YEA Lesson Library
God Was Sorry
About This Lesson
This lesson describes God’s judgment on the earth for their disobedience, violence, and wickedness. It encourages the student to realize there are consequences to bad behavior and sin.
Scriptures
Genesis 4 - 6:8
Genesis 6:5-6
Psalm 7:9-11
Psalm 90: 8-12
Proverbs 3:1-4
Ephesians 4:30-32
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Words to Know
VICIOUS - savage, dangerous, violent, intense
GENERATION - al of the offspring who live at the same time from a common ancestor
ANCESTOR - someone in your family who lived before you
DECREED- stated, passed a law
FOREFATHERS - people in your family who lived before you
CENTURY - one hundred years
The Lesson
Jenna ran into the kitchen, waving her arms and calling to her mom, "Hey, Mom, guess what! Tracie's going to let me have one of her puppies! I've got it all picked out! I want the one with the mask across his face." Mrs. Williams sighed and thought about last evening's conversation with Jenna's dad. AfterJenna had gone to bed, they had decided to let her have one of Tracie's puppies even though Mrs. Williams wasn't sure it was the right decision. "Tracie's going to bring it over this afternoon! I've already got a name picked out: Pirate, because of the mask, you know!" Jenna called over her shoulder as she excitedly headed down the hallway. She was already thinking of where to put Pirate's bed.
Several weeks later, Jenna knew she was going to have to talk with her parents. She really dreaded it. Pirate was not a small puppy anymore; he was rapidly growing into his name. He'd torn up several of her shirts, even her favorite Pokemon one. He'd started chewing on her dad's motorcycle seat, but Jenna stopped him before there had been too much damage. Still, Mr. Williams hadn't been very happy about al of those teeth marks. Last week, Pirate chewed up her brother's sneakers. Jeremy wasn't back from summer camp yet, so she hadn't told her parents about that crime. But the worst of Pirate's behavior was the biting. She'd convinced her friends, Tracie, Sarah, and Kayla not to tell about Pirate biting them. He had bitten each of them at different times and on different days.
She didn't know how much longer she'd be able to keep him from attacking the postman, the delivery men, and other visitors to the Williams home. He just turned so mean with people outside the family. She worried about what Pirate was going to do to her brother, Jeremy. Jenna knew, deep in her heart, that she wasn't going to be able to keep Pirate. And that made her very sad.
This story makes us think about today's memory verse: "The LORD saw how bad the sins of all people had become on the earth. All of the thoughts in their hearts were always directed only toward what was evil. The LORD was very sad that he had made human beings on the earth. His heart was filled with pain."
What had happened to make God feel like this? What had people done? Genesis 4 tells us the story of Cain and Abel. These brothers were the first two children of Adam and Eve. When it came time to give an offering to God, Cain brought some of his field produce and Abel brought the fattest firstborn lambs from his flock of sheep. God appreciated the gift Abel brought. We're not told exactly why God appreciated Abel’s gift. Perhaps because it was generous and recognized God as the Giver of everything. However, God didn't like Cain's gift. Again, we're not quite sure why, but we do know that Cain really didn't have a very good attitude in giving the gift to God.
Attitude is very important when offering a gift to God. Not only did Cain start out with a bad attitude, his attitude got even worse when he saw that God didn't like his offering. In fact, Cain got so angry that he killed Abel! And then he buried him so that no one would know! When God asked about Abel. Cain lied! But God knew what had happened.
If what Cain had done wasn't bad enough, five generations later Can's great-great-great grandson killed a man for just injuring him! He seemed to be proud of the fact! Yes, human beings got really evil very quickly.
The book of Genesis doesn't tell us all of the violence and destruction. It just tells us about these two sins.Then, in chapter 5, there's one really interesting comment. Genesis 5:23-24 tells us, "Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away." We don't know what that means, but it does seem to tell us that there were not many people who walked with God. Most people didn't think it was important to love and obey God.
God noticed that Enoch loved and obeyed Him. This was so unusual God told us about it in the Bible. We know that Enoch was special. People were really rotten. They were so bad that God didn't want to let human beings live anymore. He was tired of putting up with their actions.
God was sorry that He had made human beings because they had done such awful things. At that time they were so bad that God was ready to completely wipe out everything that He had made - human beings, animals, creatures that moved along the ground and birds. And He set the date. God gave mankind 120 years to turn themselves around. After that, it would be too late. How does that make you feel?
But think! People weren't just evil back in the days of Adam and Eve. They have been bad ever since. People's sins get worse as time goes on.The Bible tells us that many people are going to get really evil again right before Christ returns. "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will love money. They will brag and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won't be thankful or holy. They won't love others. They won't forgive others. They will tell lies about people." (2 Timothy 3:1-3a, NIrV Kids Devotional Bible). Yes, many people are going to be doing really bad things again. In fact, many already are.
