Adam and Eve, by Douglas M. Fryer

January 10–16

Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5

The Fall of Adam and Eve

Think about the children you teach as you study Genesis 3–4 and Moses 4–5. Pay attention to the promptings and impressions you receive; they could lead to new teaching ideas.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Show a picture of Adam and Eve (see this week’s outline in Come Follow Me—For Individuals and Families), and ask the children to stand and share something they see in the picture or remember about the story.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Genesis 3; Moses 4

Adam and Eve followed Heavenly Father’s plan.

Help the children understand what happened in the Garden of Eden and how it helped fulfill God’s plan of salvation. What blessings do we have because of the choices Adam and Eve made?

Possible Activities

• To summarize the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve, use “Adam and Eve” (in Old Testament Stories). Help the children understand that Adam and Eve’s choice to eat the fruit was part of Heavenly Father’s plan.

• Give each child a picture that represents something from the story of Adam and Eve (such as a tree, a snake, a garden, or Jesus Christ). Ask them to hold up their picture at the right time as you tell the story and read phrases from Moses 4. This week’s activity page might be helpful.

  

  Leaving Eden, by Annie Henrie Nader

Moses 4:1–4

I can choose the right.

In Moses 4:3, we learn that Satan “sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him.” How will you help the children appreciate the ability to choose between right and wrong?

Possible Activities

• Talk to the children about some choices you made today, and help them think about choices they made. Read to them from Moses 4:3: “The agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him.” Explain that this verse teaches us that God has given us the ability to make choices. Express your gratitude that you are able to choose the right, and testify that the children can also choose to do what is right.

• Share a few simple examples of a child making a right choice or a wrong choice, and ask the children to indicate if the choice is right or wrong (they might stand up, hold up signs, or raise their hands). Bear your testimony that Heavenly Father will help us choose the right, and invite the children to share their feelings as well.

• Help the children think of good choices they can make to follow Jesus Christ. Sing together a song about making good choices, such as “Choose the Right Way” (Children’s Songbook, 160–61). Tell the children about a time when you made a good choice, and talk about how you felt because of your choice.

Moses 5:4, 8

I can pray to Heavenly Father.

What do the children you teach need to know about prayer? What do you find in these verses that can help them?

Possible Activities

• Read Moses 5:4 to the children. Help them understand that when Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, they couldn’t be with Heavenly Father anymore, but they could pray to Him. Explain that we pray to Heavenly Father in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ (see Moses 5:8). What are some things we can say to Heavenly Father in our prayers?

• Ask the children to show you actions they do when they pray. You could also show a picture of someone praying (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 111–12) to teach the children that bowing our heads, folding our arms, and closing our eyes helps us to be reverent when we pray.

• Share a personal experience with prayer or your testimony of prayer. Sing with the children a song about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13).

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Genesis 3; Moses 4; 5:10–11

The Fall of Adam and Eve was part of God’s plan.

If Adam and Eve had stayed in the Garden of Eden, they would not have had children and would not have progressed to become like Heavenly Father. We are grateful for their choice to partake of the fruit because this choice made possible our mortal life and our opportunity for eternal life.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to work together to tell the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve in their own words. Share verses from Genesis 3 to help them.

• Help the children find in Moses 4:22–25, 29; 5:10–11 the consequences of Adam and Eve eating the fruit (see also 2 Nephi 2:19–25). Why is their choice a blessing to us? How did the Savior help us overcome sin and death?

Moses 4:1–4

I have the power to choose.

Do the children you teach recognize what a precious gift it is to be able to choose between right and wrong? How can the story of Adam and Eve help them appreciate this gift?

Possible Activities

• Consider a simple object lesson like the following to illustrate the importance of making our own choices: Invite the children to color this week’s activity page, but give them only one color to use. Why would it be better to have choices in this situation? Read together Moses 4:1–4 to talk about why choices are important in God’s plan.

• Invite the children to share a personal experience when they had to choose between right and wrong. Let them discuss the possible consequences of each choice.

Moses 5:4–15

Because of Jesus Christ, I can repent and live with God again.

Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ to rescue us from the consequences of the Fall. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus made it possible for us to be resurrected after we die and forgiven of our sins when we repent.

Possible Activities

• Write two titles on the board: Because of Adam and Eve and Because of Jesus Christ. Help the children identify the consequences of the Fall as you read together Moses 4:25; 6:48; Romans 5:12; 2 Nephi 2:22–23. Let them write what they learn under the first title. Then help them identify how Jesus Christ overcame sin and death as you read together Moses 5:8–11, 14–15; 6:59; Alma 11:42. Let them write what they learn under the second title. Why are we thankful for Jesus Christ?

• Show a video about the Savior’s Atonement, such as “Because of Him” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite the children to share how they feel about Jesus Christ.

• A few days in advance, ask several children to choose a scripture or song about the Savior’s Atonement to share in class. Encourage them to talk about why they like it. Sing one or more of the songs together.

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to share this week’s activity page with their families and talk about the blessings we have because of the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Improving Our Teaching

Seek your own inspiration. Don’t view these lesson outlines as instructions you must follow as you teach. Rather, use them as a source of ideas to spark your own inspiration as you ponder the needs of the children you teach. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 7.)