Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: Lesson 8 “The Two Trees”
Featured Passage: Genesis 2–3:6; 1 John 2:16
God created the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and placed them in a beautiful garden filled with beautiful plants and trees. However, God placed two trees that had special significance in the midst of the garden, and He gave Adam special instructions about them. The name of one tree was the tree of life and the name of the other was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told Adam that he could eat of the tree of life, but he was not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because in the day he ate of it, he would die. The instructions about the trees and the consequences for disobedience were clearly stated. God gave mankind free will to choose, but He wants us to choose to do as He says. The two trees were used to test whether mankind would obey God.
Discuss:
- Remind your child that these were literal trees in a literal garden even though they symbolized choosing the way that leads to life or the way to death.
- Discuss the implications for the way of “knowledge of good and evil”. How do we see “good and evil” played out in our society today?
- Examine Eve’s excuse for disobeying God. Note how the lust of the eyes and the pride of life played a part in her decision.
- God often tests His people with trying or tempting situations. Ask your child why they think God does this. Be sure to inject that making choices builds character.
- Discuss the two trees – that there are always two choices, God’s way and the wrong way. Note that both trees looked good but only one was good.
Memory Challenge:
Deuteronomy 30:19–20
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days….”
