Lesson 1: In the beginning.
Passage: Genesis 1 - In the beginning, God created all that exists, forming it out of empty nothingness, speaking it into being. God created order out of chaos - separating the day from the night, the waters below from the skies above, and the seas from the land. God made the sun, moon, and stars. God filled the earth with vegetation, and with animals to populate the land, the seas, and the skies. Finally, God created human beings in God’s own image and likeness, and gave them the responsibility to be caretakers over all creation.
Big Idea: God is our brilliant creator.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Space Sensory Bin — Activity Leader
Kids are free to explore the sensory bins while the activity leader asks questions about what they see and feel
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are going to be starting something new! We’ll be learning all about the story of God creating the world and the universe and everything that exists
What are some of your favourite things about the world that God made? What are you favourite animals?
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In our video today we learned that God created everything in the whole universe, from the trees and plants and oceans and skies… to all the animal creatures that live in it… and also us human beings too!
Do you remember how God created all of these things?
God’s words are pretty powerful. Do you think our words are powerful too? How so?
What was the job that God gave to humans when God made them and put them in the world?
What are some ways that we can take care of the earth, the animals, and each other?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about how you are the wonderful Creator of all things. Thank you for the beautiful world that you made and that we get to live in. Please help us to love your world and be a friend of creation by taking care of the earth, the animals, and one another. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Galaxy Sponge Painting — Activity Leader
Preschoolers use q-tips instead of sponges for a less messy option.
Kids will paint a galaxy using different colored paints on black paper.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: Animal Call Game — Activity Leader
Put a bunch of matched animal pictures in a bowl; kids will draw one but not show anyone; they will find their match by making the animal’s sound.
Please have the kids return the printed animal pictures to the bowl to be used by the kids in the second service.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’ll be starting a brand new series on the story of Creation. We’ll be going all the way back to the beginning, to the very first book of the Bible.
Does anyone know what it’s called?(Genesis, meaning “beginning”)
Before we watch our video for today, what are some of your favourite parts of God’s world? What are your favourite creatures that live in it?
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In today’s video, we learned that God is the Creator of all things that exist in the universe, from the trees and plants, to the oceans and rivers, to the skies and galaxies. And God created all of the creatures that exist, including us!
What do you think it tells us about God that God created all these things?
If we humans are made in God’s image, then do you think that means we have some of these qualities too?
Does anyone remember how God created all things?
Do you think our words also hold power in some ways? How so?
Does anyone remember what job God gave to humans when we were created?
What are some ways we can do our job to take care of God’s creation? How can we take care of the earth? The animals? Each other?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the things we learned today about how you are the brilliant creator of all things, and that we are called to be a friend of creation. Thank you for the beautiful world that we live in and all the creatures that live here with us. Please help us to see all the ways we can love and care for the earth, the animals, and each other. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Galaxy Sponge Painting — Activity Leader
Kids will sponge paint a galaxy using different colored paints on black paper.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Blindfold Drawing Challenge — Activity Leader
Suggest different animals for the kids to draw on the whiteboard with blindfolds on. Blindfolds will be located in the blue box.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’ll be starting a new series on the story of Creation. Does anyone know which book of the Bible this is found in and what the name of the book means? (Genesis, meaning "In the beginning")
When you hear the word “creation”, what are some things that come to your mind? What are some of your favourite parts of God’s creation?
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In today’s video, we learned that God is the brilliant Creator of all things that exist in the entire universe. God created the land, the seas, the skies, the galaxies, and everything that is in it.
What do you think it tells us about God that God created all these things?
Can anyone remember how the Bible says God created the world?
This shows us that God’s words have power. Do you think our words also have power? How so? Have your words ever had an impact on others, whether positively or negatively?
What was the role that God assigned to human beings when we were created?
What are some practical ways that we can love and care for the earth? The animals? One another?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the things we learned today about how your are the brilliant Creator of all things and how we have the honor and privilege of being put in charge of taking care of your creation. Please help us to love and respect all that you made and find ways to be a good friend and caretaker of creation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Craft: Galaxy Sponge Painting — Activity Leader
Kids will sponge paint a galaxy using different colored paints on black paper
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What did you learn about how God created all things? (using only words, God spoke everything into being)
What does the story of God creating all things in the universe make you think about what God is like?
What was the job that God gave us humans when we were made and put in the world?
What are some ways we can be a friend of creation and take care of it?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What did you learn about how God created all things? (using only words, God spoke everything into being)
What does the story of God creating all things in the universe make you think about what God is like? Since we were made in God’s image, what are some ways that we are also like God?
What was the job that God gave us humans when we were made and put in the world?
What are some ways we can be a friend of creation and take care of the earth, animals, and each other?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What did you learn about the way God created the world? What does that teach us about God? What does it teach us about ourselves?
What do you think it means to be made in the image of God? What are some ways that we reflect God’s characteristics in the world?
What was role that God gave to human beings when we were created? What do you think it means to be a friend of creation?
What are some ways that we can grow in our love for God’s world, animal creatures, an one another?
