Origin and consequences of sin

Let us remember

In the previous grades, we learnt about creation. From the two creation accounts, we learnt that God created man (Adam) and woman (Eve) in His image and likeness. He placed them in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and guard it. God also gave Adam and Eve specific instructions on what to do. Which instructions did God give them? In this grade, we shall learn about what happened when Adam and Eve failed to follow God’s instructions.

Activity 4: Discussing and writing

Work in groups.

1. Use digital devices or relevant books to find the meaning of the word ‘consequence’.
   
2. Discuss the various meanings that you come across.
3. Write down the most appropriate meaning in your exercise books and present it to the class.

Take note

The word consequence refers to the result or effect of an action or a situation. From the Bible readings, the following are the consequences of sin:

1. From Genesis 3:14–19, 23, we learn that:
   1. The snake was cursed and given a punishment to crawl on its belly and eat dust.
   2. Enmity developed between the snake and the woman and their offsprings. The offspring of the woman would crush the snake's head. The snake would bite the heel of the woman's offspring.
   3. The woman would experience trouble in pregnancy and increased pain while giving birth. She would also be subject to her husband.
   4. The ground was cursed and it started producing weeds and thorns.
   5. The man had to toil in order to produce enough food from the ground.
   6. In verse 23, Adam and Eve were sent out of the Garden of Eden.
2. From Genesis 4:6–12 we learn more consequences of sin which are:
   1. Human beings became prone to sin; for example, Cain was angry and jealous of his brother Abel because he offered an acceptable sacrifice to God.
   2. Human beings started killing one another; for example, due to uncontrolled jealous and anger, Cain killed Abel.
   3. Because of shedding innocent blood, Cain’s work on the soil would be unfruitful.
   4. Cain was cursed by God and he became a homeless wanderer.
3. In Genesis 11:1–9 we learn that people who spoke one language came together to build a city with a tower that reached the sky so as to make a name for themselves. They also did not want to be scattered all over the earth. The consequences of this sin were:
   1. The people were scattered all over the earth and they were no longer united.
   2. God mixed their languages so that they would not understand one another. This brought confusion amongst them.
   3. God stopped them from building the city using bricks in Babylon with a tower reaching the sky.
4. What other consequences of sin do you identify from the Bible verses?

Activity 9: Searching the internet or library resources

Work in pairs.

1. Use a dictionary or search the internet to look for the meaning of:
   1. Moral values
   2. Life skills
   3. Temptations
2. Write the meaning of the terms on a chart or any other available materials and give examples.
3. Present your points to the class and display your chart in the classroom.

Moral values are guidelines that help people to decide between what is right and wrong. They guide the conduct of people in a society. Examples of moral values are honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility and integrity.

Life skills are abilities for positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with challenges and demands of life. They help a person to go through life with ease and to lead a more fulfilled life. Examples include self‑awareness, assertiveness, effective communication, self‑esteem and decision making.

Temptations are the desires to do something that is wrong or unwise. Examples include: lying, stealing, gluttony, abusing alcohol and engaging in premarital sex.

Activity 10: Conducting a buzz session and writing

Work in pairs.

1. Conduct a buzz session on how to overcome sin, temptations or tempting situations.
2. Write your points in your exercise books and present them to the class.

Activity 11: Brainstorming and writing

Work in groups.

1. Discuss:
   1. Moral values needed to overcome temptations.
   2. Life skills needed to overcome temptations.
2. Write your points on charts or any other available materials and present them to the class.
3. Display the charts in the classroom.

Take note

1. Moral values needed to overcome temptations and sin include:
   1. Honesty: By telling the truth, young people are able to resist negative influence from peers.
   2. Respect: When young people respect themselves and others, they refuse to engage in actions that are not acceptable.
   3. Responsibility: Young people who are accountable for all their actions avoid temptations at all costs.
   4. Love: When young people love themselves and others they avoid temptations and sin.
   5. Integrity: When young people have strong moral principles, they are able to avoid sin and tempting situations.
   6. Empathy: It helps young people to identify with the feelings and emotions of others, therefore, avoiding putting them into temptations.
      ​What other values are needed to overcome temptations?
2. Life skills needed to overcome temptations include:
   1. Critical thinking: It helps young people to examine and analyse information before taking action. Therefore, they choose to do the right things.
   2. Decision making: This skill helps young people to make the right decisions and avoid wrong ones.
   3. Creative thinking: This skill helps young people to devise new ways to carry out tasks and solve problems.
   4. Self‑awareness: It helps a person to recognise and understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, strengths and weaknesses so as to be able to avoid tempting situations.

Extended activity

Work as a class. With the guidance of your teacher:

1. Prepare a talk on causes of sin among young people today.
2. Design a poster for use during the presentation.
3. Present the talk during the school assembly.
4. Write a report on your experiences.
5. Display the poster on the school noticeboard.

Lessons learnt

1. Sin was brought about by the disobedience of Adam and Eve to God.
2. God punishes people who commit sin.
3. Moral values and life skills help us to overcome temptations.
4. When we confess our sins to God, He forgives us.