ROCKHARBOR Churchhwcdn.net/d3u9i9g7/cds/tru/SamplesPage/TW_SS_1-3_4s-5s...the food in the garden God said, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat

Sunday School Edition

L E S S O N

date:_____________

SCHEDULE

Connect5–10 minutes

Gather20–25 minutes

Engage15–20 minutes

Respond15–20 minutes

Bless10 minutes

4s/5s Guide

© 2013 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

REMEMBER VERSE Let the redeemed of the Lord

tell their story.Psalm 107:2a

1.3date:

Bible Passage: Genesis 2—3(The Fall and Restoration)

God Made a Way for Me to Be with Him Forever

Environment: STORYTELLINGIn this lesson we see the environment of STORYTELLING through God’s promise to send the Redeemer so we can live in perfect relationship with Him forever.

2© 2013 David C Cook

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Cristi ThomasTruWonder Team

Inspire

As a child I played many games of Hide and Seek. The delightful anticipation of being discovered was almost more than I could bear. Then there were those occasions when I would hide, not because I was playing a game, but because I had done something wrong. I knew there would be consequences for my actions … there always were.

Once I was concealed and out of sight, I always wondered, “How long will it be before I am found?” I knew, even as a kid, that I wouldn’t be able to hide forever. I didn’t want to remain under the bed—it was lonely. Finally, my parents entered the room. Knowing full well where I was, they would call out to me one more time, “Cristi, where are you?” Slowly I would crawl out from under the bed to face what I had only temporarily avoided.

Although I no longer hide under the bed, there are still times when I try to hide from God. I know He sees me, even when I’m trying to avoid Him. I’m also very aware that I can’t remain in “hiding” forever—nor do I want to. I hate the distance my sin creates between God and me. It’s then I’m reminded that He has called us out of the shadows of sin. God provided the way for us to be freed and taken out of hiding: no more shame; no more distance. He defeated sin and death to remove all barriers that would keep us from being with Him. We’re able to come to Him without fear. He is the way, the Truth, and the life.

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ENVIRONMENT:STORYTELLING

The power of The Big God Story impacts our lives by giving us an accurate and awe-inspiring perspective into how God has been moving throughout history. It further compels us to see how God is using the life of each person and is creating a unique story that deserves to be told for God’s glory.

The 10 environments guide us in creating a climate that puts God on display. Encourage your families to discover more about creating the environment of STORYTELLING in their homes by checking out HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource and Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony.

Further Resources

www.biblecentre.org/ebooks/hb_healing_of_naaman.htm

Developmentally Speaking in CONNECTpbs.org/parents/childdevelopmenttracker/five

Equip

After God created mankind, He blessed them and gave them rule over all the fish of the sea, birds of the air, and every living creature that moves on the ground. Of the food in the garden God said, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:16–17).

One day the woman entered into a conversation with the Serpent—the deceiver. As they spoke, he began to question the validity of God’s command and assured the woman that she would not die as soon as she ate the fruit, but she would know good and evil just as the Lord knew good and evil. Eve made the choice to eat the fruit of the tree. Adam followed by taking the fruit she offered. And then they hid; sin had entered humanity.

Although Adam and Eve did not die physically, the moment they ate the forbidden fruit they died spiritually. Death was now a part of the human experience. No longer would they live forever, eating from the tree of life. No longer would they be in perfect relationship with God Himself. They were ushered out of the garden to work the land and bear children—both with pain. However, God had a plan to restore what had been broken and redeem what had been lost.

In the middle of the garden stood choice—between life and death. God’s story with mankind would be forever altered by this choice. Death was chosen, but life would be redeemed. God made a way for us to be with Him forever.

“In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9b).

http://www.biblecentre.org/ebooks/hb_healing_of_naaman.htm

http://www.biblecentre.org/ebooks/hb_healing_of_naaman.htm

pbs.org/parents/childdevelopmenttracker/five


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Support

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7–12

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:15–16

God’s story specifically includes you. You are never out of God’s sight. He has always known you and loved you. You are never in a place where He cannot reach you. Think of a place in your home or outside where you feel safe and quiet. Go to this place. Take some time to read through these Scriptures again. As you do, pray through them. Where do these words and their meaning direct your thoughts? Is there anything you’ve been trying to keep from God? Is there anything you’ve been trying to handle on your own before showing it to Him? Spend some time giving these things over to God. As you do, open your hands and place them palms down on your lap. When you’re finished, and you’re ready to receive from the Lord, turn your hands and place them palms up in front of you, or on your lap. Wait expectantly on the Lord. He will meet you. God has made a way so that you may know Him and be with Him forever.


