Game Changers: Devotions for Families Who Play Different (Age 8-12)Намуна

Choices

READY: Genesis 2:15-3:24

SET:

Adam and Eve had all they could ever want in the Garden of Eden. They walked (literally) with God every day. They had all the food and water they could consume. They had no fear or shame. However, God’s enemy showed up (in the form of a serpent) and brought with him the temptation that planted a deceitful idea in their heads—they could be like God and know all about good and evil. Instead of trusting that God loved and wanted the best for them, they decided to try the fruit from the one tree God told them not to. Once they had disobeyed God, their eyes were opened. They did understand more about good and evil; they recognized their nakedness and that they had done wrong, and their close connection to God was broken. There was a price for their disobedience. There were consequences for their choices. God closed Eden to Adam and Eve; they were no longer able to live in that paradise and enjoy that close fellowship with God. God told Adam he would only be able to get food from working the hard ground and that he would die someday. He told Eve that she would have severe pains from childbirth. God also punished the snake.

The choices Adam and Eve made had consequences with which they had to live. When they chose to not trust God and to disobey, the very thing that allowed them to live in paradise and have a special connection to God was gone. And rightly so. The punishment and the consequences were just.

Adam and Eve’s experience can help us remember that our choices have consequences. When we choose to disobey, we can’t be surprised when we face punishment. Even if we don’t like it, we must admit we did wrong and seek forgiveness. Hopefully, this will help us learn not to put ourselves in that situation again. But we also can remember that just punishment from caring parents or coaches comes because they want the best for us.

GO:

1. What do you do when you get caught doing something you know you should not be doing? Why do you think Adam and Eve listened to the snake? Who do you listen to that you shouldn’t? Why do you think we sometimes do what we are not supposed to do, even when we know it’s wrong?
2. The serpent convinced Eve that God was keeping something from her, and Eve chose not to trust God. Why do you think we sometimes choose not to trust people in authority over us?

Workout:

Galatians 6:7-8; Hebrews 12:11; Romans 6:23

Overtime:

“Lord, I know my choices are not always what You want. Please forgive me. Help me to make choices that honor You. Help me to trust You and those You have put in my life to lead me. In Your name, amen.”