Genesis 1:1-2:3

When God Made Everything Bible lesson for kids

A complete When God Made Everything lesson plan for Sunday school or homeschool — one version for each age band, from preschool to preteen. Pick the section that matches your kids and teach.

Jump to Ages 4–6Jump to Ages 6–9Jump to Ages 9–12

Preschool & Kindergarten

Ages 4–6

Objective

Children will understand that God made the good world, made people special, and gave us time to rest.

Opening question

What is your favorite thing that God made?

Tell the story

Read Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 together. In the beginning, God made light, sky, seas, dry land, and every growing plant. God made the sun, moon, stars, fish, birds, land animals, Adam, and Eve, and he called his creation good. After making everything, God rested on the seventh day.

Hands-on activities

Creation Movement Game

Materials: A clear space, Optional animal pictures from books or magazines

  1. Call out light, sky, plants, stars, fish, birds, and animals.
  2. Let children make a movement or sound for each creation.
  3. Crouch quietly when you say darkness.
  4. Jump up and stretch when you say light.
  5. Pretend to rest peacefully when you say the seventh day.
  6. Say together, God made a good world.

Color and Find Creation

Materials: Our free printable coloring page, Crayons

  1. Give each child our free printable coloring page.
  2. Find and point to things God made.
  3. Color the picture with many bright colors.
  4. Name one animal, plant, or person in the picture.
  5. Thank God for one favorite part of creation.

Talk about it

  1. Who made the whole world?
  2. What did God say about everything he made?
  3. How can we care for God's good world?

Closing prayer

God, we thank you for making us and your wonderful world.

Early Elementary

Ages 6–9

Objective

Children will describe the order of creation and explain that people can know God, care for creation, and receive rest as a gift.

Opening question

If you could watch one day of creation happen, which day would you choose?

Tell the story

Read Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 together. God spoke, and light, sky, land, plants, sun, moon, stars, sea creatures, birds, and land animals appeared in an ordered way. God made Adam and Eve in his image, giving people a special place in creation and work to do within it. God saw that creation was very good, and on the seventh day he rested.

Hands-on activities

Creation Day Picture Sort

Materials: Seven sheets of scrap paper, Pencils or crayons, Tape

  1. Write one creation day on each sheet.
  2. Draw simple pictures showing what God made on each day.
  3. Mix the sheets on the floor.
  4. Work together to place them in order.
  5. Act out each day as someone reads the pictures.
  6. Sit quietly for the seventh day and notice how rest feels.

Good World Color Search

Materials: Our free printable coloring page, Crayons or colored pencils, A pencil

  1. Look closely at our free printable coloring page.
  2. Circle three living things and three nonliving things God made.
  3. Color the scene carefully.
  4. Write God made a good world at the bottom.
  5. Add one way you can care for something shown in the picture.
  6. Share your idea with the group.

Talk about it

  1. What does the order of creation show us about God?
  2. What might it mean that people are made in God's image?
  3. Why do you think God included rest in creation?

Closing prayer

God, help us enjoy your creation, care for it, and make time to rest.

Upper Elementary & Preteen

Ages 9–12

Objective

Children will connect creation, human dignity, responsible care, and rest with practical choices at home, school, and among friends.

Opening question

How would your choices change if you remembered that every person and every part of creation belongs to God?

Tell the story

Read Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 together. God brought order and life to a formless, empty world by speaking light, sky, land, plants, heavenly lights, and animals into being. God made Adam and Eve in his image, so human beings have unique dignity and a responsibility to know God and care for his world. God called creation very good and rested on the seventh day, building both meaningful work and rest into life's rhythm.

Hands-on activities

Creation Care Challenge

Materials: Scrap paper, Pencils, A container

  1. Write several needs you notice at home, school, or outdoors.
  2. Include needs involving people, animals, plants, water, or waste.
  3. Place the ideas in a container and draw one.
  4. Discuss one realistic action that shows care.
  5. Choose an action each person can complete this week.
  6. Decide how you will remember and report what happened.

Image and Responsibility Reflection

Materials: Our free printable coloring page, Colored pencils or markers, A pencil, Scrap paper

  1. Study our free printable coloring page before coloring it.
  2. Mark details that show variety, order, beauty, and life.
  3. Color one section while considering why God called creation good.
  4. Write beside the page one truth about human dignity.
  5. Write one way to treat a classmate as someone made in God's image.
  6. Share only what you feel comfortable sharing.

Talk about it

  1. How does being made in God's image affect the way we treat someone who seems different?
  2. What is one creation care problem you can help with without trying to solve everything alone?
  3. How can healthy rest help us trust God instead of measuring our worth only by achievement?

Closing prayer

God, help us honor every person, care for your world, work faithfully, and rest with trust.

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