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*To make metric conversions, search the Internet for a metric conversion chart or calculator.

Lesson OverviewExperience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

(Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com)

Connect:: 5–10 min.

Welcome and allow children todevelop relationships with theirleaders and one another in afree-flowing setting.

Fast as an Orange • 2 boxes (approx. 11" x 17" x 10")• 2 sheets of paper • marker• tape• orange

Transition Song• optional: “The Cleanup Song,” TruBlessings

Worship

Gather:: 20–25 min.

Children will gather to experienceand learn about God throughlively Remember Verse games,interactive storytelling of theday’s portion of The Big GodStory, Wonder Questions, andcommunity and personal prayer.

• Treasure Trunk• Gizmo puppet (see p. 8 for purchasing

suggestion)

Welcome Song• Story Spots• Welcome Song pieces (People Template, see

tru.davidccook.com; for detailed description see Putting It Together document)

Remember Verse• Bible• Remember Verse image and card

(see tru.davidccook.com)• toy microphone• orange • upbeat music (suggestions: “Celebrate,”

TruWorship Sincerely Yours or “Your Love,” TruWorship Your Love)

The Big God Story• plain bedsheet• 5 sheets of green tissue paper• 2 sheets of blue tissue paper• 2–3 sheets of fruit stickers

Wonder Questions• Wonder Question Strips (see tru.davidccook.com)• small bag with drawstring

Prayers & Praises• Prayers & Praises book• 3” x 5” cards• pen or marker

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*To make metric conversions, search the Internet for a metric conversion chart or calculator.

Lesson OverviewExperience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

(Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com)

Engage:: 15–20 min.

Children will engage with one another in a time designed to encourage various forms of play and exploration.

Hide and Seek• small objects to hide (such as play fruit or plastic

animals, 1 per 2 children)

Respond:: 15–20 min.

Children will have the opportunity to process what the Holy Spirit has been teaching them and demonstrate their response to God in a time of hands-on worship.

Hidden Message• white card stock (1 sheet per child)• watercolors (1 set per child)• disposable cups (1 per 2–3 children)• water• worship music: “Thank You,” TruWorship Sincerely

Yours• optional: watercolor paper, smocks, disposable

tablecloth

Bless:: 10 min.

Bless the children that they may experience God fully and be a blessing to others.

• Blessing• seed (1 per child) • HomeFront Weekly• HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource

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Sunday School EditionCONNECT | GATHER | ENGAGE | RESPOND | BLESS

Connect:: 5–10 min.

Connect activities allow kids to develop relationships with their leaders and one another in a free-flowing setting.

Using simple supplies and conversation starters, this section is all about getting to know one another better.

Fast as an OrangeSUPPLIES• 2 boxes (approx. 11" x 17" x 10")• 2 sheets of paper• marker• tape• oranges

Note: Please check with parents for any potential food allergies.

PREPARE AHEADDraw a happy face on one piece of paper and a sad face on the other. Tape one picture to each box. Put a piece of tape on the floor to make a starting line. Set up the boxes next to each other five to ten feet away from the starting line.

RELATEWelcome children and invite them to play a game using oranges. If you have a large class, divide the children into two groups. God made so many different, delicious fruits for us to eat. One of my favorites is the orange. One special thing about oranges is you can roll them like a ball. We’re going to play a game where we find out fruits that we like and fruits that we don’t like. In a minute, you’ll form a single-file line behind the starting line. The first person will stand with the orange on the floor in front of him. Demonstrate this starting position. When I say go, he’ll roll the orange with his hand. Your goal is to roll your orange all the way across the floor into one of the boxes. If your orange rolls into the happy face box, you can tell us a fruit you like. If your orange rolls into the sad face box, you can tell us a fruit you don’t like. Demonstrate for the children what this looks like; be sure to tell them a fruit you like or don’t like depending on the box your orange rolls into. When our friends are rolling the orange, the rest of us will cheer for them. Help the children cheer for each child using her name so the children can get to know each other’s names a little better. Continue until every child has had a turn.

Developmentally Speaking

Children at this age are becoming more independent in social situations. Your children can manage their emotions and might choose to go to another room to calm down or try to negotiate with peers on their own before seeking adult help. Being accepted by a group is becoming important, and the children in your class are able to form and maintain friendships with both adults and children.

