Genesis 1 & 2

Lesson Aim

To understand that God created everything.

Hook 1: Challenge

Have a box of lego or building bricks

Ask two children to make the tallest tower in 30 seconds.

Remove the building bricks, then ask them to make another tower without the bricks. When they say that it can’t be done explain how God made the earth, moon, sun and stars using nothing.

Hook 2: Modelling medium

Give 2 or 3 children some modelling medium like play-doh, plasticine or BluTack. Ask the children to make a person, animal, bird or fish. Then hold it up to the other children and ask whether the model looks perfect (be kind in the criticism offered e.g. ‘Good, it has two arms two legs and two feet.’) then say that the biggest problem with the model is that it is dead and has no life in it. When you tell the story of creation emphasise that the creatures God made were alive.

Hook 3: Creating paper outlines

Give each child a piece of paper and tell them to create the outline of a tree or an animal by tearing the paper (you can include a leader in this challenge by blindfolding the leader). Time the event and make it a competition by giving them one minute. Afterwards look at some of the creations and discuss how difficult it was when you were only making the outline. From this discuss how magnificent God’s creation was. He was making complete trees / animals not just outlines.

Hook 4: DIY instructions

Send a leader out of the room. Have the instructions for a piece of DIY furniture and all of the pieces. Lay them out and try to put some of them together. Explain how difficult it is even though you have the instructions. Then bring back the leader and let them attempt the task without instructions and without telling them what the finished object will be. From this tell the children how God made everything without instructions and without ready made parts. God made a perfect job of it.

Hook 5: Cake ingredients

Have all of the ingredients necessary to make a cake but not in the correct quantities. Instruct someone to make a cake but do not give them weighing scales or a recipe. From this you can explain how difficult it is to make something without instructions or without the correct quantities. However God made a perfect universe without either of these.

Hook 6: Orders

Give the children something which they can make e.g. the things needed to make a jam sandwich. Before letting them make it, ask them which part of their body they would use to make something i.e. their hands. Explain that God did not use hands to create things, he used his voice and commanded things to exist e.g. light, plants and birds.

When you tell the story of creation emphasis the words ‘God said’ on each of the seven days.

Hook 7: Questions

What is the best meal that your mam / dad has ever made? What ingredients did they use to make it? OR What is the best thing which you have ever made? The thing which you are most proud of.

Our story today is about the most wonderful things ever made. This was not a meal but everything around us, the world, the solar system even the universe.

Application

The application should be based upon three points

1. God creating everything.

2. God creating everything from nothing.

3. God made everything perfect

Language

Created means God made