In the busyness of our daily lives, especially this time of year, we have a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the story of Creation, our first lesson of the curriculum year. What a blessing to know that God created everything and that He created us to have a relationship with Him. This includes you and your children. As you do these activities this week with your kids, thank the Lord for the wonders of His creation right in your own home.
HIGHLIGHTS from the Weekend…
This week your child learned that God created everything and that He created us to have a relationship with Him. The creation account in Genesis 1—2:3 tells us:
On Day 1, God created light and darkness. He called it day and night.
On Day 2, God created space between the waters and called it sky.
On Day 3, God created dry land and plants, each to have their own seed.
On Day 4, God created the lights in the sky, the sun, moon, and stars.
On Day 5, God filled the sky with birds and the oceans with sea creatures.
On Day 6, God created living creatures of every kind and told them to multiply. He also created man in His own image.
On Day 7, God saw all He had done and was pleased. He called the 7th day holy and rested.
Teaching Truths:
1. God created the world and it was good
2. God created you for a relationship with Him
Memory Verse:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
3 Activities that Help Us Learn That God created the world and wants a relationship with us:
1. Creation Placemats
You will need one piece of poster board, construction paper, crayons and contact paper. Cut the poster board in fourths. Help your child decorate one place mat for each day of creation. Day 1: have your child start with a white place mat and cover half of it with black construction paper. Once he is finished, label the mat Day 1.
Day 2: flip over the mat from Day 1 and let him cover the bottom one third with dark blue paper (the waters) and cover the top two thirds (the sky) with light blue paper. Help your child cut and glue clouds in the sky. Again, label the mat.
Day 3: cover an entire new mat with green paper, then draw flowers and trees on the mat, or gather leaves from outside and glue them to the mat. Be sure to label the mat Day 3. Flip over Day 3 to create the fourth day.
Day 4: have your child replicate their Day 1 mat, but draw a yellow sun for the day and a white moon for the dark. Lastly, label this side of the mat Day 4.
Day 5: start a new mat and replicate their Day 2 mat but add bird stickers to the sky, fish stickers to the waters and label Day 5.
Day 6: flip over the Day 5 mat. Help your child cut out magazine pictures of animals as well as a man and a woman and glue them to this side of the mat which is labeled Day 6.
Day 7: help your child draw a picture of a smiley face since God was pleased. Flip over this mat and write the memory verse from Genesis 1:1.
Lastly, cover each side of each mat with contact paper, trim the edges and use as placemats.
- What is your favorite thing God made?
- Can you guess what part of creation was most special to God?
- Can you think of something you’ve made that is special to you?
- How did you make it?
- How did God make the world?
2. God is Smart... He Created!
Play this game and sing this song with your child during snack time. Sing this song to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”.
God loves us with all His heart
He created every part of my body and it is true
God loves me and God loves you
God loves us with all His heart
He created every part
Talk with your child – God is smart. He created our thumbs. Have you ever tried to pick up a cup without a thumb? Let’s try. Continue singing this song and asking the question using different parts of the body such as drinking without an elbow or eating without arms.
3. Hit the Road
This would be a great opportunity to visit the zoo, the aquarium, or a nature center to appreciate God’s creation up close. For a less expensive alternative, visit the library and help your child pick out a few books on wild animals, sea creatures, plants, or another part of creation that excites him.
Pray
Lord, I know that when I choose to disobey my parents, I’m choosing to disobey You. Please help me to always obey quickly and completely.