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God Made a Way for Me to Be with Him Forever

Ponder Point

Gather:: 20–25 min.

Children will gather to experience and learn about God through lively Remember Verse games, interactive storytelling of the day’s portion of The Big God Story, Wonder Questions, and community and personal prayer.

Just a Note

Information for the opening traditions will be included in the first five lessons of each quarter. Traditions are activities or times for responding to God that happen every week, such as the Welcome Song, Remember Verse, and Prayers & Praises sections. For reference in later lessons, please refer to the Putting It Together document for TruWonder Sunday School under the Supporting Lesson Resources online at tru.davidccook.com.

For detailed information on the GATHER section, please refer to the Putting It Together document for TruWonder Sunday School at tru.davidccook.com.

The Treasure Trunk should include:

Welcome Song pieces Bible (for adult or children, to use during teaching) Remember Verse The Big God Story teaching aids Wonder Question Strips (see tru.davidccook.com) and bag Prayers & Praises book

Welcome SongSUPPLIES• Gizmo puppet (purchasing suggestion: 14” silly glove puppet, SKU# SLP1106,

Silly Puppets, www.wayfair.com) • Story Spots• Welcome Song pieces (People Template, see tru.davidccook.com; for detailed description

see Putting It Together document)

Remember VerseEach week children will spend time memorizing a portion of Scripture together. Remember Verses are chosen according to the 10 environments. This week we’re highlighting the environment of STORYTELLING which says, “God has a big story, and I can be a part of it!”

REMEMBER VERSE

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.Psalm 107:2a

http://www.wayfair.com


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SUPPLIES• Remember Verse image and card (see tru.davidccook.com)• toy microphone• orange • upbeat music (suggestions: “Celebrate,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours or “Your Love,”

TruWorship Your Love; see tru.davidccook.com for Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users; or iTunes)

Note: Please check with parents for any potential food allergies.

SET UPPlace the Remember Verse card in the Bible.

RELATECollect the oranges from CONNECT and gather the children together in a circle. Hi, friends. Turn to Gizmo, who is holding a microphone. I see you have a microphone, Gizmo. Gizmo nods. Do you use your microphone to sing? Gizmo shakes his head. Do you use your microphone to tell stories? Gizmo nods. Well, the Bible is The Big God Story. Is that the story you like to tell? Gizmo nods. Oh, that’s wonderful to hear that you’re telling others about The Big God Story! You know, that reminds me of our Remember Verse. Gizmo, can you get the Bible so we can look at it again this week? Gizmo nods and gets the Bible from the Treasure Trunk. Thanks, Gizmo.

Now, if you have a Bible with you, let’s practice finding our verse. Help the children navigate to the book of Psalms. Let’s practice saying the verse together a few times. Lead the children in repeating the verse. Gizmo, do you remember the motions that go along with the words to the verse? Gizmo nods emphatically. Great! Let’s all practice the motions together. Spend some time practicing the Remember Verse motions.

THE REMEMBER VERSE GAMEExplain to your group that when the music plays, the children will pass the orange around the circle. When the music stops, the child holding the orange can put it in the middle of the circle, then the children will all stand as a group and say the Remember Verse together with the motions. When the children seem to be more confident with the Remember Verse, you can have just the child holding the orange when the music stops stand and say it alone or with a friend. Repeat until all the children have had a turn. Remember Verse cards are available to print and send home with parents along with the HomeFront Weekly (see tru.davidccook.com).

Remember Verse Definitions

Redeemed: bought back. Jesus paid the price of our sin so we can have eternal life.

Foe: an enemy.

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REMEMBER VERSE MOTIONS:Let the redeemed: Cross index and middle fingers on both hands. Begin with arms and fingers crossed at chest and move outward to uncross them.

of the LORD: Using right hand, make an L with index finger and thumb. Begin on left shoulder, crossing over front of body, and end on right hip.

tell their story: Both index fingers start at mouth and move outward in a quick movement.

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Prayer of Release

The Prayer of Release is a time for children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. As you pray, encourage children to hold their hands out in front of them as if releasing their worries and distractions. This posture also shows they’re open to receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them.

The Big God StoryGenesis 2—3Storytelling Technique: Creating a Canvas

SUPPLIES• plain bedsheet• 5 sheets of green tissue paper• 2 sheets of blue tissue paper• 2–3 sheets of fruit stickers

PREPARE AHEADScrunch up the green tissue paper to resemble the tops of trees. Tear blue tissue paper into strips.

