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02-Creation Ordered - Lesson 2
02-Creation Ordered - Lesson 2
God made everything. God made all things to worship Him. We, as humans, decided to not do things Gods way, but to worship other things instead of worshiping the one true God. God chose to remedy this sin. He sent Jesus, His only Son, to live a perfect life. He then died on a cross for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day Jesus life and death and resurrection allow us to worship God rightly again, forever.
Written by: Kimberly Davidson & Steve Wright Graphic Design by: Michele Castillo | www.sonscapecommunications.com Art Design by: Amy Torcasso Editor: Jennifer Sharpe Music: Daniel Renstrom Website: http://www.treasuringchristonline.org | 919-326-3000 | Email: tcc@pray.org
Copyright 2011 by Providence Baptist Church. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for profit via electronic, mechanical, recording or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Dear Sunday School Teacher, Your ministry as a teacher for our Lord has eternal value! When we view our ministry in light of eternity, we see its importance and the privilege that God has entrusted to us. In Psalm 78, the Bible also reminds us of this great calling: One generation commending the Gospel to the next. Treasuring Christ Curriculum: The ministry resource that you hold in your hand is produced and shaped by the local churchThe Bride of Christ. We have three primary strategies that guide us. First, we desire to produce a Gospel-centered curriculum that allows every child, babies to high school students, to study the same Scripture passage each week. Second, we seek to equip parents to thrive in their God-given role as their childs primary discipler. We want this resource, therefore, to connect the church and the home by providing the Connecting Church and Home resource within the curriculum. Third, we want to respond to the desperate need for curriculum resources around the world. We desire to bless the nations with a tool that will help them reach the world with the Gospel of Christ. Quarter One: God on Display Every relationship begins with an introduction. God introducing Himself to us is the heartbeat of this study. God on Display is a major theme that runs throughout all of Scripture. Gods desire to have communion with those He created is seen from cover to cover of the Bible. In the first few pages, we see God communing in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. The theme of communion continues to be seen through the role of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple. In the New Testament, God became incarnate in Jesus, God with us. After Jesus, the Father gives the Holy Spirit to believers and institutes the Church. Fellowship in the Church breeds community, both with God and others made in His likeness. As believers, we are guaranteed that we will spend eternity in communion with God, dwelling in His presence. God is on display: everywhere; in the past, present and future; and in our lives as believers. Let us live continually to display Gods greatness and love.
Creation ordered
WEEK T WO
OVERVIEW FOR YOuR EdIFICaTIOn EaRlY ChIldhOOd ElEmEnTaRY PRE-TEEn/mIddlE sChOOl hIgh sChOOl COnnECTIng ChuRCh and hOmE REsOuRCEs
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
OVERVIEW
EaRlY ChIldhOOd
ElEmEnTaRY
hIgh sChOOl
Treasure Verse
Psalm 150:6 God created everything to give Him praise. Paper plate fish, Global vision, Alphabet creation game, Song time, Field trip to church grounds
Psalm 150:6 God created everything to give Him praise. Micro/Macro, Piper quote discussion
Psalm 150:6 God created everything to give Him praise. He also sustains everything. Four facts, Deism discussion
Treasure Point
Teaching Activities
Light/dark pictures, Song time, Leaf rub, Hand trees, God Is Good place mats
Supplies Needed
Construction paper, Paper plates, wiggly eyes, scissors, tape crayons, markers, or glue, markers, scissors, tape, globe (or atlas or stickers, CD player, large world map), CD, leaves, chalk, construction paper, green and brown fingerpaint (or wash26 pieces of paper able paint), with a letter of the alphabet written on cardstock and cardstock half sheets, each page, CD player, wipes (for cleanup), CD, crayons, pens or pencils, chalk, newspapers (for 3 x 5 cards, items covering the from home (optional) tables to help with cleanup)
Microscope or magnifying glass; objects such as a leaf, flower, dry bean, pencil, a dead roach or other insect, or a hairbrush; pens or pencils; paper; pictures of Gods creation
oVeRVIeW
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Sovereignty
means
exercising
God meaning that there is absolutly nothing that of this sovereignty. Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan, pg. 91
The days of Creation: genesis 1:1-2:3 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. and gOd saId, Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters. And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK TWo | God on dISplay
liest cockroach to the most beautiful human, from the greatest saint to the most wicked genocidal dictatoreverything that exists, exists to make the greatness of Christ more fully known. John Piper, Spectacular Sins, pg. 33
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
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. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth. And it was so. 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. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. 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 lightsthe greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the nightand 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. 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
FoR youR edIFICaTIon
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. and gOd saId, Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. ThEn gOd saId, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. and gOd saId, Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning,
FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK TWo | God on dISplay
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation.
