1. Announce that we are going to play a game we played last time “Cats and Mice”.  Boys and girls, the instructions will sound the same because we played the exact same game last time.
   2. Show Players the boundaries that the game will be played in.
   3. Pick one Player to be a “Cat.” Stand the “Cat” in the middle of the area.
   4. The rest of the Players are “Mice;” have them stand on one side of the area.
   5. The object of the game is for the “Mice” to get across the area without getting caught (tagged) by the “Cat.”
   6. Call out loudly “Cat, ready?” “Mice, ready?” “Go!”
   7. The “Mice” run from one side to the other then stop at the other side.
   8. If a “Mouse” is caught (tagged), then that Player also becomes a “Cat.” Play until all players become cats.
   9. Twist: Say, Boys and girls, now we are going to play a game just like “Cats and Mice,” but this is called “Cats and Rotten Rats.” Here is the twist, after one round the Rotten Rat that has been tagged can sneak back into the line of rats and stop being a cat.
   10. “Rats” stop once they have crossed the area and wait until the leader calls out “Cats, ready?” “Rats, ready?” “Go!” This continues until only one “Rat” is left.

[Coach please note: the game does not work, the game breaks down, that’s part of the experience. The game does not work because the Rotten Rats are taking a place that is not theirs to take.]

THE CIRCUMSTANCE (Genesis 2:15-17)
In a beautiful garden called Eden, a time when the world was freshly created and full of wonders, there lived two special people—Adam, the first man formed from the earth’s dust, and Eve, the woman formed from Adam’s side. They enjoyed a perfect paradise, tended to by their loving Creator, God.

THE CHOICE (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6)
Within the beauty of Eden, God had given Adam and Eve a choice, a test of their obedience and trust. He provided plenty of fruits all around them, allowing them to eat freely from every tree except for one—the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. One day, as they strolled through the garden’s fragrant paths, the serpent who was, sneaky,tricky, and beautiful to look at slithered forth and questioned Eve, “Did God really say you can’t eat from any tree?” Eve thought about it then replied, “We may eat from everytree but the tree in the middle of our garden or we will die.” The tricky serpent whispered, “You surely won’t die. In fact, you’ll become like God, knowing good and evil.” Doubt stirred within Eve’s heart. She looked at the tree’s fruit and its beauty andshe wanted it now! Plus, as she looked at the fruit the promise of wisdom was so very tempting. She reached out, plucked its forbidden fruit, and took a bite. The worldchanged—the fruit tasted bitter. Fearing God’s judgment, she shared it with Adam. He,too tasted the fruit, and their eyes were opened. Shame covered them like a heavy coat,and they sewed fig leaves to cover their nakedness. As evening’s gentle breeze rustledthe leaves, God called for Adam and Eve. Trembling, they hid among the trees. God’svoice, was as warm and familiar as the dawn’s embrace and gently echoed, “Where areyou?” Adam hesitantly answered, “I heard you and hid because I was naked.” God’s gaze looked deep within their souls; He knew their hearts were now stained by the sin of disobedience. (Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-6)

THE CONSEQUENCE (Genesis 3:14-19)
God turned His gaze toward the serpent, delivering His righteous judgment. “Cursed are you above all livestock and beasts. You shall crawl on your belly, and you shall eat dust all your days.” Then, with eyes full of love and sadness, God spoke to Eve, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” To Adam, He spoke with firmness, “Because you listened to your wifeand ate from the tree, cursed is the ground for your sake. Thorns and thistles shall theground bring forth. Hard work and sweat will mark your brow, as you work for your food. Because of their disobedience to God, Adam and Eve were separated forever from His presence. Life outside paradise would be hard, but life without the presence of God would be harder. (Genesis 3:14-19)

THE LIFE LESSON (Genesis 3:15)
Yet, in the shadow of the consequences, God’s mercy shone like a beacon. In His righteous judgment, he also unveiled a glimmer of hope—a promise, a future. He declared to the serpent, “I will put enmity between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will bruise his heel.” It was a promise of redemption, of a Saviorwho would one day overcome the serpent’s lies and lead humanity back to God’sembrace. (Children put your arms out like a cross. Who died on the cross for our sins?JESUS! JESUS is now in heaven loving each of us.} As Adam and Eve faced the lifethey had chosen, God clothed them in animal skins, showing His love and caring heart for His children. There was still hope. By, using animal skins God was showing that one day a greater sacrifice would be paid by His son Jesus. Jesus was willing to give up His life for us. (Genesis 3:15)