground)
5. Jesus said "Whoever is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at the woman. Why didn't anyone throw a stone at the woman? (No one was without sin.)
6. What did Jesus tell the woman after everyone had left? (To go and leave her life of sin.)
7. Why did Jesus say, "Go now and leave your life of sin?" (Allow for discussion.)
CLASS EXERCISE (10 minutes)
Old Enough to Know (Activity) Click here
Closing CLASS EXERCISE (5 minutes)
Verse Worksheet 1 Click here [PDF]
Have the children take Verse Worksheet 1 from their folder, and have them paraphrase the second two verses. (Romans 3:23, and Romans 6:23a.) The remainder will be completed at the end of lessons 3. When finished, have the kids place the worksheet back in their folders to use next week.
APPLICATION (5 minutes)
Last week (yesterday) we learned that Heaven is a free gift, and it cannot be earned. No matter how much money someone may have, or no matter how many good things they do, it will not get them to Heaven.
Today we learned that everyone is a sinner. No one is perfect. Sin is anything that goes against God's Will, even the little things we do that may not seem too bad. Little lies, a little cheating, pretending not to hear your parents call you, it is all sin. Sin can be a thought, an action, or even not doing something you should. And because of this sin, we are separated from God. In fact, the Bible says that the wages, or payment, for this sin is death. We will see this more clearly next week, and in the weeks to come, we will discover God's answer to our sin, and how we can have eternal life with Him.
A familiar Bible story to some of you is when Cain killed his brother Abel. For homework this week, I want you to read about this is Genesis 4:1-14. When we meet again for our next lesson on Salvation, have an answer to the following questions:
1. What were the real reasons Cain killed his brother Abel?
2. How was Cain punished for his sin?
NEXT WEEK
Encourage all the children to return next week. There are more games, activities and fun things to do, but more importantly, everyone will learn more about Salvation.
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Further info? Click here
Prayer Box
Have each child take one card out of the box. (If they draw their own name, have them put it back and try again) Have a few minutes of silent prayer, so each child can pray for the person on their card. After praying, have them write their name on the back of the card. Close the lesson with prayer.
When finished, have each child put the card back into the box for next week.
TAKE HOME PAGE
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here for NIV or KJV [PDF]