I absolutely LOVE the Adam and Eve story ...mostly because I "get" its sense of humor and inherent grace. Too bad that the Bible Thumpers and theologians have turned this story into "merely" a dark story about sin and punishment. I think it's a wonderful story about God's forbearance and compassion.

1. Ever notice that when God comes calling to Adam and Eve on the evening breeze, he SURELY already knows what they've done and where they are hiding?
   
   
2. Ever notice that God goes WITH Adam and Eve into the world?
   
   
3. And just before they go, he makes them clothes to cover their shame. Word!
   
   
4. The biggest non-secret in this story is that human beings will sin and try to cover it up. Thus, all eyes should be on GOD in this story... what does God do about sin?

Where some see God punished Adam and Eve by throwing them out of the Garden, I read God "making them clothing" as the scripture says. God works to reduce their embarrassment. Then I see God GOING WITH THEM beyond the Garden to be their God through toil and pain.

And IN the Garden, I don't focus on the WARNING about the fruit. God knew they'd do it. Rather, I focus on the God who comes strolling along MUCH AFTER the snake story, "in the evening breeze" says the scripture, calling out to Adam and Eve to come out, ...as if God doesn't already know where they are and what's happened.

He's calling his children to confess, and they cast blame. What parent's heart doesn't pound with understanding and compassion when they've caught their children in sin, and watch them wrestle with trying to be honest.

Adam and Eve's story is Good News.

When I made my company's "Awesome Bible Stories" software, I included a lesson on Adam and Eve that taught the story the way I teach it to kids. This software program is now available FOR FREE to the supporting members of Rotation.org. Learn more!

Software Suggestions for Teaching Adam & Eve

1. Awesome Bible Stories  "Adam & Eve" story

I have infused my retelling of the Adam and Eve Story with my understanding and passion for this story as described above.

 See the description, graphics, and teacher's guide for more details and download the free software (if you're a supporting member of rotation.org)

This is what we want our children to do: stand up and be honest when we make mistakes.
That's is what God wants too.
When we do that, we don't need to go "back" to the garden.
The world becomes our new Eden.

....or what Paul called a New Creation.

...or what Jesus taught us to pray saying, "on earth as it is in heaven."

The story of Adam and Eve is covered in the SunScool Bible App for Kids. The App is free, ecumenical, and can be downloaded for use on tablets, smartphones, Windows, and Mac!    Get the download link and look up the story you need in our Outline of all 170+ stories in SunScool. That page also includes app helps.

Here's a snippet from our complete Outline to the App:

There are four age levels of story presentation in the app and the story titles vary depending on which age level (L1, etc) that you select:

• A1-3 : The first man and woman (L1, L2), Things Go Wrong (L3) The Coming of Sin (L4)
  Genesis 2:14-19 - 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-14, 18-19
• A1-4 : God's world is spoiled (L1, L2), The Results of Sin (L4)
  Genesis 3:7-24; Romans 5:12-21
  This story is not included in Level 3.