LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 1:1-5, we see the very beginning of everything. God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing. At first, everything was dark and empty. Then God spoke, and light appeared. This shows God’s power, that He can create simply by speaking. He did not need tools or help. He is the Creator of all things.
This passage also introduces the rhythm of day and night. God separated the light from the darkness and called the light day and the darkness night. This reminds us that God brings order to chaos and that He is in control of everything. It also helps children begin to understand that God is good and that what He creates is good.
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 10:30 a.m.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:30–10:45 | Light and Dark Exploration
Items Needed
Turn the lights off in the room and ask the children what they see.
Ask:
- Is it easy to see in the dark?
- How does it feel when it is dark?
Then turn on a flashlight or the lights.
Ask:
- What changed?
- Can you see better now?
Let children take turns turning a flashlight on and off.
Next, have the children sit on the floor with their flashlights and teach them how to make shadow puppets. Spread them into two groups (one with the teacher and one with the assistant) and take turns making shadow puppets.
Explain that today we are learning about when God made light.
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. Have each kid go around the room and say a prayer (as they want, never force a kid to say a prayer). Pray for God to help us remember that He made everything, including light, and thank Him for bringing light into the world and into our lives.
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]
The Bible. These are God’s stories.
Today’s story comes from the Old Testament, from the book of Genesis.
[Point to Books of the Bible poster on the wall]
In the very beginning… there was nothing!
Everything was dark.
[Turn off lights or cover eyes]
Then God said, Let there be light!
Can you say “Let there be light”?
[Repeat together a few times]
And guess what happened?
LIGHT!
[Turn on lights or flashlight]
God made the light! God saw the light was good.
Show me a thumbs up for good!
[Let kids respond]
Then God separated the light from the dark.
Let’s try it.
Stand up!
When I say DAY, jump up and smile!
When I say NIGHT, crouch down and pretend to sleep!
DAY!
[Kids jump]
NIGHT!
[Kids crouch]
DAY!
NIGHT!
Great job!
God called the light Day and the darkness Night.
Can you say Day?
[Wait]
Can you say Night?
[Wait]
And that was the very first day!
God made light because He is powerful.
Let’s say it one more time, God made the light!
[Repeat]
Amen!
THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS
- Who made the light? (God)
- What did God say to make the light? (Let there be light)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
- Can you thank God for making the light? (Yes)
- What do you like to do in the daytime that God made? (Play, go outside, etc.)
BIBLE CRAFT 11:15–11:30 | “Let There Be Light” Tissue Art
Supplies:
- Black construction paper
- Yellow and orange tissue paper
- Glue sticks
Give each child a dark piece of paper. Have them glue bright tissue paper on one side and remind them God brought light into the darkness on Day 1. Encourage them to make it look like light shining into darkness
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 | Light Chase Game
Dim the lights in the room. Use a flashlight and shine it around the room. Children must follow the light and try to “catch” it with their hands. When the light stops, kids must freeze. If they don’t freeze, they have to sit down and wait for the next round. Remind them throughout that God made the light, and light moves into darkness.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Shadow Play
If time allows, repeat the opening activity with shadow play. Use a flashlight to make shadows on the wall with hands.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE | Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Lesson: Creation Day 1
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5
Main Point: God made light
What we learned:
Today your child learned that in the very beginning, everything was dark. God spoke and created light. He separated light from darkness and made day and night.
Ask your child:
- Who made the light? (God)
- What did God create on the first day? (Light)
- Was it light or dark at the very beginning? (Dark)
- What did God say to make the light? (Let there be light)
- What did God call the light? (Day)
- What did God call the darkness? (Night)
- What do you do during the day? (Play, eat, go outside, etc.)
- What do you do at nighttime? (Pray before bed, read stories, sleep, take a bath)
- Is light good or bad? (Good)
- Who made everything in the whole world? (God)