God created light. God created the sky. God created the land and the oceans.
God created the sun, Genesis 1:14-19 moon and stars. God created birds, Genesis 1:20-25 fish and land animals. God created man Genesis 1:26-31 and woman. God rested. Genesis 2:1-3
have to say that some matter has always existed and that it is eternal like God. This idea
that only God, not physical matter, has existed forever and that God created matter out of
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
gOd CREaTEd ThROugh hIs WORd. God didnt need anything else to help Him create. There was nothing else, so He literally spoke everything into existence. This very act displays Gods control, His ultimate power and His reign over all His creation.
gOd susTaIns hIs CREaTIOn. This word, sustain, is called Providence. Providence means that He is in control or over the created orderall that we see and dont see everything that is. That is Gods right as God. He created all things, and He keeps all things in their specific order.
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
In the beginning only one God creates the Gods right to create; no other deity helps God
heavens and earth. No other deity challenges create; no other deity opposes Gods creative activity. Paul House, Old Testament Theology, pg. 59
God in the world goes back to creation. All creaover creation through His word points to the real Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan, pg. 9
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Job 9:1-10: Then Job answered and said: Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with Him, one could not answer Him once in a thousand times. He is wise in heart and mighty in strengthwho has hardened himself against Him, and succeeded? He who removes mountains, and they know it not, when He overturns them in His anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number.
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Job 38:1-12: Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurementssurely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said,Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed? Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place? Psalm 33:6-9: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; He puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him! For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
Psalm 150: Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with strings and pipe! Praise Him with sounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! John 1:1-3: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. Colossians 1:16-17: For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. hebrews 11:3: By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
God made everything. God made all things to worship Him. We, as humans, decided to not do things Gods way, but to worship other things instead of worshiping the one true God. God chose to remedy this sin. He sent Jesus, His only Son, to live a perfect life. He then died on a cross for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. Jesus life and death and resurrection allow us to worship God rightly again, forever.
My Mission As Teacher:
What do you take for granted and not thank the Creator of the universe for? He has made all things and all things were made to give Him glory. Be actively aware this week of what you need to be always thankful for in your life. How is your relationship with God? Can you set aside time this week to spend time with Him? Worship the Lord through song, prayer, journaling, praising Him, reading the Bible, or exploring His creation with active thoughts of praise and adoration.
Prayer Points:
Pray that you would receive a fresh glimpse of the sovereign God who is in control of all things. Pray that your students would know that God speaks to themnot only through creation but also through everything they see.
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Early Childhood
Treasure story: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Treasure Verse: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6) Treasure Point: God created everything.
engage
Early arrival activity: (10-15 minutes or until all the children arrive) At the beginning of the classroom time, try starting with the lights off if the classroom does not become too dark. Instruct the children to make light and dark pictures. On one side of a piece of construction paper, have the children draw a sun, tree, flowers, etc. On the other side, instruct the children to color it darkly and include the moon, stars, etc. Younger children can use crayons or markers. Older children can use scissors, tape, different colors of construction paper, stickers, etc. Supplies Needed: Construction paper, crayons, markers, scissors, tape, stickers
discover
Bible story Time: (15 minutes)
Teacher Note: Ask the children to listen as you read the Bible story and explain the importance of Gods Word, the Bible, being the very words God speaks to us. The Bible is truth and is used to help us know God better. Read Genesis 1:1-2:3. Explain the story as you read. One thing you can do to keep younger children engaged is give them a piece of construction paper and have them draw as they listen. Ask them to draw things that represent what you are saying God created.
