Saints LightWhy Is There Sin in the World?
Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, and that first sin hurt the whole human family, but God promised right away to send Jesus to save us.
God made the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and placed them in a beautiful garden. They were God's friends. They were happy with God, happy with each other and at peace with the whole world (CCC 374-375).
God gave them one rule, and He gave them free will, the power to choose. Love has to be chosen; nobody can be forced to love. But the devil, an angel who had turned away from God, tempted them. He wanted them to think God was keeping something good from them. Adam and Eve stopped trusting God and chose to disobey (CCC 397).
That choice was the first sin, and we call it original sin. Sin means choosing what we know is wrong and turning away from God's love. Because Adam and Eve were the first parents of the whole human family, they lost the gift of holiness not only for themselves but for all of us. That is why it is sometimes hard to be good, and why there is sadness in the world (CCC 405, 418).
Original sin is not something you did. It is more like being born into a family that has lost its way home. And here is the good news: in Baptism, God washes original sin away and fills us with His own life again.
God did not give up on Adam and Eve. Right away He promised that one day a child of the woman would defeat the evil one. That promised child is Jesus! God always has a plan to bring us back home (CCC 410-411).
Key points
- God made Adam and Eve good and happy.
- They chose to disobey, and that first sin is original sin.
- God promised a Savior right away: Jesus.
The Word of God
God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.
But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 374-375
- CCC 397
- CCC 405
- CCC 410-411
- CCC 418
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
When you make a wrong choice this week, say a quick "I'm sorry, God" right away, and say sorry to the person too. Notice how good it feels to make things right.
Check yourself: three questions
1. What is free will?
- Getting things for free
- Doing whatever you are told
- The power to choose
- A kind of prayer
Show the answer
The power to choose. God gave us free will, the power to choose, so that we could truly love Him.
2. Is original sin something you did yourself?
- Yes, when you were a baby
- No, it comes from our first parents, and Baptism washes it away
- Yes, every time you are grumpy
- Only if you forget to pray
Show the answer
No, it comes from our first parents, and Baptism washes it away. Original sin is not our own fault. We are born with it, and Baptism washes it away.
3. What did God do after the first sin?
- He promised to send a Savior
- He forgot about people
- He made a new world instead
- He stopped loving them
Show the answer
He promised to send a Savior. Right away God promised that a child of the woman would defeat evil. That child is Jesus.
Words to know
- Original sin
- The first sin of Adam and Eve, and the loss of holiness that every person is born with. Baptism washes it away.
More terms in the Catholic glossary. More passages in the Scripture index.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know that God made people good and free, that the first sin hurt everyone, and that God promised Jesus right away.
Opener. Ask: "Have you ever been told not to do something, and you really wanted to do it anyway? What happened?" Keep it light, and share a small, funny story of your own.
Discussion questions
- Why did God give people free will? [So we could truly love. Love that is forced is not love.]
- What did the tempter want Adam and Eve to believe about God? [That God was not really good and was holding something back. Help the children see that God always wants our good.]
- Why is it sometimes hard to do the right thing? [Original sin left us weaker, but God's grace helps us choose well.]
- What did God promise right after the first sin? [A Savior, Jesus. God never gives up on us.]
Activity. Trust walk: in pairs, one child keeps eyes closed while the partner gently guides them around the room with words only. Then switch. Afterward ask what made it easy or hard to trust. Connect it: Adam and Eve stopped trusting God, but God is always worth trusting. Finish by drawing the garden with a bright star in one corner for God's promise of Jesus.
Closing prayer. Dear God, thank You for giving us the gift of choosing. When we make wrong choices, help us say sorry quickly. Thank You for never giving up on us and for sending Jesus. Amen.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, "Have you ever" opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, trust walk and drawing 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
Related lessons
- Creation, the Fall and Why the World Is Broken (Start Here, free)
- Mary in Scripture: New Eve and Ark of the Covenant (Mary and the Saints)
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