Catechism – Week 12 – The Incarnation

Why Did God Become a Man in Jesus Christ?

It may help to refresh your children on week 7 regarding Adam, Eve, and sin.

Romans 5:12 – When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. (NLT)

What happened when Adam sinned?
All people have become sinners by choosing our own way rather than following God. Sin separates us from him. Death also occurs because we do as Adam did.

Are there any people who are able to not sin?
No, everyone old enough to choose between good and bad has chosen bad and sinned.

If we are all sinners, how can we relate well to God?
Read: Galatians 4:4-5, “When the right time came, God sent his Son born of a woman, subject to the law [of God against which we have sinned]. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (NLT)
Answer: God became a person to live correctly on our behalf. Since nobody born from Adam could be without sin, God had to do it himself in the person of Jesus.

Scripture Memory Verse:

Romans 5:19 – Because one person disobeyed God [Adam], many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God [Jesus Christ], many will be made righteous. (NLT)

Why did God become a man in Jesus Christ?
God became a human to live the life that people should live on our behalf because we can’t do it ourselves.

Adults and older students are encouraged to receive a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.