Why Did God Put the Tree of Life and Tree of Knowledge in the Garden?

(Or: Was God Fair in Not Letting Them Eat from the Tree of Knowledge?)

Lesson Objective: To help children understand God’s authority, fairness, and generosity through a simple classroom analogy and biblical reflection.

Vocabulary:

• Authority – The right to lead or give instruction.

• Obedience – Choosing to do what you’re told, even when it’s hard.

• Generous – Giving more than expected or required.

• Creator – The one who makes and owns everything.

Retelling:

Mankind was God’s most prized creation on earth. He made a garden just for them. Beautiful rivers, clear as crystal, flowed through it. All kinds of fruit trees grew there.

In the middle of the garden were two very special trees. The first was called the Tree of Life. If you ate its fruit, you would live forever! The other was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God said that if you ate from that tree, you would die.

Adam and Eve had a choice to make: choose life or choose death. And every day, by obeying God, they chose life—until something called to them……

The Cookie Example — Imagine This:

Your teacher brings in a container of cookies. Before stepping out of the room, she says:

“Don’t eat any cookies right now. We’ll enjoy them together at the end of class.”

While she’s gone, Jaylen sneaks a cookie.

Was that wrong? Why or why not?

Questions to Think About:

• Who made the cookies?

• Who do the cookies belong to?

If the teacher made the cookies, does she have the right to decide when and how they’re shared?

What the Bible Says — God’s Garden Rule

Just like the teacher, God is the Creator. He made every tree in the garden and gave Adam and Eve permission to eat from all of them — except one:

• “…but you must not eat the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil…” (Genesis 2:17 NIrV)

God wasn’t being mean or unfair. In fact, He was being generous and loving. He gave Adam and Eve:

• The Tree of Life (a tree that would help them live forever)

• Beautiful trees with delicious fruit

• A perfect garden to live in

• Each other — and even His presence

He gave them one rule to test their trust and obedience. He had every right to do this — just like your teacher has the right to set rules for her classroom and her cookies.

Talk About It

• Why do you think God didn’t let Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of Knowledge?

• What does this story teach us about obeying God, even when we don’t understand everything?

• How does this help you see that God is both fair and good?

Activity: God’s Generosity in the Garden

Draw Your Own Garden!

1. On a blank sheet of paper, draw a garden filled with lots of trees.

2. Label one tree “Tree of Life” and another “Tree of Knowledge.”

3. Color all the trees green and bright. Then, put a small “NO” sign next to the Tree of Knowledge.

4. Count how many trees God said yes to… and how many He said no to.

What does this show you about God’s heart?

Tree of Knowledge: Part two

Why Did God Put the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden?

(Part Two – A Lesson on Trust and Free Will)

Worksheet | Ages 9–13

Lesson Objective:

By the end of this activity, you’ll be able to explain why God gave Adam and Eve a choice—and what it means to love and trust God freely.

1️. IMAGINE A SIMILAR SCENARIO AS THE LAST LESSON:

It’s class party day!

Your teacher sets out lots of food—fruit, chips, sandwiches, and one dessert: a tray of cookies.

Then the teacher says:

• “You can eat anything you see—but do not eat the cookies. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Then she leaves the room.

What you don’t know is—there’s a hidden camera watching.

What do you think your teacher is trying to find out?

[A] If you like cookies

[B] If you’re sneaky

[C] If you’ll obey even when no one’s watching

[D] If you’re hungry

Explain your choice:

2️. THINK ABOUT GOD

God gave Adam and Eve everything in the Garden—but told them not to eat from one tree.

Why do you think He did that?

· Was it to trap them? Or to teach them something?

3️. BIBLE CONNECTION

Deuteronomy 8:2 (ICB):

• “Remember how the Lord your God has led you in the desert for these 40 years. He took away your pride. He tested you. He wanted to know if you would obey his commands.”

What are some ways God still tests our hearts today?

(List 2 examples from your life or school)

1.

2.

4️. TRUE OR FALSE? Circle your answers:

a. God wanted Adam and Eve to fail.

True / False

b. Real love requires a choice.

True / False

c. Obedience is only important when people are watching.

True / False

d. God gives us boundaries because He loves us.

True / False

5️. HEART CHECK

What would you do if you were at that class party and saw the cookies?

Now apply that to real life:

What’s one area where you can show God you trust Him this week—even when no one’s watching?