Aim to understand that we have two conflicting natures because of the Fall

Aim:
*To understand that we have two conflicting natures because of the Fall
* to understand the importance of following God’s word in order to get rid of this conflict

Materials:
* Enough Bibles for each child (1 Corinthians 3:16, Romans 7:19)
* large picture showing two natures
* Pictures cards showing two natures
* Children’s worksheet

 

Lesson Outline
1. Problems in the World
2. Our Two Natures
3. Examples from Daily Life
4. Activity – worksheet, draw picture cards, memory game
5. Conclusion
6. Prayer

 

1) Problems in the World
The world is not the ideal that God wanted. Instead there are many problems in the world.

Make a list

  • hunger,
  • disease,
  • war,
  • pollution
  • crime,
  • racism,
  • religious conflict,
  • broken families,
  • swearing,
  • disrespect,
  • bullying

 

What is the cause of all the problems? It all goes back to the Fall of Adam and Eve
* Instead of becoming one with God, we became separated from God
* Instead of feeling God’s love, we became insensitive to it.
* We have lost our spiritual senses and are ignorant of the spirit world
* We have been dominated by Satan without even knowing it.
* Instead of perfecting our character, we have developed two opposing natures within ourselves; an original unselfish nature from God and a self-centred fallen nature from Satan


3) Our Two Natures
St. Paul wrote about our two natures, which are constantly struggling within us.
1 Corinthians Ch.3 v.16
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and God’s spirit dwells in you.”

Romans 7:14-25
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

It is not easy to get rid of our fallen nature. It is much easier to be selfish. It takes more effort to be unselfish. What can we do?


First, study God’s words, so we are clear about what is God’s way.
Second, listen to our conscience, because God speaks to us through our conscience.
Third, follow our conscience and put God’s words into practice.

 

4) Examples from Daily Life
Look at pictures cards and discuss them. All of the examples depend upon our internal attitude.

  • happily obeying parents – not wanting to obey parents (obedience)
  • being grateful for food – complaining about food (gratitude)
  • waiting to receive – taking before being given (patience)
  • waiting patiently – interrupting (patience and respect)
  • looking at the person – not looking at the person (good manners)
  • giving your seat up to older people – not giving your seat (respect)
  • wiping your feet – walking inside with dirty shoes (caring)
  • taking your dishes away – leaving your dishes on the table (being responsible)
  • talking calmly – shouting (respect)

 

5) Activities
Complete the worksheet
Draw more picture cards to show examples of the two natures
Play memory using picture cards

 

6) Conclusion
Review the aims of the lesson
*To understand that we have two conflicting natures because of the Fall
* to understand the importance of following God’s word in order to get rid of this conflict

 

7) End with a prayer

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eighth gradeManish Saluja