Lesson 1: The Creation Story - How God Made Our Wonderful World

1. Opening Prayer

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together on Your holy Sabbath day. Thank You for the bright sun, the blue sky, the green trees, the animals, and our families. Please open our ears and our hearts today as we learn how You made our wonderful world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”

2. Opening Praise Song

3. Introduction: Look Around You!

Have you ever looked up at the bright blue sky during the day, or counted the twinkling stars at night? Have you ever listened to colourful birds singing in the morning, or watched fish swimming in the water?

Where did all of these marvellous things come from? The very first book of the Bible is called Genesis, which means “Beginnings”. In Genesis chapters 1 and 2, the World English Bible (WEB) tells us the true story of how God made the whole universe out of nothing—simply by speaking His powerful Word!

4. The Bible Story: The Seven Days of Creation

Before Creation: In the Beginning (Genesis 1:1–2, WEB)

Long, long ago, before there were any trees, oceans, animals, or people, there was only God. The earth was formless and empty, darkness was on the surface of the deep water, and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters (Genesis 1:2, WEB), ready to create a beautiful world.

Day 1: Light and Darkness — Day and Night (Genesis 1:3–5, WEB)

Into the complete darkness, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:3, WEB). Immediately, warm, golden light shone brightly across the darkness. God saw that the light was good, and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light “day”, and the darkness He called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Day 2: The Sky and the Waters (Genesis 1:6–8, WEB)

On the second day, God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” God made the wide expanse to separate the waters above (in the clouds) from the waters below (on the earth), and God called the expanse “sky” (Genesis 1:8, WEB). There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

Day 3: Dry Land, Seas, Green Plants, and Fruit Trees (Genesis 1:9–13, WEB)

On the third day, God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so. God called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters He called “seas” (Genesis 1:9–10, WEB).

Then God spoke again and said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth.” Right away, the land was covered with soft green grass, colourful wildflowers, vegetables, and tall fruit trees—like mangoes, oranges, figs, and bananas! God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

Day 4: The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars (Genesis 1:14–19, WEB)

On the fourth day, God placed shining lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night, and to be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years:

• He made the greater light (the Sun) to rule the day and give warmth to the earth.
• He made the lesser light (the Moon) to rule the night, and He also made the twinkling Stars.

God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

Day 5: Birds in the Sky and Creatures in the Sea (Genesis 1:20–23, WEB)

On the fifth day, God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” (Genesis 1:20, WEB).

• In the oceans, rivers, and lakes, God created the large sea creatures (whales), playful dolphins, sea turtles, and colourful fish of every kind.
• In the sky, God created every winged bird after its kind—eagles, doves, sparrows, flamingos, and singing birds with bright feathers.

God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

Day 6: Land Animals and the First People — Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:24–31, WEB)

On the sixth day, God spoke to the earth to bring forth living creatures after their kind:

• Livestock (domestic animals): Cows, sheep, goats, and camels.
• Animals of the earth (wild animals): Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and deer.
• Creeping things: Rabbits, squirrels, butterflies, bees, and tiny insects.

Then came the most special moment of all! God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness...” God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:26–27, WEB).

God blessed the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, and gave them the special task of caring for the earth, the plants, and all the living creatures. Then God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good (Genesis 1:31, WEB). That was the sixth day.

Day 7: God Rested and Made the Seventh Day Holy (Genesis 2:1–3, WEB)

By the seventh day (which we celebrate on Saturday), the heavens and the earth were finished. God was not tired, because God never grows weary! Instead, God rested on the seventh day from all His work to enjoy His creation and give us a holy day of rest and worship.

The World English Bible says in Genesis 2:3: “God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work of creation which he had done.” That is why in Ruwe Holy Ghost Church, we gather every Saturday to worship God, rest from our daily work, and thank Him!

5. Quick Revision Table: The 7 Days of Creation (WEB)

6. Class Discussion Questions

1. How did God create light, the sky, and the animals? Did He use bricks or tools, or did He speak His powerful Word?
2. What is your favourite animal or fruit that God created? On which day of creation did God make it?
3. How are people different from the animals? (Hint: Who was made in the image of God?)
4. How can we look after God’s creation at home and at school? (For example: planting trees, keeping our compound clean, and being kind to animals.)
5. Why is Saturday (the Seventh-Day Sabbath) such a special day for us?

7. Fun Children’s Activity

8. Closing Prayer

“Almighty God our Creator, we praise You because You made the heavens, the earth, the seas, and everything in them. Thank You for making us in Your own image and for giving us the holy Seventh-Day Sabbath to rest and worship You. Help us to honour You and take good care of the beautiful world You have given us. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”