Lesson Overview for ADULTS
In Genesis 2:1-3, we discover the beautiful conclusion to God’s perfect creation week. After six magnificent days of creating the heavens, earth, and all living creatures, God completed His work and declared it all good. The seventh day was set apart as a special day of rest. God rested not because He was tired or exhausted, but because His creation was perfect and complete. Like a master artist stepping back to admire a finished masterpiece, God rested to reflect upon and enjoy what He had accomplished.
This divine rest was not born of weariness, for God never grows tired or weary. Instead, it was a holy pause. It was a time of satisfaction and contemplation over His perfect work. God blessed this seventh day and made it holy, establishing a pattern for humanity to follow. This rest teaches us that taking time to stop, reflect, and appreciate God’s goodness is not only acceptable but commanded.
MISSIONBIBLECLASS.ORG LESSON (CLICK HERE)
WELCOME SENSORY BINS 6:00-6:15 p.m.
God Rested PlayDoh Mats
Items Needed
- Day 7 Creation Playdoh Mats
- Playdoh
- Coloring Pages
- Crayons
Children create things on the Playdoh Mats while teachers casually discuss with them how our story today is about God resting to appreciate and enjoy the beautiful world he created.
WORSHIP JESUS THRU MUSIC: 6:20-6:30 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
- Globe Beach Ball
- Music on TV
SONGS
Note: We will do these two songs for the entire Creation story. For the first one, we will throw the Globe Beach Ball as we sing it. For the second one, we will learn the motions.
WORSHIP JESUS THRU PRAYER: 6:30-6:40 p.m.
WHISPER A PRAYER SONG & FORM CIRCLE
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time.
BIBLE GAME, STORY, & CRAFT 6:40-7:10 p.m.
BIBLE GAME: Seven Day Creation Hop 6:40-6:50
Materials Needed:
- 2 Sets of 7 Days of Creation Hop Circles
Place numbered circles on the floor in order. Children hop from circle 1 to 6 naming what God created each day (light, sky, land/plants, sun/moon/stars, fish/birds, animals/people). When they reach circle 7, they must sit down quietly and whisper “God rested” while folding their hands peacefully.
BIBLE STORY 6:50-7:00
Question 1: Where is this story found in the Bible? (Genesis)
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament)
[Hold up a small pillow and blanket]
For six whole days, God had been very busy! He made light and darkness, sky and water, land and plants, sun and moon and stars, fish and birds, and animals and people. Wow! What a busy week!
But you know what happened on day seven? God looked at everything He had made – the pretty flowers, the singing birds, the tall trees, the bright sun – and He said, “This is very, very good!” God was so happy with His beautiful world.
So on the seventh day, God decided to rest. Now, God didn’t rest because He was tired like we get tired after playing hard. God never gets tired! God rested because He was finished making the world, and it was perfect. It was time to stop working and enjoy looking at all the wonderful things He had created.
[Show children how to take deep, peaceful breaths]
God made the seventh day special. He blessed it and made it holy. That means it was set apart as a very special day – a day for resting and thinking about God and all His good gifts.
And you know what? God wants us to rest too! Just like we need to sleep at night to feel good, God wants us to have times when we rest our bodies and think about Him. When we rest, we can remember all the beautiful things God has made for us to enjoy.
Theological Questions:
- Why did God rest on the seventh day? (Because He was finished creating and wanted to enjoy His work)
- Does God get tired like we do? (No, God never gets tired)
Life Application Questions:
- What helps you feel rested and peaceful? (Accept various answers)
- How can we remember God when we rest? (Pray, think about His creation, be thankful)
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for creating such a beautiful world for us to enjoy. Help us to rest in You and remember Your love for us every day. Amen.
Craft: God’s Eye Masks (11:00-11:15 a.m.)
Materials Needed:
- Plain cloth eye masks (one per child)
- Puff paint in various colors
- Plastic gems or rhinestones
- Small pom-poms
- Fabric glue
- Sequins
- Paper plates (for organizing materials)
- Wet wipes for cleanup
- Aprons or old shirts to protect clothing
Activity Instructions:
Give each child a plain cloth eye mask and let them create their very own “God’s Rest Day” mask using puff paint and decorations! Children can squeeze puff paint onto their masks to create dots, lines, or simple shapes like stars and hearts, then press on foam shapes, plastic gems, and small pom-poms while the paint is still wet so everything sticks together. They can add sequins to make their masks sparkle like the stars God created. As they work, remind them that just like God made everything beautiful and then rested on the seventh day, they’re making something beautiful too and will get to rest while wearing their special mask. Encourage children to use their masks during quiet rest time while thinking about all the wonderful things God created!
SNACK TIME & CENTERS: 7:10-7:25 p.m.
ITEMS NEEDED
Coloring Page
Crayons
Snack
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks.
A coloring sheet will be available for kids to color while they eat their snack.
DISMISSAL 7:25-7:30 p.m.
Prepare for dismissal.
- PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Scripture Reference
Genesis 2:1-3 (KJV)
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.