eaRly ChIldhood
12
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
The days of creation are very important because the Bible tells us all that God created. Here is an outline to work through as you teach the children: daY OnE god created light. Genesis 1:3-5 Ask the children what it is like to be in the dark (fearful, lonely, etc.). daY TWO god created the sky. Genesis 1:6-8 Ask the children what is in the sky (storms, rain, lightning, birds, wind, etc.). daY ThREE god created the land and the oceans. Genesis 1:9-13 Ask them to name some things that grow on the earth (plants, flowers, trees, etc.). daY FOuR god created the sun, moon and stars. Genesis 1:14-19 Ask them what gives us light. daY FIVE god created the birds, fish and land animals. Genesis 1:20-25 Ask them to make noises like the birds, fish and animals God created. Make your classroom into a zoo or aquarium with all the sounds. daY sIX god created man and woman. Genesis 1:26-31 God created you and me. Ask all the boys to stand up and say, God created me! Then ask all the girls to stand up and say, God created me! daY sEVEn god rested. Genesis 2:1-3 God rested. He was done.
eaRly ChIldhood
13
Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Treasure Verse learning activity: (5 minutes) Repetition is key (and creativity) as you encourage the children to memorize Psalm 150:6. You say, Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord! Then have each child fill in the blank: Let every _________ that has breath praise the Lord! Examples may include the following: Let every bird that has breath praise the Lord! or Let every dog that has breath praise the Lord! End this activity by asking all the children to stand up and shout, Let ALL OF US praise the Lord! song Time: (10 minutes) Love, Love, Love is this quarters theme song. This song can be found on the Treasuring Christ website: www.treasuringchristonline.org. Supplies Needed: CD player, CD
Reinforcement activity: (10 minutes) Let each child have a leaf, trace it, or rub chalk over the piece of paper and object to make a rubbing. The children can do this several times to make a collage of leaves. This may require teacher assistance for the younger children. Supplies Needed: Leaves, markers, chalk, construction paper
activity: (10 minutes) Children will enjoy making hand trees to remind them that God created the treesand them. Cover the table with newspapers. Then have the children take the edge of their hand and dip it in brown paint and then press their hand down on a piece of cardstock paper. This will be the trunk of the tree. Wipe their hands off. Then have them dip their hands palms down, fingers spread in green paint, and press down on the paper as the leaves or branches of the tree. Wipe their hands off. Allow time for this craft to dry. Teacher Note: This activity will work for younger children but will require more adult supervision. Be patient; it will be messy! Supplies Needed: Green and brown fingerpaint (or washable paint), cardstock half sheets, washable markers (to use later for decorating), wipes (for cleanup), newspapers (for covering the tables to help with cleanup)
eaRly ChIldhood FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK TWo | God on dISplay
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Playground Time: (15 minutes) Center play or free play is an effective use of time if there is no playground available or if the weather is not conductive to playing outside. Another option is to create a God Is Good place mat. Give each of the children a piece of cardstock or construction paper. Have them decorate it with things that show Gods goodness. Examples: God is good in giving us food. God is good in giving us a house to live in. God is good in giving us friends. God is good in sending Jesus to die on the cross. Supplies Needed: Stickers, markers, cardstock or construction paper
treasure
Treasure Point: God created everything.
eaRly ChIldhood
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Elementary
Treasure story: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Treasure Verse: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6) Treasure Point: God created everything to give Him praise.
engage
Early arrival activity: (10-15 minutes or until all the children arrive) Create a paper plate fish. This is an excellent activity to do as children arrive because they can finish the project later in the class while you reinforce the creation story. Children will discover that a paper plate makes a great fish. Simply cut a wedge or quarter out of the plate (this empty place on the plate becomes the fishs mouth) and then tape or staple it on the plate for the fishs tail. Next, draw or glue on the wiggly eyes and let the children decorate their fish. Supplies Needed: A paper plate for each child, wiggly eyes, scissors, tape or glue, markers
Introduction: (10 minutes) Global Vision: Have the children sit in a close circle with a globe (best option), an atlas in the middle of the floor, or near a world map on the wall. Instruct the children (one at a time) to point to an area and ask them to guess what it is and how God created it. For example, if a child points to the Atlantic Ocean, he or she could say, God created the ocean. If a child points to Africa, the response might be, God made the lions, tigers or zebras. Help the children be creative and give the younger ones ideas. Give each child at least one chance to find something God created. While the children are calling out things that God created, have someone (another teacher or helper) write down what they say. This would be a great addition to add to the wall in the classroom to help children remember all that God has created. Supplies Needed: Globe, atlas, or large world map; construction paper; pen or marker Teacher Note: If you do not have a map in your room, there may be one in your church. Take your children on a field trip to this part of the church.
