This lesson teaches children that God made the whole world by speaking it into being, and that everything He made is good. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the activity and prayer.
Big Idea
God made everything, and He made it all very good. He planned the world carefully, one day at a time, and He loves every part of it.
Memory Verse
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
(WEB)
Have children stretch both arms wide at the words “heavens and the earth,” then bring their hands together in front of their chest as they say “God created.” Repeat the motion together three times until the words feel familiar.
The Story: Genesis 1 for Kids
In the very beginning, there was nothing but water and darkness. The earth was empty and formless, but God was already there, and His Spirit was moving over the waters. Then God spoke, and He said, “Let there be light!” And light appeared. God saw that it was good, and He called the light day and the darkness night. That was the first day.
On the second day, God made the sky to separate the waters above from the waters below. On the third day, God gathered the waters into one place so dry land could appear. He named the land earth and the gathered waters seas. Then God made plants, grass, flowers, and trees with fruit and seeds, and He saw that it was good.
On the fourth day, God filled the sky with the sun, the moon, and the stars. The sun ruled the day and the moon ruled the night. On the fifth day, God filled the seas with fish and the sky with birds. He blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply!” That was the fifth day, and God was pleased with His work.
On the sixth day, God made the animals of the land, big and small, wild and tame. Then God said, “Let us make people in our image.” So God made the first man and the first woman, and He gave them the job of caring for the world. God looked at everything He had made, and it was very good. That was the sixth day.
On the seventh day, God rested from all His work. He made that day special and holy, a day to rest and remember that He made the world.
Read It Together
Genesis 1:3-4
3 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness.
(WEB)
Point out the three words God speaks and how light follows right away. Ask children to notice the repeated phrase “it was good,” because God is showing that His work is pleasing to Him.
Genesis 1:26-27
26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them.
(WEB)
Explain that people are made in God’s image, which means we reflect Him in special ways. Help children see that this makes every person valuable, and that God made both men and women.
Genesis 1:31
God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
(WEB)
Show children that God looked over all of His creation and called it very good. Encourage them to notice how this verse wraps up the whole chapter with joy and satisfaction.
Talk About It
- What is your favorite thing God made on the first five days, and why do you like it?
- How did God make the world, and what does that tell you about how powerful He is?
- Why do you think God said “it was good” so many times in this story?
- What does it mean that people are made in God’s image, and how can you show that to others?
- How can we take care of the world God gave us, like He asked the first people to do?
Activity Ideas
Six Days Drawing Strip
You will need a long strip of paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Fold the paper into six equal sections and label them Day 1 through Day 6. Ask children to draw one thing God made on each day, starting with light and ending with people and animals. Let them share their pictures when they finish.
Stop and Go Creation Game
Clear a space in the room and ask children to pretend they are the things God made. When you call out “light,” they raise their arms high. Call out “water,” and they wiggle like fish. “Land” means they stomp their feet, and “people” means they stand tall and smile. Play a few rounds, then have children say “It is good!” together.
Good Creation Jar
You will need a clear jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. Each day for a week, have your child write or draw one thing they noticed in God’s creation, like a bird, a cloud, or a flower, and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes aloud and thank God together for the good things in the world.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Genesis 1 shows that God is the sovereign Creator who brings order out of formlessness by His word. It also teaches that humanity is uniquely made in God’s image and given responsibility to care for creation, which shapes how we think about worth, work, and rest.
Avoid overstating how the days should be understood scientifically or how long each day lasted. Children are best served by focusing on the truth that God made everything, He made it good, and He cares about every part of His world.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for making the sky, the sea, the sun, and every living thing. Thank You for making us in Your image and for caring for us every day. Help us take good care of Your world and remember that You made it all very good. Amen.