RELATEAfter you’re finished with the Remember Verse game, invite children to get their wiggles out, starting with nodding their heads and working their way down until they wiggle their toes. Then have them return to their Story Spots in the GATHER circle time area and have a seat.

Friends, I’m so excited to share this part of The Big God Story with you. Today we’re going to hear another incredible true story, but before we get started, let’s pray to God and ask Him to help us understand what He wants to teach us. (Lead children in a Prayer of Release.)

Friends, my favorite book is the Bible because it’s The Big God Story. I love it so much and I’m a part of it. Did you know that you’re a part of The Big God Story too? Do you remember who made the heavens and the earth? That’s right—God did. Do you remember who made all the animals and trees? God did. Do you remember who made people? God did. Yes, God made all of these things!

When God was first creating the earth, it didn’t have anything on it. (Lay out plain bedsheet.) There were no plants or trees. God made a man out of the dust. But God didn’t want Adam to be alone; He thought Adam needed a helper. So God created a woman named Eve. He put Adam and Eve in the most beautiful garden you’ve ever seen. God put trees in the garden and filled them with fruits for the man to eat and take care of. (Put green tissue paper in each corner of the bedsheet.) In the middle of the garden, God put a very special tree. (Put one green tissue paper in the center.) Can you help me put some fruit on the trees? (Hand out fruit stickers to each child to place on the trees.) God put streams of water all around the garden. (Put strips of blue tissue paper between the four corners to represent water.)

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God told the man that he could eat fruit from all the trees except this one tree. Friends, which tree is in the middle of our garden here? (Point to the tree you placed in the center of the bedsheet and allow children to respond.) The tree in the middle of the garden where Adam and Eve lived was a special tree called the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. God told the man if he ate from that certain tree he would die.

One day, a snake came up to Eve and said it was okay to eat from this one tree. Do you remember what God said? (Allow answers.) He said that they could eat from any of the trees except this one tree. Eve listened to the snake instead of God and ate some of the fruit. Adam ate some fruit too. After the man and woman ate the fruit, they knew they’d done something wrong.

Then, Adam and Eve heard God walking through the garden. Because they’d disobeyed God, Adam and Eve hid in the garden. Let’s all hide our eyes. (Demonstrate covering eyes.) God called for Adam and Eve and then, they came out from hiding. (Have children uncover eyes.) God knew they’d done something wrong. God told the man and woman that because they disobeyed Him, they couldn’t live in the beautiful garden anymore. (Point out the beautiful trees that God created, then take away the trees and rivers from the sheet.) Outside the garden, the man and woman would have to work extra hard. They would experience pain and one day they would die. God still loved Adam and Eve though, and He took care of them.

God also made a promise to them and to all of us in The Big God Story. God promised to send a Savior to come to Earth and save us from our sins. Do you know who that Savior is? Jesus! God sent His Son, Jesus, so we would always be able to live with God forever! We’re a part of The Big God Story, just like Adam and Eve. We get to tell our family and friends how God came to be the way for us to be with Him forever.

Wonder QuestionsSUPPLIES• Wonder Question Strips (see tru.davidccook.com)• small bag with drawstring

I wonder … What would I like most about living in the Garden of Eden?I wonder … How did Adam and Eve feel when God called to them in their

hiding?I wonder … Who can I tell about the promise God made to us?

Small Group Enhancements

Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users can find a quarterly TruWonder Timeline and images of people corresponding to each week’s lesson at tru.davidccook.com. As you place the weekly people squares on the timeline, invite children to help you storytell. The provided questions will prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They’ll enjoy watching as the timeline fills from week to week and their knowledge of The Big God Story grows.

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Prayers & Praises SUPPLIES• Prayers & Praises book• 3" x 5" cards• pen or marker

SET UPPlace the Prayers & Praises book in the Treasure Trunk.

RELATEAfter your time discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children in your group. Friends, we just heard all about God creating a beautiful garden where Adam and Eve could live. Some sad news was that they disobeyed God and had to leave the garden. But some good news is that God promises us we can live with Him forever because of His Son, Jesus, and we can tell other people about the promise that He made to us. Let’s thank God now for promising us we can live with Him forever. Start by praying an example, such as, “Thank You, God, for always being with us.” Allow the children time to participate, and encourage them to either repeat your statement or say their own words.