elemenTaRy FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK TWo | God on dISplay
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
discover
Bible story Time: (15 minutes) Teacher Note: Have the children sit in the designated reading/Bible story area. Tell them this is Gods Word, the Bible, the way He speaks to us. It is true, and we need to listen to God. Be sure the children see you reading Genesis 1:2-2:3 out of the Bible and not out of the curriculum guide. Have the older children follow along in their own Bibles. The days of creation are very important because the Bible tells us all that God created. Here is an outline to work through as you teach the children: daY OnE god created light. Genesis 1:3-5 Ask the children what it is like to be in the dark (scary, fearful, lonely, etc.). daY TWO god created the sky. Genesis 1:6-8 Ask the children what is in the sky (storms, rain, lightning, birds, wind, etc.). daY ThREE god created the land and the oceans. Genesis 1:9-13 Ask them to name some things that grow on the earth (plants, flowers, trees, etc.). daY FOuR god created the sun, moon and stars. Genesis 1:14-19 Ask them what good things we get because of the sun such as warmth, growth for plants, and light. If the sun was just a bit closer or further away, we would either burn up or freeze. God has it exactly where the sun should be for our good. Ask if they can count the stars. Then explain how God knows each of the starsthe ones we can see and ones we cant seeby name. He is much bigger than us. daY FIVE god created the birds, fish and land animals. Genesis 1:20-25 Ask them to name as many types of fish, birds or animals as they can. God created so many more than the ones we can name. With just birds, there are more than 10,000 kinds of birds with different designs. It is amazing how God created them all. daY sIX god created man and woman. Genesis 1:26-31 God created you and me in His image. He made everything for our good and for our enjoyment. daY sEVEn god rested. Genesis 2:1-3 God rested from all He had madenot because He was tired but because He was done.
elemenTaRy
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Treasure Verse learning activity: (5 minutes) Psalm 150:6 says, Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! This means everything. Have the children talk about how they praise God (by singing, giving, obeying, talking, etc.). Share with them how other things that God created praise Him too. For example, when a lion roars (ask the children to roar like a lion), his roar is a praise to God. Then say, Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Keep going, getting ideas from the children, or use other examples like cows, ducks, birds, dogs, cats or horses. Reinforcement activity: (10 minutes) Teacher Note: Place the alphabet letters around the room before class begins. Play the Alphabet Creation Game. Write out the letters of the alphabet on different pieces of paper and then place them around your room or area. Give each child a pencil or crayon and direct them to stop at each letter and write down something God created that starts with that letter. For example, A could be for apples, B for bananas or boys, C for clouds, D for donkeys, etc. As they complete this activity, remind them that God made everything. All of it was good and all of what He created was created to glorify Him. Ask the students to review their lists. How do these things glorify God? Here are some examples: Apples and bananas are good for our bodies, and clouds give us rain to help things grow. Supplies Needed: A total of 26 pieces of paper with a letter of the alphabet written on each page, pencil or crayon for each child Playground Time/Center activities/Free Play: (15 minutes) song Time: (10 minutes) Love, Love, Love is this quarters theme song. This song can be found on the Treasuring Christ website: www.treasuringchristonline.org. Supplies Needed: CD player, CD or instruments for live music
Closing activity: (10 minutes) Take a field trip around the church grounds. Let each child find a leaf or some other small piece of creation. Then return to the classroom with the items. Ask the children to trace their piece of creation or place the paper over the object and rub it with chalk to make a rubbing. If they chose a rock, let them draw a face on it. Be creative! Supplies Needed: Markers, chalk, construction paper, leaves or rocks or other items found in nature (if the children are unable to go outside)
elemenTaRy FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK TWo | God on dISplay
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
treasure
Treasure Point: God created everything to give Him praise.
