LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 1:14–19, God continues His creation by forming lights in the sky to separate day from night. He creates the sun to rule the day and the moon and stars to rule the night. These heavenly lights are not just for beauty but also to mark seasons, days, and years. This shows God’s order and purpose in everything He made.
This passage reminds us that God is powerful and intentional. The sun, moon, and stars all obey His command and serve His plan. Even the vast sky is under His control. For children, this lesson helps them understand that God made everything they see above them and that His creation is good and purposeful.
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 | Star Stickers Creation Station
Items Needed
- Black or blue construction paper
- Star Stickers
- White Crayons
Set up a table with black construction paper or poster board and provide an assortment of star stickers. Invite kids to create their own night sky by placing stars on their paper. Give them white crayons to draw their own dots (stars) on the paper. Remind them that in today’s lesson, we will learn how God made the sun, the moon, and the stars.
WORSHIP IN SONG 10:45–10:55
Items Needed
- Globe Beach Ball
Note: Stored in bottom of preschool closet
PRAYER 10:55–11:05 a.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Pray for thankfulness for God’s creation, especially the sun, moon, and stars, and how they help us each day and night.
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 the Books of the Bible]
Let’s get ready.
On Day 4, God made something AMAZING. God said, let there be lights in the sky.
First, God made the BIG, bright sun.
[Make a big circle with arms]
Can you pretend to shine like the sun?
[Let kids stretch arms out]
The sun shines during the day.
When do we see the sun?
[Wait for response]
The sun helps us see and keeps us warm.
Rub your arms like you are warming up.
[Brrr, then smile]
Then God made the moon.
The moon shines at night.
Let’s pretend to sleep.
[Lay head on hands]
God also made LOTS and LOTS of stars.
Twinkle your fingers like stars.
[Let kids twinkle fingers]
Can you say twinkle, twinkle?
[Wait for response]
God made the sun for the day. God made the moon and stars for the night.
God saw everything He made, and it was GOOD.
Show me a big thumbs up.
Theological Questions:
- Why do you think God made the sun, moon, and stars instead of leaving the world dark?
- What does the sun, moon, and stars teach us about how powerful and creative God is?
Life Application Questions:
- How can you thank God for the sun, moon, and stars this week?
- When you see the sky, how can it remind you that God is always with you?
BIBLE CRAFT 11:15–11:30 | Sun, Moon, and Stars Paper Plate Craft
Items Needed:
- Paper Plate
- Gray Paint
- Yellow Paint
- Glow in the Dark Stickers (stars)
- Glue
- Paint Brushes
- Smocks
Give each child a paper plate and have them put on a smock. Help them divide the plate in half. On one side, children paint a bright yellow sun to represent the daytime. Encourage them to make it big and bright.
On the other side, children paint the plate gray to represent the moon in the night sky.
Help children glue glow in the dark stars on the gray side (or down the middle)
As they work, remind them that God made the sun to shine during the day and the moon and stars to shine at night.
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 | Sun, Moon, and Stars Run Game
Items Needed
- Print or draw simple pictures of a sun, moon, and stars.
- Masking tape
Note: Tape pictures securely to different areas of the floor or wall, spaced a short distance apart.
How to Play:
Have children line up. One at a time, call a child’s name and then say either “Sun,” “Moon,” or “Stars.” The child will run to the matching picture. If they choose the correct one, celebrate and cheer for them. If they need help, gently guide them to the right spot. After their turn, have them go back to the line so the next child can play. Keep playing until everyone has a turn. If time allows, repeat the game for extra fun.
BONUS ACTIVITY | Stars in a Jar
Items Needed:
- Clear plastic jar with lid
- Glow sticks
- Glitter
Preparation Steps (Adults Only):
Cut open a glow stick and carefully pour the glowing liquid into the jar. Add a small amount of glitter. Secure the lid tightlyShake the jar well to mix.
Activity with Children:
Turn down the lights and show the glowing jar to the children. Gently shake it so they can see the “stars” shining in the dark.
Talk with them:
- Look at all the stars. Can you count them?
- Who made the real stars in the sky?
Remind them that just like the glowing jar is full of tiny lights, God filled the sky with more stars than we can count. Let children take turns holding and gently shaking the jar while discussing how amazing God’s creation is.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Genesis 1:14–19 (ESV)
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.
And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Lesson: God Created the Sun, Moon, and Stars (Genesis 1:14–19)
Main Point: God made the day and the night.
Theological Questions:
- Who created the sun, moon, and stars? (God created them.)
- Why did God make the sun for the day and the moon and stars for the night? (To give light and to separate day and night.)
- What did God say about what He made on Day 4? (He said it was good.)
- What do the sun, moon, and stars show us about God? (They show that God is powerful and creative.)
- Do the sun, moon, and stars obey God? (Yes, they follow His plan every day and night.)
Life Application Questions:
- How can you thank God for the sun that shines during the day? (By praying and telling God thank you.)
- What can you do when you see the moon and stars at night? (Remember God made them and thank Him.)
- How does knowing God made everything help you feel? (Safe, happy, and cared for.)
- When you wake up in the morning, how can you remember God made the day? (By saying a prayer or thanking Him for the sun.)
- How can you tell others about what God made? (By sharing the story or pointing out the sun, moon, and stars.)