(All material is original to the author with the exception of songs and activities which have been borrowed from various sources. All studies are free for public use.)
Scripture Reference: Genesis 1:20-31
Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1
(Compiled and written by Martin W. Wiles)
NOTE:
(Craft time will involve using a kitchen and stove.)
Objectives:
The lesson objective is to help children understand that God has created everything they see and can’t see. Children attending public schools will be introduced to the theory of evolution and will doubtlessly not hear creation taught as another option for how the world began. Teachers should introduce God as the source of creation without instilling a negative spirit within the children toward their teachers or others who might adhere to an evolutionary viewpoint. Rather, children should be given the knowledge needed to present just as strong of a case for creation as for evolution. Make sure children understand that they should give their beliefs and viewpoints with love not anger or hate.
Icebreaker Questions:
What kind of animals do you think might have been on the earth when God originally created it that aren’t here now? (The following link will give extinct animals of North America: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_extinct_animals_of_North_America)
How do you think the first two humans, Adam and Eve, might have looked? (Other than that they were naked, we don’t know.)
Can you imagine what it would be like to pet any of the animals now considered “wild” without them harming you? (Prior to the time of Noah, it appears all animals got along with each other as well as Adam and Eve. They, along with humans, ate only vegetation. See Genesis 9:1ff.)
Say: Today we’re going to continue a month long story about how God created the world and made animals and humans. The story you hear will likely be different from the one you’re taught in school in your science classes. They will teach you about a concept called evolution which means that life forms developed from other life forms. You may hear that at one time humans were monkeys but that over time we developed into what we are today. You will hear the same about animals. You will also hear your teachers teach that the world is billions of years old rather than thousands of years old.
Say: (Display the following verse where the children can easily see it.) Let’s say our memory verse together. This will be our memory verse for the entire month. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NLT)
Bible Story Time:
Tell children about the fifth and sixth day of creation:
Remember from last week that God had separated the land from the water, but there was nothing living in the seas or on the land. The world had been created but not populated.
Reflection: Suppose you were the only person on the earth and there were no animals or sea life? How do you think you’d feel?
God’s plan wasn’t simply to create a world and not put anything on it. On the fifth day, he created sea life as well as the birds of the sky. After he had finished creating them, he instructed them to multiply.
Reflection: Do you think there were types of fish, sea creatures, and birds on the earth then that aren’t now? Many species are now extinct. Do you think God wants us to work hard to preserve the animal life he has created so no more species become extinct? For instance, we saved the eagle, grizzly bear, and buffalo.
On the final day of creation, God created land animals and humans. God created the land animals first, and then he created the first man and named him Adam. Adam was given the responsibility of naming all the animals. One thing Adam didn’t discover when he finished naming the animals was any that compared to him. He was surrounded by animals, plants, and sea life, but there was no one he could communicate with. Everything up until this point, God had declared good. However, now he said it wasn’t good for man to be alone, so he created a woman by taking a rib from Adam’s side.
One thing the Bible says about God creating man that it doesn’t about anything else is that he was created in the image of God.
Reflection: What do you think it means for humans to be created in God’s image?
To be created in God’s image doesn’t mean we look like him because the Bible tells us God doesn’t have a physical body; he is spirit. Being created in God’s image involves: the ability to think, reason, and create; the ability to show love and forgiveness; the ability to be kind and faithful; and the ability to reflect God’s characteristics to other people.
Reflection: Since God created the world and everything in it—including people, how should we treat God’s earth as well as other human beings? What are some ways you can show God’s image in you to others?
Craft Time:
• Using one batch of dough, explain how God formed Adam from the dust of the earth and how we are all made from the same matter, just as the Gingerbread character is made from the same batch of dough.
• Then as the children cut the Gingerbread character out with a small cutter, explain how we are all made the same way no matter what color or ethnic group we come from.
• Once the Gingerbread characters are baked, note the differences.
Reflection: Let students explain how--even if we are made the same way from the same stuff, we are also unique and special.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 12-16 cookies
Ingredients:
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. cloves
• gel icing for decorating (optional)
• M&Ms or striped white chocolate chips for decorating (optional)
Preparation: (Steps 1 to 4 teacher will need to complete at home.)
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the molasses, egg and vanilla. Beat well.
2. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.
3. Stir into the wet ingredients until well-incorporated (you can do this with your hands).
4. Separate the dough into three pieces. Form into logs and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
5. When ready to bake, remove dough from oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
6. Roll dough out to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Use cookie cutters to make gingerbread people.
7. Bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool and decorate.
Transition:
Let’s sing our song about God’s creation.
Song:
God in Heaven Made the Earth (to the tune of Old MacDonald)
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
and on the earth he made the seas – isn't God so good!
With a big wave here, and a big wave there,
here a wave, there a wave, everywhere a wave wave!
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
and on the earth he made the hills – isn't God so good!
With a big hill here and a big hill there,
here a hill, there a hill, everywhere a hill hill!
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
and on the earth he made the snow – isn't God so good!
With a big pile here, and a big pile there,
here a pile, there a pile, everywhere a pile, pile!
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
And on this earth he made the people – isn't God so good!
With a little boy here and little girl there,
here a boy, there a girl, everywhere a boy girl!
God in heaven made the earth – isn't God so good!
Take Away:
Let each child tell one thing they learned from the story about the fifth and sixth days of creation.
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