Jim,

Here's what I used with our children--who knew from their earliest thought that they could not stand in the presence of the Lord--and who by the grace of God in Christ were given faith to not only understand it, but to believe it as well:

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From the Westminster Catechism for Children:

Q.16 Who were our first parents?
Ans. Adam and Eve.
See: Genesis 1:26-28

Q.17 Of what were our first parents made?
Ans. God made the body of Adam out of the ground, and formed Eve from the body of Adam.
See: Genesis 2:7,21-24

Q.18 What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies?
Ans. He gave them souls that could never die.
See: Ecclesiastes 12:7

Q.19 Do you have a soul as well as a body?
Ans. Yes; I have a soul that can never die.

Q.20 How do you know that you have a soul?
Ans. Because the Bible tells me so.
See: Ecclesiastes 12:7, Luke 23:43

Q.21 In what condition did God create Adam and Eve?
Ans. He made them holy and happy.
See: Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 1:31

Q.22 What is a covenant?
Ans. An agreement between two or more persons.

Q.23 What covenant did God make with Adam?
Ans. The Covenant of Works.

Q.24 What was Adam bound to do by the Covenant of Works?
Ans. To obey God perfectly.
See: Genesis 2:15-17

Q.25 What did God promise in the Covenant of Works?
Ans. To reward Adam with life if he obeyed Him.
See: Galatians 3:12

Q.26 What did God threaten in the Covenant of Works?
Ans. To punish Adam with death if he disobeyed Him.
See: Genesis 2:17

Q.27 Did Adam keep the Covenant of Works?
Ans. No; he sinned against God.
See: Genesis 3:1-8

Q.28 What is sin?
Ans. Sin is any failure to conform to, or transgression of, the Law of God.
See: 1 John 3:4

Q.29 What does "failure to conform" mean?
Ans. Not being or doing what God requires.
See: James 4:17, Malachi 3:8, Daniel 6:4.

Q.30 What does "transgression" mean?
Ans. Doing what God forbids.
See: James 2:10-11, Hosea 6:7, 1 John 3:4

Q.31 What was the sin of our first parents?
Ans. Eating the forbidden fruit.

Q.32 Who tempted them to this sin?
Ans. The devil tempted Eve, and she gave the fruit to Adam.
See: Genesis 3:6

Q.33 What befell our first parents when they had sinned?
Ans. Instead of being holy and happy, they became sinful and miserable.
See: Genesis 3:16-19

Q.34 Did Adam act for himself alone in the Covenant of Works?
Ans. No; he represented all his posterity.
See: Romans 5:12,18,19

Q.35 What effect did the sin of Adam have on all mankind?
Ans. All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery.
See: Ephesians 2:1-3

Q.36 What is that sinful nature which we inherit from Adam called?
Ans. Original sin.
See: James 1:14-15, Matthew 15:19

Q.37 What does every sin deserve?
Ans. The wrath and curse of God.
See: Romans 6:23

Q.38 Can anyone go to heaven with this sinful nature?
Ans. No; our hearts must be changed before we can be fit for heaven.
See: Revelation 21:27, 22:14-15

Q.39 What is the change of heart called?
Ans. Regeneration.

Q.40 Who can change a sinner's heart?
Ans. The Holy Spirit alone.
See: Titus 3:5, John 3:1-8

Q.41 Can anyone be saved through the Covenant of Works?
Ans. None can be saved through the Covenant of Works.
See: Ephesians 2:8-9

Q.42 Why can none be saved through the Covenant of Works?
Ans. Because all have broken it, and are condemned by it.
See: Romans 3:23; Hosea 6:7

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The Savior's words are as true as ever:

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4. NIV)

In Christ,
Paul S