Creation Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This lesson is on Creation. Give your students plenty of chances to experiment, laugh, learn, and have fun! Let them build relationships with you and with one another!
As the book of Genesis begins, we see these words untarnished by the ages: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) In these few simple words we have the Bible declaration of the origin of the universe. God called all things into being by the word of His power. He spoke and worlds were formed. “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11:3).
The deeds of our God, as seen in creation, are His footprints by which we recognize His work and Himself. The creation story speaks to us of God’s wisdom, power, goodness and love. The more we study the works of creation, the more we learn to love, to wonder, and to adore. When we look up at the sky and its beauty – at the sun, the moon, the stars, and their light – at our earth and at everything that fills it, in all this we recognize God. All God’s creation points us to the Creator, God.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Tonight’s lesson is on Creation. In this lesson give your students plenty of chances to experiment, laugh, learn, and have fun! Let them build relationships with you and with one another!
Theme Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Lutheran Link The First Article I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creature; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
Student Lesson
Exploring God’s Word Creation Genesis 1:1-5
Read from your Bible. Ask students to find it in a Bible too. Those that can read can follow along. Choose the passages you would like to read aloud. Use Tell the Story below. Use visuals to help tell the story. Use a picture Bible to help children see the story.
Let the children know that God gives us the pleasure of knowing Him, our Creator. Let the children know that God has created us from scratch.
No one else is just like you! Let the children know that God doesn’t make mistakes and God doesn’t make yucky things.
In the beginning of time, God made the world and everything in it. Earth was empty and dark. So, the first thing God made was light. He made day and night. The second day God saw that water and land were all mixed up. So, He fixed that too. God spent the next five days making the sun and moon, planting plants, making fish and birds. He made big animals and small animals. He made wild animals and tame animals. And He told each kind of animal to make more animals just like itself. Then God smiled because what He had done was very good. But wait! God had one more thing He wanted to make, you and me!
Tell the Story: Leader: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. On the first day, God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. God made day and night. All: “It was good.” Leader: On the second day, God made sky and water. All: “It was good.” Leader: On the third day, God made dry land and separated it from the water. God made plants and trees. All: “It was good.” Leader: On the fourth day, God made the sun, moon, and stars. All: “It was good.” Leader: On the fifth day, God made fish and birds. All: “It was good.” Leader: On the sixth day God made animals. All: “It was good.” Leader: Also on the sixth day God made Adam in His image. All: “It was very good.” Leader: On the seventh day God rested.
Theme Verse: Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Lutheran Link The First Article I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creature; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.
This is most certainly true.
Play It! Name Game This medium energy game will help students get to know one another. When God created us, He knew us by name.
Group students into teams of six to eight each. Teams line up in a single-file line leaving at least 4 feet between each team.
In our game today, each person will take a turn to call out to his or her team the letters of his or her name. When a vowel (A,E, I, O, or U) is said, team members jump up in the air. When a consonant (any other letter) is said, team members squat down. Let’s practice with my name…..
At your signal, the first student on each team begins calling out the letters of his or her first name while the other students on the team jump or squat down according to the letter called. When the first student is done, the second team member calls out the letters of his or her name with teammates responding as above.
Discussion Questions: What names did you learn? What are some ways we can get to know God more? Listen to these verses: "Before I formed you (in the womb) I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” Jeremiah 1:5a
“He who created you… He who formed you, Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43: 1 God knows us very well! Before He formed us He knew us! He redeemed us, and calls us by name! Wow! That’s awesome!
Clump Breakers Students will form groups based on the numbers the leader calls out. Use an open space.
When I call out a number, you will need to form groups of that size by connecting with others around you. For example, if I call out “five”, you’ll need to hook arms with four other people for a total of 5 people. Make sure you group isn’t too big or too small.
Call out various numbers and keep the game moving quickly. Make sure you include numbers that are impossible for everyone to find a place, like one more that the total number you have in your group.
Discussion Questions: What was it like to find a group quickly? What happened with you couldn’t find someone quickly? How did you feel when you grouped with everyone, but couldn’t get the right number of people?
We are all created in His image, whether we have brown hair or blonde, green eyes or not….we all belong to Him…we are part of His group all the time. Reinforce It!
Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Read this passage from your Bible. Ask students to locate it in a Bible too. Help them learn this verse.
Take a digital photo of each child and print it right away!
While photos are developing, help students write tonight’s Bible verse on an index card. When photos are ready, attach photos to index cards and put a magnetic strip on the back of each so they can hang them up at home.
Closing Gather children around you.
Echo Activity
Teach the song: God is so Good God is so good God is so good God is so good He’s so good to me
After children have learned the song, use this echo prayer as your closing:
Teacher: Thank You, God, for making the world Sing: God is so good
Teacher: Thank You, God, for my life in this beautiful world. Sing: God is so good
Teacher: Thank You, God, for giving us the world to enjoy. Sing: God is so good
Teacher: Thank You, God, for saving the world through Jesus. Sing: He’s so good to me.
Say: God loves you very much! He sent Jesus to be your Savior!
Pray: Dear God, thank you for loving me and taking care of me. Thank you for making EVERYTHING! Thank you for sending Jesus to be my Savior. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Remember that God made us in His own image, and called us very good.
Closing Blessing Gather children around you. Close by saying: Thank you God for loving us every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Blessing:May God, who is all around you, Beginning at the bottom of the circle, slowly pour his love upon you.make a large circle with your hands. Finish by bringing your hands down and wiggling the fingers to resemble rain.) And Jesus, his life a sacrifice,Slowly make a large sign of the cross. Then walk right there beside you.move your hands out to the sides. And may God’s Holy Spirit, Cross your hands over the heart. the one who lives inside you, keep you strong, Move to a “strong man” position. Then comfort, lead and guide you!cross your arms with the hands on corresponding upper arms to communicate comfort. Bring one hand forward with “lead” and the other with “guide” to complete the blessing.)