What about you? Are you like Enoch, who walked with God? Is loving and obeying God the most important thing in your life? Does it make you kind of sick to see how evil some people are? It’s worth thinking about. Our life depends on it.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for creating us and for being so patient with all of us despite how bad some people are. Please draw me closer to you and your Son, Jesus.You are my life and my salvation.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Genesis 4:8-11
Monday - Genesis 6:5-7
Tuesday - 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Wednesday - Psalm 7:9-11
Thursday - Proverbs 3:1-4
Friday- Ephesians 4:30-32
Saturday - Psalm 90:8-12
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Relate the story of Cain and Abel.
2. Explain the downward spiral of mankind ten generations from Adam.
3. Relate God's sorrow at the condition of mankind and His intention to destroy al living creatures.
4. State that consequences can be passed from one generation to the next.
5. Express the importance of having a relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Topics & Themes
Anger
Attitude
Cain/Abel
Consequences of Sin
Enoch
God's Judgment
Murder
Obedience
Sin
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students and teacher's books, blank monthly calendar, pens, pencils, markers, crayons, blackboard, chalk, attendance and memory verse charts, stickers, songbook, cassette tape/CD, player
Preparation
This is a really sobering lesson to teach to the students. It is important that they realize the natural human mind is hostile towards God. This is the beginning of their understanding of the wretchedness of the human condition and the need for Jesus Christ. You may wish to be ready with the following scriptures for your discussion in class: Romans 7:18, Romans 8:7-8, Isaiah 64:6, Psalm 14:1, Isaiah 53:6.
Although some have wondered whether God decreed 120 years as man's life span or whether God decreed annihilation in 120 years. (See Genesis 6:3.) It appears that the latter is most logical since Genesis 11:10-26 chronicles life spans much longer than 120 years after the Flood. It's also interesting to note that Methuselah was the oldest person ever recorded. He died the year of the Flood. We have no way of knowing if he died before, or because of, the Flood.
How to Teach This Lesson
Jenna and her puppy - Discuss what kind of behavior would be so bad that a person would have to get rid of a dog. Differentiate between intolerable behavior and inconvenience. Also emphasize how an owner may genuinely love the dog, but realizes the dog must go, i.e. that old tear-jerker "Old Yeller."
Cain and Abel - Have one of the students retell the story. If necessary, refer to Genesis 4:1-16.
Lamech - Tell the students how decadent people had become in just ten generations from Adam. Read Genesis 4:23-24 and discuss the arrogant and violent attitude that was now the norm for that society.
Enoch - Emphasize to the students that Enoch was someone special. If everyone had been seeking the Lord, the author of Genesis wouldn't have made a point of mentioning Enoch's relationship. It serves to highlight the evilness of that society. Discuss with the students what it means to "walk with God."
Methuselah - Mention in passing that he was the oldest living person ever recorded.
God was grieved - Have a student read Genesis 6:1-7. Discuss the wickedness that would have caused God to decide to destroy all living creatures, not just mankind.
God is merciful - Discuss the fact that even though God was grieved at the wickedness and resolved to destroy the earth, He was willing to give people the opportunity to repent and turn back to Him. He gave them 120 years, according to Genesis 6:3.
2 Timothy 3: I-4 - Have a student read this list of sins prophesied to be widespread in the end times. Discuss any unfamiliar terms and ask the students if they know of examples of these behaviors occurring today. You really need not go into detail though.
Personal Walk with Jesus Christ - Bring the discussion back to what the students need to be doing. Explain the importance of walking with God, as Enoch did. In the midst of the evilness al around us, they need to stand out as one who knows that a relationship with God is far more precious than anything this world has to offer.
Pursuing a relationship - Ask: How do you get a closer relationship with anyone? Talking with them, spending time with them, doing things to please them, etc. Then ask: How do you get a close relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ? Answers may include: reading your Bible, praying every day, going to church, following the Ten Commandments, listening to your mom and dad, etc.
Review Questions
1. Who were Cain and Abel?
2. Why is their story recorded in the Bible?
3. What happened to mankind after Adam and Eve sinned and Cain murdered Abel?
4. How did God feel about the condition of mankind?
5. What did God intend to do because all of the people except Enoch were wicked?
6. Will behaviors again become so bad that God will be tempted to destroy the world again?
7. We know the end is coming. What's the most important thing you can do?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Plan On It!
Tell the students that often you need a plan to reach a goal. Give them a blank calendar. Let them fill in the dates. Then in each square, write some activity that will draw them closer to Jesus Christ, i.e. May 1st - read two psalms; May 2nd - Start a prayer journal (to write to God what I've been reading about or about special concerns). Have them brainstorm different things to do each day. Challenge them to stick with their plan. Let them know that you'll have additional calendars available for them when they need them next month. Emphasize to them that their life depends on it.