My Mission: (5 minutes)
Often times we grumble and complain about things that arent going the way we want. We may not get the toy we want, be in the same classroom as our friends or get to go swimming as often as we like. But God does not want us to complain and grumble with sad hearts. Instead, we are to give Him praise with cheerful hearts.
elemenTaRy
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
Pre-Teen/middle school
Treasure story: Genesis 1:2-2:3 Treasure Verse: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! (Psalm 150.6) Treasure Point: God created everything to give Him praise.
engage
group Fellowship: (10 minutes) Opening activity: (15 minutes)
Micro/Macro: Bring in different items or bugs that you can find around your house or yard. Have students look at them with a microscope or magnifying glass. See if they can list specific details they learn about the different objects. Have them take turns sharing their findings with the other students.
Supplies Needed: Bring in a microscope or magnifying glass and objects such as a leaf, flower, dry bean, pencil, a dead roach or other insect (maybe in a container or bag), and a hairbrush with hairs on it (to look more closely at the strands of hair). Be creative! A blade of grass magnified is incredible. Also have pieces of paper and pens or pencils available for the students to write their findings.
much amazed at the greatness and the goodness of God as those are who use the telescope. He is as great in the little as He is in Bible, pg. 17 the great. Charles Spurgeon, Devotional Thoughts on the
pRe-Teen/mIddle SChool
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
discover
Bible story Time: (30 minutes) Teacher Note: Many of your students may already know the story of creation but may not understand the importance of it to them today. Walk through the order of creation, sharing spectacular facts about Gods creation, and then build the bridge for them to see that God not only creates but sustains this world. Understanding these truths will allow your students to have a more complete understanding of God as Creator. Pictures would be very useful in teaching this lesson to your students. If you have time, prepare a slide show of pictures of Gods creation on your computer, print out some pictures or find some illustrations in magazines. National Geographic or The Discovery Channels website would be useful tools. The days of creation are very important because the Bible tells us all that God created. Here is an outline to work through as you teach the students: god created light. genesis 1:3-5: 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. god created the sky. genesis 1:6-8: And God said, Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters. And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. Lightning is not confined to thunderstorms. It has been seen in volcanic eruptions, extremely intense forest fires, surface nuclear detonations, heavy snowstorms and in large hurricanes. It is estimated that our planet as a whole is struck by an average of more than a hundred lightning bolts every second.
pRe-Teen/mIddle SChool
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
god created the land and the oceans. genesis 1:9-13: 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. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind,on the earth. And it was so. 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. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. The deepest point of the ocean is 36,198 feet (11,033 meters) in the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific. Mt. Everest could fit completely in the Mariana Trench and still leave more than a mile to the surface. god created the sun, moon and stars. genesis 1:14-19: 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 lightsthe greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the nightand the stars. And God set them in theexpanse 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. If the sun was just a bit closer or further away, we would either burn up or freeze. God has placed the sun exactly where it should be for our good. About 7,000 stars can be seen from the earth without a telescope, but only 2,000 stars can be seen at one place at any one time. god created birds, fish and land animals. genesis 1:20-25: 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. And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kindslivestock and creeping things
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Creation ordered
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and beasts of the earth according to their kinds. And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Ask the students to name as many types of fish, birds or animals as they can. Remind the students that God created so many more than they can name. With just birds, there are more than 10,000 kinds of birds with different designs. It is amazing how God created them all. A birds heart beats 400 times per minute while resting and up to 1,000 beats per minute while flying. Hummingbirds eat about every ten minutes, slurping down twice their body weight in nectar every day. With somewhere between 750,000 and 30 million species of insects alive today, insects account for more species of animals than any other class of animals. god created man and woman. genesis 1:26-31: Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. The focusing muscles of your eyes move around 100,000 times a day. To give your leg muscles the same workout, you would need to walk 50 miles every day. God created you and me in His image. He made everything for our good and for our enjoyment. god rested. genesis 2:1-3: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation. God rested from all He had madenot because He was tired but because He was done.
pRe-Teen/mIddle SChool FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK TWo | God on dISplay
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
god not only created all the world, but he also sustains it. Read these verses and see how the Bible tells us god takes care of our world and us: matthew 6:25-34: Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
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(God tells His people not to worry or be anxious about the future because He takes care of everything in our lives.) Job 38:1-12: Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurementssurely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed? Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place? (God speaks to Job about how He commanded everything to be and how He keeps everything in order.)
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
treasure
Treasure Point: God created everything to give Him praise.
Christ more fully known including you, and the person you have the hardest time
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Creation ordered
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high school
Treasure story: Genesis 1:1-2:3 Treasure Verse: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6) Treasure Point: God created everything to give Him praise. He also sustains everything.
frightening prospect looms. Now even the church seems to be losing the will to de-
fend what Scripture teaches about human origins. Many in the church are too intimi-
dated or too embarrassed to affirm the literal truth of the biblical account of creation. They are confused by a chorus of authoritative-sounding voices that insist that it is possibleand even pragmatically necessaryto recocile Scripture with the latest theories of naturalists. John MacArthur, The Battle for the Beginning, pg. 17
engage
group Fellowship Time: (10 minutes) Introduction activity: (5 minutes) Teacher Note: Read the heart facts on the following page to the students for an interesting way to introduce facts about the way God made our bodies.
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Creation ordered
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discover
Bible story Time: (30 minutes) Teacher Note: Read Genesis 1:1-2:3 out of the Bible or let the students take turns reading the verses in the passage.
body. Every doctor who studies the body, every mother who births a child, every grandfather who holds
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Creation ordered
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Many of your students may already know the story of creation. Use this time to quiz the students to see if they can name the days of creation. The days of creation are very important because the Bible tells us all that God created.
God created light. God created the sky. God created the land and the oceans.
attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
God created the sun, Genesis 1:14-19 moon and stars. God created birds, Genesis 1:20-25 fish and land animals. God created man Genesis 1:26-31 and woman. God rested. Genesis 2:1-3
god not only created the world, but he also sustains it. divide the students into four groups, giving each group a different Bible passage from the ones listed next. Instruct them to talk about ways that their passage illustrates the greatness of god. matthew 6:25-34: Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you,
hIGh SChool
O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (God tells His people not to worry or be anxious about the future because He takes care of everything in our lives.) Job 38:1-12: Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed? Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place? (God speaks to Job about how He commanded everything to be and how He keeps everything in order.) matthew 10:29-31: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value discussion: (10 minutes)
than many sparrows. (God gives us assurance by His Word that we matter to Him and He knows us intimately, even to knowing the number of hairs on our head.) Job 9:1-10: Then Job answered and said: Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be in the right before God? If one wished to contend with Him, one could not answer Him once in a thousand times. He is wise in heart and mighty in strengthwho has hardened himself against Him, and succeeded?He who removes mountains, and they know it not, when He overturns them in His anger, who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble; who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; who alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea; who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number. (Job realized that God made everything is in control over everything.)
Discuss Deism with the students by using the Deism resource page (see resources). Figure A shows a biblical model of the relation of God to creation. This model shows how God is clearly above and distinct from His creation, but He is always involved in His creation. Creation is dependent on God for life, sustainment and order. Figure B shows a Deists point of view. Deists believe in God, but they believe He has a hands-off approach to His creation. In other words, creation is on its own to survive and exist. Help your students to understand the implications these world views have on their lives and the great difference between the two. How would their lives be affected by a Deist worldview? Would they worry more or have more fears? What about the weight of responsibility for their actions? As a Deist, would they feel more freedom? As Christian teens, how does the knowledge that God is for them affect their lives?
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Creation ordered
Genesis 1:1-2:3
treasure
Treasure Point: God created everything to give Him praise. He also sustains everything.
in the creation . . . Deism generally holds that God created the universe and is far greater than the universe . . . They [Deists] deny Gods present involvement in the world, thus leaving no place for His immanence in the created order. Rather, God is viewed as a divine clock maker who wound up the clock of creation at the beginning but then left it to run on its own . . . Many lukewarm or nominal Christians today are, in effect, practical deists, since they live lives almost totally devoid of genuine prayer, worship, fear of God, or moment-by-moment trust in God to care for needs that arise. Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine, pgs. 129-130
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Creation ordered
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connect
This coming Sunday your child(ren) will be studying how God made everything to worship Him. Treasure Verse: Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! (Psalm 150:6)
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Figure A
Figure B
GOD
GOD
creation
creation