Bible Lesson Plan: The Story of Creation (4-Part Series)
This series is designed for 4 to 8-year-olds with a 30-minute class time, breaking down the seven days of Creation into four simple, engaging lessons.
Lesson 1: Let There Be Light! (Days 1 & 2)
- Memory Verse: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1 (Simplified for repetition)
- Lesson Objective: Children will learn that God created light and separated the sky and water.
The Story (5-7 minutes): Start by telling the children that a very long time ago, the world was dark and empty. God was there, and He decided to make something amazing. On the very first day, God said, “Let there be light!” and poof! There was light! God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the dark, calling the light “day” and the dark “night.” On the second day, God created a big, blue sky to separate the water.
Activity: “Light & Dark” Paper Plate (15-20 minutes):
- Materials: Two paper plates per child, black paint or a black crayon, yellow or white paint or a crayon, glue or a brad fastener.
- Instructions: Give each child two paper plates. Have them paint or color one plate completely black (for night) and the other half black and half yellow/white (for day). Once they’re done, have them put the all-black plate on top of the two-color plate and secure it with a brad fastener in the center. They can then spin the top plate to reveal the day and night.
Closing Prayer (3 minutes): “Thank you, God, for making the light and the dark. Thank you for making the day so we can play and the night so we can rest. Amen.”
Lesson 2: God Made the Land and Plants (Day 3)
- Memory Verse: “God called the dry ground ‘land.’” – Genesis 1:10
- Lesson Objective: Children will learn that God made the dry land, grass, plants, and trees.
The Story (5-7 minutes): Remind the children what God created on the first two days. Now, on the third day, God gathered all the water together into oceans and lakes so that dry land would appear. God called the dry ground “land.” Then, God made the land beautiful! He made all the grass, all the plants, and all the trees to grow, each one with its own special seeds and fruits.
Activity: Creation Terrarium (15-20 minutes):
- Materials: Small clear plastic cups, soil, small seeds (like grass or lima beans), spray bottle with water.
- Instructions: Give each child a cup. Let them put a small scoop of soil inside. Then, have them carefully place a few seeds on top of the soil and lightly cover them with more soil. They can spray a little water on it. Explain that just like God made seeds grow, they can watch their seeds grow into plants.
Closing Prayer (3 minutes): “Thank you, God, for making the land and for all the plants and trees that grow. Thank you for the yummy fruits and vegetables. Amen.”
Lesson 3: The Sun, Moon, and Stars (Days 4 & 5)
- Memory Verse: “God made the stars also.” – Genesis 1:16
- Lesson Objective: Children will learn that God made the sun, moon, stars, and all the creatures that live in the sky and water.
The Story (5-7 minutes): Review the previous lessons. On the fourth day, God looked up at the sky and decided it needed something special. He made a big, bright light for the daytime—the sun! He made a smaller, soft light for the night—the moon. And then He sprinkled tiny, little lights all over the sky—the stars! The next day, on the fifth day, God created all the creatures in the water, from the tiny fish to the big whales, and He made all the birds to fly in the sky.
Activity: “Sky & Sea” Window Cling (15-20 minutes):
- Materials: Clear plastic baggies, a paper plate, blue paint, small cutout shapes of fish and birds.
- Instructions: Give each child a plastic baggie and a paper plate with a small amount of blue paint on it. Have them spread the blue paint on the inside of the baggie to represent the sky and water. While the paint is still wet, they can place their cutout fish and birds inside the baggie to stick.
Closing Prayer (3 minutes): “Thank you, God, for the sun, moon, and stars. Thank you for the fish that swim and the birds that fly. Amen.”
Lesson 4: God Made Animals and People! (Day 6)
- Memory Verse: “So God created man in his own image.” – Genesis 1:27
- Lesson Objective: Children will learn that God made all the animals and, most importantly, made people in His own image.
The Story (5-7 minutes): Remind the children that God has made so many amazing things! On the sixth day, God created all the animals on the land. He made everything from big elephants and lions to tiny mice and butterflies. Then, on this day, God did the most special thing of all. He created people! God made a man and a woman in His own image, to love Him and to take care of all the beautiful things He had made.
Activity: “God Made Me” Mirror Craft (15-20 minutes):
- Materials: Paper plates, a small mirror, a pen or marker, cotton balls, yarn.
- Instructions: Give each child a paper plate. Have them glue a small mirror to the center of the plate. Around the mirror, they can glue on cotton balls for hair or small pieces of yarn. The mirror allows them to see themselves and remember that they are a special part of God’s creation, made in His image.
Closing Prayer (3 minutes): “Thank you, God, for making all the animals, and most of all, thank you for making us. Help us to love you and take care of the world you have made. Amen.”