The Fall--Family Devotion with Object Lesson

(A 2 liter bottle and a $20 dollar bill help make an Adam and Eve trap as we learn to beware of temptation and learn about consequences this week with Adam and Eve.)

Weekly Scripture:
Genesis 3

Story:
“The Fall”

Precept:
God wants us to take responsibility for our sins, repent and seek restoration to Him, rather than try to hide our sins.

Finding Christ:
In this chapter, we hear God announce the enmity that will be between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman. The seed of the woman is a prophecy of Christ. Through the crucifixion and resurrection, Christ did bruise the serpent on the head.

Live the Lesson:
Prepare an Adam and Eve trap before the devotional time. Take a $20 bill and put it in the middle of a piece of paper. Crush the paper into the shape of a ball around it, adding 2 more sheets to the ball. Make sure to crush this very firmly. Tape around it, making sure there are not edges one could pinch anywhere.

Take a 2 liter bottle and cut the top ¼ of it. Find a very sturdy piece of cardboard or foam and cut a hole in it big enough for the ball only to pass through or a hand, but not a hand wrapped around the ball. Try dropping the ball through to make sure it can clear by itself. Secure the cardboard to the top of the bottle with duct tape or something of that nature until it holds firmly in place.

Now show the children how the ball can pass through the trap and place it in the bottom of the bottle. Tell them this is an Adam and Eve trap. Tell them the piece of cardboard on top represents God’s relationship with us. Explain to them the ball represents temptation and there is a $20 bill in the middle of the ball. Whoever can reach into the trap, wrap their hand around the ball, and remove it without damaging the relationship to God can have the $20! Having seen the ball drop in surely some child will believe they can pull this off.

As they realize it is impossible, explain to them so it is with temptation. You cannot keep focused on temptation without giving in to it and you cannot actually sin without it damaging your relationship with God. Then talk about how to seek God’s restoration.

Memory Verse:
“My sins are not hidden from You.”
Psalm 69:5

Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help me to overcome temptation. If I do sin, please help me to take responsibility and confess my sins to You, that I will repent and be restored to You!

Living the Life:
This week, name the various temptations we come across. Share how to overcome them with the Word. Remind children to take responsibility and not put the blame on others. They should repent and seek restoration.

God Gave Man Responsibility--Family Devotion with Object Lesson

(Water balloons, eggs, or macaroni help teach us to be responsible as we learn with Adam about God giving us work to do.)

Weekly Scripture:
Genesis 1 & 2

Story:
“God Gave Man Responsibility”

Precept:
The Lord gives us responsibilities to do His work and care for each other.

Finding Christ:
These two chapters are packed with types of Christ. See how many you can find. Just one would be the Tree of Life. Jesus is our Eternal Life!

Live the Lesson:
Depending on where you will be doing this object lesson, what kind of weather you have, and what time of day/night…you have the option of using either: water balloons, eggs, uncooked elbow macaroni noodles, or whatever you can imagine. Have your family sit in a close circle if you use macaroni or a lot further apart if using water balloons or eggs. Without telling your family the purpose, place one bucket next to the first person in the circle with the entire “product” in it and place an empty bucket next to the last person. Explain the rules that they are responsible to pass the product around the circle. If anything drops, do not retrieve it. Just continue passing more product to the next person as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Memory Verse:
“We are God’s fellow workers.”
1 Corinthians 3:9

Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help me to be very careful with the responsibilities you give to me. Help me to always do my best and to always seek Your help!

Living the Life:
This week discuss responsibilities each person is given to care for each other in the family. Teach your children good manners such as holding the door open for others.

God's Nature Expressed in Creation--Family Devotion with Object Lesson

(A flashlight, a mirror, and a bowl of water help to remind us that God created light and colors this week as we study Creation.)




Weekly Scripture:
Read Genesis 1 & 2 to your family

Story:
“God’s Nature Expressed in Creation”

Precept:
We praise God and express appreciation for His creation that reveals to us how Almighty He is!

Finding Christ:
These two chapters are packed with types of Christ. See how many you can find. Just one would be the Sabbath (the 7th day) represents Christ, our perpetual rest. Jesus also declares He is Lord of the Sabbath.

Live the Lesson:
Take a deep, clear bowl of water and place a small mirror inside of it. In a dark room shine down the flashlight on the mirror and see how it reflects colors. Lift the mirror so that it leans on one side of the bowl to get a rainbow on your wall. Explain to your children that by creating light, God also created all the colors. Now follow it up with some chocolate pudding interlaced with gummi worms and then sprinkle some crushed oreo cookies on top. Mud pudding is really yummy! Don’t forget to say “Thank you Lord, it is good.”

Memory Verse:
“I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.”
Matthew 11:25

Prayer:
Dear Lord, please help me to remember to notice all that you create and praise you for it.

Living the Life:
This week point out all the things around you that God has created and how unique each thing is. Praise the Lord for His wonders with your children.