
There can be no agreement as to what salvation is unless there is agreement as to that from which salvation rescues us. The problem and the solution hang together: the one explicates the other. It is impossible to gain a deep grasp of what the cross achieves without plunging into a deep grasp of what sin is; conversely, to augment one’s understanding of the cross is to augment one’s understanding of sin. To put the matter another way, sin establishes the plotline of the Bible.
(From Fallen: A Theology of Sin, copyright © 2013, as republished on www.monergism.com)
In order to be Gospel-focused and Christ-exalting in teaching children, we must help our children grasp the nature and role that sin plays in the narrative of Scripture. Not doing so is a little like going from the peaceful Shire directly to Mt. Doom—the depth of the problem and magnificence of solution will not be sufficiently understood, appreciated, and praised. Consider for a moment our kindergarten curriculum Jesus, What a Savior. The first 12 lessons move through a narrative of the Old Testament, highlighting key redemptive themes. One of the themes, repeated over and over again, concerns the nature and role of sin (represented by a darkened and dirty heart visual)…- Sin entered the world when Adam and Eve rebelled against God and His command.
- Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, all people are born with a sin nature and are sinners.
- Sin is failing to honor, love, trust, thank, obey, and praise God as we should.
- Because God is holy, He is right to be very angry at sin.
- God has decided that the right punishment for sin is death and hell.
- We are completely helpless to save ourselves from our sin.
- Only God is able to save us from our sin.
There can be no agreement as to what salvation is unless there is agreement as to that from which salvation rescues us. The problem and the solution hang together.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.—Colossians 1:13-14, ESV
Tips for the Classroom When Teaching about Sin
- When teaching lessons and stories that deal with sin, keep your tone serious and appropriately grieved. Do not convey the stories in a morbid or dramatically scary manner.
- Pray for the demeanor of humility in your teaching.
- Encourage the children to recognize their own sin.
- Allow time for children to ponder and reflect upon the problem of sin.
- Even if the lesson does not explicitly connect to Christ and the Gospel, end the lesson in a manner that points to the only hope for sinners—trusting what Jesus has done.
- Allow for discussion afterward. If you discern that a child is troubled by what he has heard, or seems to genuinely be grieving his sin, talk with him. Share the hope of the Gospel, and also talk with the child’s parents.
