A NIGHT TO REMEMBER â—½ HOME
We are having an old-fashioned pumpkin party with our kids and one activity will be to bob for apples. Have you kids ever participated in that fun? For the devo this month, bobbing for apples is the fun, and learning about that first bite is the lesson. It all began in the creation story, a great one to visit over and over again for so much truth.
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Preparation: You’ll need a large tub or any vessel to fill with shallow water, and a bunch of apples for bobbing (you could use a tiny swimming pool.) If you want, include caramel sauce and dark chocolate chips for later, to enjoy with the apples. (You’ll need a few towels, too…) Place a big blanket in the yard on a warmish day, and enjoy this time with the kids.
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In Genesis, we read about how God created the world and then he created man and woman. This is what he told the man after he was created. He told him to watch over and tend the garden. He also told
told the man he could eat of every tree in the garden EXCEPT one…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If he eats from that tree, he will die.
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Was God mean in telling Adam this rule?
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What are some rules that you have to obey that your parents tell you, or you will get hurt? (Let the kids answer – staying out of the street, don’t climb on that, and even eating rules – don’t put that in your mouth!)
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Are parents mean when they train babies to keep tiny things out of their mouths? No. They’re saving their lives…
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It’s important to obey even when we don’t understand. Babies don’t understand but they eventually learn…as they are told no over and over again…
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Place the tub in the yard and ask the oldest child to fill it with shallow water.
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In Genesis 3 we read that the serpent in the garden, a very shrewd animal, came to the first woman and tempted her to take a bite of the tree God said not to eat from. The serpent tells Eve that God is lying to her, and that she can eat from the forbidden tree.
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Have you ever been lied to, or believed a lie? What if a kid says your parents are lying to you: “You can ride your bike to my house – it’s totally safe – and you don’t need to tell your parents.” Sometimes we too are tempted to disobey by others, or by own thoughts in our heads.
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The moment that Eve believed God was lying to her is the moment she took that first bite from the forbidden tree, and we know the rest. She and Adam were sent from the garden for their disobedience.
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We don’t know if it was an apple that Eve ate, but it could have been. She and Adam disobeyed God and brought sin into the world.
Ask another child to place the clean apples into the water, one by one.
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But guess what? When Jesus came and died for our sins, then rose again, he offered us new life with him where we can eat freely of the goodness of God all of our lives! Yes, we have rules to obey, but yes, we are forgiven when we disobey, and our lives are sweet and satisfying because of Jesus.
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Look at this big tub of apples! The bible says to taste and see that the Lord is good. He provides us fruit to eat, water to drink, and families to love us while we do. And the best thing we’ve been given is life eternal with Him, as we enjoy his goodness in our lives, while obeying what he says to do. Love God. Love others.
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Let the kids try bobbing for the apples according to their ages.
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Little ones can use a big spoon to scoop one out, older ones can actually bob and bite.
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Enjoy the apples together and pray together:
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Dear God, thank you for loving us and may we never believe the lie that you don’t. You are a good Father that has offered us the goodness and sweetness of life through your son, Jesus. Help us to obey your Word to love God, obey our parents, and love others. And thank you for the sweet things in life…like red apples in October. – Amen.