I love praising God for the promises He gives us. Now let’s share how we can pray for each other. Open the Treasure Trunk and take out the Prayers & Praises book. Ask children to share updates on the things they previously asked the class to pray with them about. Celebrate the praises, recommit to praying for things yet unanswered, and ask for any new requests. Pray for the praises and requests mentioned and let the children know you’ll continue to pray for them in the coming week.

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Engage:: 15–20 min.

Children will engage with one another in a time designed to encourage various forms of play including interactive games and activities, engaging projects, experiments, and more.

CONNECT | GATHER | ENGAGE | RESPOND | BLESS

Hide and SeekSUPPLIES• small objects to hide (such as play fruit or plastic animals, 1 per 2 children)

RELATEAfter putting the Prayers & Praises book away, gather your group together. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they hid in the garden. God looked for the man and woman because He loved them.

Have you ever played Hide and Seek before? We’re going to hide some (fill in the blank) around the room, and you’ll get to find them. Divide the children into two groups. Have group one hide the items while the kids in group two turn their backs and close their eyes. Once all of the objects are hidden, have group two find them, then switch. Remind your children who did the hiding to keep quiet as their friends seek the objects.

After you’ve played a few times, gather the kids back together and be seated on the floor. Did you have fun hiding and finding things? Adam and Eve hid because they felt bad for what they did. Do any of you ever try to hide when you do something wrong? Allow kids to respond. God always knows where we are and always loves us no matter what we do. God wants us to live with Him forever.

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Respond:: 15–20 min.

Children will have the opportunity to process what the Holy Spirit has been teaching them and demonstrate their response to God in a time of hands-on worship.

Collaborative and individual worship will grow an appreciation for their faith community.

Hidden MessageSUPPLIES• white card stock (1 sheet per child)• watercolors (1 set per child)• disposable cups (1 per 2–3 children)• water• worship music: “Thank You,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours• optional: watercolor paper, smocks, disposable tablecloth

SET UPFill the cups with water and place them on the table. Optional: Assist children with putting on smocks and place a disposable tablecloth on the table.

RELATECollect all of the objects from ENGAGE and gather the children back together on the floor, encouraging them to walk like their favorite animals. Can you tell me how old you all are? Allow kids to respond. You’ve been alive for (fill in the blank) years. I’ve been alive for (fill in the blank) years. When we talk about being with God forever, there’s no number big enough to say how long we’ll be with God. That’s so exciting! We’re going to continue our time of responding to God and what He is teaching us by singing and painting. But before we do, let’s stop and quiet our hands, feet, and our voices. Let’s close our eyes for a moment and think about the part of The Big God Story we heard today. Who was a part of this story line? Children will answer. What happened? Allow kids to respond. What did God do? What is God like in this part of The Big God Story? What do we know about Him? Encourage kids to open their eyes.

As we listen to music, we’re going to paint something we know about God from The Big God Story. Maybe it was the way God cared for Adam and Eve by providing them fruit, or maybe the hope of the promised Savior coming. Whatever you choose to paint is between you and God. Turn on the music and invite the children to come over to the table to paint. When their paintings are complete, turn off the music and allow the children to share about what they painted. Friends, these are wonderful pictures. Each time you see this picture, you can remember that God came to be the way for us to be with Him forever.

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Remember to give each child a Remember Verse card before they leave so they’ll have a chance to memorize the verse during the week with their parents.

Note to Leaders

CONNECT | GATHER | ENGAGE | RESPOND | BLESS

HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God’s Word together before children arrive at church.

HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource is a magazine that gives families ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! As the new issue becomes available each month, you may choose to print them for families or encourage them to visit HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazine sent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available as an app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Bless:: 10 min.

A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide. Ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life in such a way that blesses others, while also praying over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

Have the children form a line facing you and assign each child a partner next to him. Today we have the opportunity to bless one another before we leave. Encourage the children to look at their partner and repeat these words of blessing to the child they’re facing:

May you remember that you’re a part of The Big God Story!

Then, invite all of the children to turn and face you again. They may want to place their hands out and open in front of themselves, as if cupping them together to hold water. This simple posture demonstrates that your children are ready to receive from God. Say the final words of blessing over your children:

Children, God has made each of you a very special promise that you can be with Him forever. May you share this promise with the people you love.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story. Psalm 107:2a

http://HomeFrontMag.com

Documents

ROCKHARBOR Churchhwcdn.net/d3u9i9g7/cds/tru/SamplesPage/TW_SS_1-3_4s-5s...the food in the garden God said, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat