LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 1:20–23, God continues His creation by filling the empty spaces He had already formed. After making the sky and seas, God speaks and brings life into them. The waters begin to swarm with living creatures, and birds fill the sky. This shows God’s intentional design, He not only created places but also filled them with life and purpose.
This passage highlights God’s creativity and power. Every fish and bird was made by Him, and He saw that it was good. God also blessed these creatures, telling them to multiply. This reminds us that God cares deeply about all living things and that His creation is full of beauty, movement, and life.
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 | Let’s Go Fishing Game
Items Needed
- Let’s Go Fishing Game
- Go Fish Card Game (Optional)
Setup the 2 Let’s Go Fishing Games and have kids compete to win the most fish. Kids can also play the GoFish Card game if there are a large number of kids or interest wains in playing the Let’s Go Fishing Game. Talk about how God created fish and birds on Day 4.
Note: Both games are stored in the bottom of the Preschool Ministry closet.
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 for thanking God for creating animals, especially birds and fish, and for the beautiful world He made for us to enjoy.
BIBLE STORY 11:05–11:15
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 is from the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis. [Point to Bible]
On Day 5, God said, “Let the waters be full of living creatures!”
[Wiggle fingers like swimming] Suddenly, fish were everywhere.
Can you wiggle like a fish? [Let kids respond]
Big fish, little fish, fast fish, slow fish.
[Flap arms] Then God said, “Let birds fly above the earth!”
Birds flew in the sky.
Flap your wings with me. [Kids flap]
Some birds chirped. Can you chirp?
Some birds squawked. Can you squawk?
God saw everything He made.
Make a big smile. [Kids smile]
God said it was good.
Can you say “It is good”? [Wait for response]
Then God blessed them.
That means He told them to grow and fill the earth.
Who made the fish? [Wait for response]
Who made the birds? [Wait for response]
That’s right, God made everything.
Let’s say it together, God made everything. [Repeat together]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Theological Questions
- Who created the fish and the birds? (God created them.)
- What did God say about what He made on Day 5? (He said it was good.)
Life Application Questions
- How can we take care of the animals God made? (Be gentle, don’t hurt them, take care of nature.)
- How can we thank God for His creation? (Pray, say thank you, enjoy and notice what He made.)
BIBLE CRAFT 11:15–11:30 | FISH & BIRDS PLATE
Fish and Bird Creation Craft
BIBLE CRAFT DIRECTIONS: DAY 5 –
Materials:
- Paper plate
- Yellow paint (sky)
- Blue paint (water)
- Paintbrushes
- Pre-cut bird shapes
- Fish stickers (optional, buttons and triangles with glue)
Instructions:
- Give each child a paper plate.
- Have them paint the top half of the plate yellow for the sky.
- Have them paint the bottom half blue for the water.
- Have children glue bird cutouts onto the yellow sky area.
- Have children put fish stickers (or glue buttons/triangles) onto the blue section
- Optional, help children write or trace “Day 5” in the center of the plate.
- As they work, talk about how God made the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea on Day 5.
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 | Feather Race Game (Birds of the Sky!)
Materials Needed:
- Large craft feathers (one per child)
- Masking tape
Setup:
Create a start line and finish line on the floor with masking tape, about 6 feet apart.
Note: For smaller rooms, go two at a time.
Instructions:
- Give each child a feather and have them line up at the start line.
- Say, “Today we are going to be birds God made on Day 5!”
- When you say “Go,” children will blow their feather forward across the floor.
- They may only use their breath, no hands allowed.
- If a feather stops, they can keep blowing to move it again.
- The first feather to reach the finish line wins that round.
Make it Fun Variations:
- Have kids flap their arms like birds while blowing
- Try slow motion round, where they blow gently
- Try a windy storm round, where they blow as hard as they can
Remind children, God made the birds we see flying in the sky.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Flying Feather Birds Balloon Game
Items Needed:
- Balloons (one per child)
- Large craft feathers (2 per child)
- Masking tape
- Permanent markers
Instructions:
- Blow up one balloon for each child and tie it closed.
- Give each child two feathers.
- Help them use masking tape to attach the feathers to the sides of the balloon like wings.
- Use permanent markers to draw eyes and a beak on the balloon to make a bird face.
- Once all birds are ready, have children stand up with their balloon birds.
- Say, “Let’s make our birds fly!”
- Children must tap and gently hit their balloon birds to keep them in the air.
- Encourage them to move around and keep their bird from touching the ground.
- Count how long they can keep their bird flying.
Fun Variations:
- See who can keep their bird in the air the longest
- Play together as a group and try to keep all birds up at once
- Have kids flap their arms like birds while playing
Connection:
Remind children that God made birds to fly high in the sky. Just like their balloon birds are flying, real birds use their wings to soar through the air.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE | Genesis 1:20–23 (ESV)
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Lesson: God Created Fish and Birds (Day 5)
Scripture: Genesis 1:20–23
What We Learned:
God made the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky. Everything He made is good.
Talk About It:
Theological Questions
- Who made the creatures in the sea and the birds in the sky? (God made them all.)
- What did God tell the fish and birds to do? (To multiply and fill the earth.)
- What does it mean that God said His creation was “good”? (It means everything He made was right and pleasing.)
- Did God create animals randomly or with a plan? (With a plan and purpose.)
- What does this story teach us about God’s power? (God can create anything just by speaking.)
Life Application Questions
- What is your child’s favorite animal God made on Day 5? (Answers will vary.)
- How can your family show care for animals and nature? (Be kind to animals, don’t harm them, take care of the environment.)
- When you see birds or fish, how can you remember God? (By thanking Him for what He made.)
- How can you help your child appreciate God’s creation this week? (Go outside, observe animals, talk about God as Creator.)
- How can your family praise God together for His creation? (Pray together, sing songs, thank Him in everyday moments.)