God Creates the World
In the beginning God made the heavens and the earth. Over six days he made light, sky, land, plants, sun, moon, stars, fish, birds, animals and people. On the seventh day he rested.
You will learn to...
- Retell what God made on each of the seven days in Genesis 1–2.
- Understand that God called his creation good.
- Name one way to take care of God's world.
Words to know
- Create
- To make something new.
- Image of God
- People are made to reflect God's love and care in special ways.
- Sabbath
- A day of rest set apart for God.
Read the full lesson (for older kids and grown-ups)
The Bible begins with God. Before there were mountains, oceans or animals, God was there. Genesis 1 says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. At first the earth was empty and dark, and God's Spirit was hovering over the waters.
Then God spoke, and light appeared. Day by day, God shaped his world: the sky above, the seas and dry land, plants with seeds and fruit, the sun, moon and stars, fish and birds, and animals of every kind.
On the sixth day God made people in his own image, to know him and to care for everything he had made. God looked at all of it and saw that it was very good. On the seventh day God rested and blessed that day as special.
Everything around us — the sky, the trees, the animals and you — was made by God on purpose. Genesis tells us God called his creation good. Being made 'in God's image' means every person is special and valuable to God. Christians read Genesis 1 in different ways about how long the days were, but all agree on the big message: God made everything, and it was good.
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Family conversation starters
- Which day of creation would you most like to have seen, and why?
- What does it mean that every person is made in God's image? How should that change the way we treat others?
Main people: God, Adam, Eve · Topics: Creation, God's goodness, Caring for the world, Rest · Review status: awaiting theological review