• Story 1, “Adam and Eve”
• Optional: Hebrew Bible

• Reacquaint yourself with the story of Adam and Eve, in Genesis 2 and 3.
• Photocopy Story 1, “Adam and Eve,” one for each participant.

Participants hear and discuss a story about the origin of sin.

Ask the group to tell you the story of Adam and Eve from memory. After several youths have shared their thoughts, either read or ask one or more volunteers to read Story 1, “Adam and Eve,” which is based largely on the language of the New Standard Revised Bible. If you prefer more modern language, paraphrase the story or use one of the many available modern versions. Alternatively, you might read essential segments of the story from Genesis 2 and Genesis 3 of the Hebrew Bible.

After hearing the story, help the group to process it by asking questions like these:

• What were some of the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit?
• What do you think of the story?
• Why do you think it has been so popular for so many centuries?

In the course of the group’s discussion, consider offering thoughts like these:

For many centuries, people have asked themselves such big questions as, “Why do bad things happen?” and “Where does evil come from?” Different people and different religions have answered such questions in many different ways. The story of Adam and Eve shows some of the answers offered by the Hebrew, or Jewish, religion. Throughout our time together, we hear what other people have to say about the origin of evil, too.

Complete the activity by asking if participants can tell you why the Conundrum Corner contains an apple. They will probably state correctly that many people think of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge as an apple.