REACH Activity
Word Study
In the King James Version of Genesis 6:5-6, two English words are used: wickedness and evil. These words are the same Hebrew word ra. It is the inability to come up to good standards which will benefit. (Source: Zodiates’ Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, p. 1661.) And, Genesis 6:5-6 tells us that every thought in people’s hearts was ra all the time!
Much like Pirate in your YEA lesson, there was no way to turn things around. Mankind was headed for destruction. God had to intervene. The days were evil. People needed His salvation. Sounds kind of like today, doesn’t it! We are still headed for destruction. The days are evil. People need God’s salvation. God will have to intervene—again. Matthew 24:22 tells us that if Jesus doesn’t come back, no one will survive. Yes, there is still a lot of ra—and it’s all around us.
Did You Know?
Noah sounds like the Hebrew word for comfort. (Source: NIV Archaeological Study Bible, p. 12.) Noah and his family were the only people left alive on the earth after the flood; through him, God saved mankind from total destruction. Isaiah 40 starts with that same word: comfort. Only this time the comfort comes from knowing that God has saved mankind from total destruction through the death and resurrection of His own Son, Jesus Christ.
Back to the Bible
How did you feel when you were practicing your memory verse for this lesson? It probably did not make you feel very good knowing that God was sad that He had made human beings. That is very serious, isn’t it? Sin and evil will always make God sad. Stop and think about times when you have been disobedient to your parents. Your earthly parents who love you so much were probably very sad and disappointed. They may have even explained these feelings to you. So God, Our Creator, and Heavenly Father of all, is sad when we sin and disobey Him, too. Remember that God’s heart was also filled with pain. You certainly know what a pin prick or scraped knee feels like, don’t you? Can you imagine a heart, your very own heart, filled with pain? Put together now what you know: sin + evil = sadness and pain. Avoid evil. Avoid sin. Cling and hold on to what is good and pleases God!
Just Toolin’ Around
In your Bible journal, make two columns. Label one column Before Christ Returns and the second column After Christ Returns.
Using 1 Timothy 3:1-4, write each type of evil listed in the first column. In the second column write the good that people will do after Christ returns. Using Bible reference tools, can you find any other evil or good that could be listed in either column? Share your findings with your class or family.
Stretch It Out
Create the calendar as directed in the YEA Teacher/Parent Guide on page 13. Use computer photos or graphics to decorate the calendar. Add Scriptures for each month. Include special occasions and holy days. Consider creating a calendar as a gift for relatives or friends.
Music Notes
Without God, without His Laws and His guidance, mankind sinks ever deeper into sin. When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they started the rest of humanity on a slippery slide into death and depravity. We need God to lift us, each one of us, from our sins and our sinful nature.
“Love Lifted Me” is on page 84 of the CEM Hymnal. The words and music were James Rowe’s inspiration, but it was Howard Smith who wrote them down. Rowe and Smith wrote this song in Saugatuck, Connecticut in 1912. According to Rowe’s daughter: “Howard E. Smith was a little man whose hands were so knotted with arthritis that you would wonder how he could use them at all, much less play the piano. . . I can see them now, my father striding up and down humming a bar or two and Howard E. playing it and jotting it down.”
James Rowe was born in England in 1865. The son of a copper miner, James worked for the Irish government for four years and then emigrated to America when he was 24. He settled in Albany, NY and worked in railroads for 10 years. Then he was an inspector for the Hudson River Humane Society. Later he worked for music publishers in Texas and Tennessee. After that, he moved to Vermont and worked with his daughter, an artist, writing verses for greeting cards. He died in Wells, Vermont in 1933. (Source: cyberhymnal.org.)
Journal Jot
What is your first response when someone says that you’re wrong? Do you listen? Do you try to figure out if they are accurate? Or do you immediately begin defending yourself? Would it matter who it was? What if your little sister said you were wrong? Would you respond differently if your mom told you you were wrong? What about your best friend? What if it were a policeman? What if God sent Elijah or Isaiah or Noah to tell you you were wrong? How would you react? Think about it and write about it in your journal. How you react to someone pointing out an error or a mistake, a weakness or a fault, is very important to your development as a child of God.
Questions?
Reminds the child to write down (in their Bible journal) questions they may have as they are doing the activities, working through the lesson, or reading the Daily Devotionals.
Song
"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" and "I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N" are on pages 23 and 52 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students to thank God for creating us and for being so patient with all of us despite how bad some people are. Encourage them to ask for a closer relationship with the Father and Jesus.
Printable Pages
