LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 1:9-13, God continues His creation by gathering the waters so dry land appears. He names the dry land Earth and the gathered waters Seas. This moment shows God’s order and authority as He shapes the world into a place ready for life.
God then fills the land with plants, trees, and vegetation, each designed to grow and reproduce. This reveals God’s creativity and care, providing beauty and food for His creation. Everything God made was good, showing His perfect design and purpose for the earth.
PLAY ROOM 10:15–10:30
Children will be dropped off in the playroom between 10:15–10:30 a.m. Allow them to play freely as they arrive. Transition them to the classroom at 9:00 a.m.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:30–10:45 | God’s Creation Collage
Items Needed
- Manilla construction paper (one per child)
- Dried leaves (various sizes and colors)
- Small twigs and thin branches
- Acorns or small pinecones
- Dried flower petals or small artificial flowers
- Small pebbles or smooth stones
- Small pieces of bark
- Glue (multiple for sharing)
Give each child a piece of manilla paper. Provide small nature items like dried leaves, small twigs, acorns, flower petals, and small pebbles. Children glue these natural materials onto their paper to create a collage. Discuss how God made all of these things on Day 3.
WORSHIP IN SONG 10:45–10:55
Items Needed
- Globe Beach Ball
Note: Stored in bottom of preschool closet
Toss the ball around as you sing two rounds of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. Then do one or two rounds of “My God is So Big.”
PRAYER 10:55–11:05 a.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray in gratitude for the earth, plants, trees, and all the beautiful things God made for us to enjoy and take care of.
BIBLE STORY 11:05–11:15 a.m.
Classroom Promise: With my eyes on my teacher, my mouth quiet as can be, I will listen to hear, how God loves you and me.
Where do the stories we learn about come from?
[Wait for response]
That’s right, the Bible. These are God’s stories.
Today’s story comes from the Old Testament, from the book of Genesis.
[Point to Genesis in the Bible]
[Have kids sit, then get ready to move]
In the very beginning, there was water everywhere. God said, let the water come together. And guess what appeared?
Dry land.
Everyone stomp your feet like you are standing on land.
[Let kids stomp]
God called the dry land Earth.
Can you say Earth?
[Wait for response]
Then God gathered the water and called it Seas.
Can you make wave motions with your arms?
[Let kids respond]
God saw it, and it was good.
Let’s say, it was good.
[Repeat together]
Then God said, let plants grow.
[Open hands like something growing]
Suddenly, plants started popping up.
Can you pretend to grow like a plant? Start small, then stand tall.
[Let kids act it out]
There were green plants. There were flowers. There were big trees. God made trees with fruit.
Can you pretend to pick an apple?
[Let kids act]
And plants with seeds to grow more plants.
[Make tiny seed motion with fingers]
God made all kinds of plants.
Can you name a plant?
[Let kids respond]
God saw everything He made, and it was good.
Let’s say it again, it was good.
[Repeat together]
Who made the land?
[Wait for response]
Who made the plants?
[Wait for response]
That’s right, God did.
And everything God made was good.
Let’s say thank you God.
[Repeat together]
THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What did God create on the third day? (Land, plants, and trees)
- How did God feel about what He made? (He said it was good)
LIFE APPLICATION DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How can we take care of the plants and trees God made? (Water them, don’t pick or break them)
- What can you say to God when you see something beautiful outside? (Thank You, God)
BIBLE CRAFT 11:15–11:30 | Fingerprint Bouquet
Items Needed:
- Bouquet template (printed on cardstock)
- Washable paint (pink, red, purple, or any flower colors)
- Baby wipes or paper towels for cleaning fingers
Instructions:
- Give each child a bouquet template.
- Let children dip their fingertips into the paint.
- Have them press their fingers gently onto the paper above the stems to create flower petals. Encourage them to make lots of fingerprints to form a bouquet. Use different colors to make the flowers bright and fun.
- As they work, remind them that God made beautiful flowers and plants for us to enjoy.
SNACK TIME & BIBLE STORY VIDEO 11:30–11:40
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks while watching the Bible Video.
BIBLE STORY GAME 11:40–11:55 | Earth Yoga
Explain: Today we are going to use our bodies to act out what God made on Day 3.
Start with Tree Pose (Plants):
Have children stand tall.
Put hands together in front like praying and lift one foot to their leg.
Say:
“God made plants and trees!”
Let them try to balance. Help them if needed.
Land Movements:
Say: “God made the land!”
Have kids:
- Lay down flat like the ground
- Roll side to side like sand on the beach
- Pat the floor with their hands
Ask:
“Who made the land?” (God)
Sea Movements:
Say: “God made the seas!”
Have kids:
- Stand up and sway like waves
- Move arms up and down like water
- Make splashing sounds
Add:
“Splash, splash!”
[Let kids repeat]
Mix It Up Game:
Call out:
- LAND, kids drop and roll
- SEA, kids wave and splash
- TREES, kids freeze in tree pose
Go faster each round to keep it fun and active.
End Together:
Say:
“God made land, seas, and plants, and it was good!”
BONUS ACTIVITY | Leaf Rubbing
Supplies Needed:
- Real tree leaves (different shapes and sizes)
- White paper
- Crayons
- Tape (optional)
Instructions:
- Give each child a piece of paper and a few leaves.
- Place a leaf under the paper with the bumpy side facing up.
- Hold the paper still or tape it lightly so it does not move.
- Have children rub the side of a crayon gently over the paper.
- Watch as the leaf pattern appears like magic.
- Try different leaves and colors to see different designs.
Teaching Moment:
Talk about how every leaf looks different. God made each one special and unique.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV) | Genesis 1:9-13
9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth,[a] and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants[b] yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Lesson: God Created Land and Plants (Day 3)
Scripture: Genesis 1:9-13
What Your Child Learned:
Today your child learned that God made the dry land and filled it with plants, trees, and flowers. They discovered that God made everything grow and that His creation is good. Children explored how plants start small like seeds and grow into something beautiful.
THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS
- Who made the land? (God)
- Who made the plants and trees? (God)
- What did God say about His creation? (It was good)
- Where do we learn about this story? (The Bible)
- Did God make everything by accident or on purpose? (On purpose)
APPLICATION LIFE QUESTIONS
- Can you thank God for the plants and trees? (Yes)
- Should we take care of the earth God made? (Yes)
- Can you name something God made that you like? (Answers will vary)
- Can you help water plants or take care of them? (Yes)
- When you see something beautiful outside, who should you remember? (God)