God created people
key words
biblical reference
Genesis 1:26-31; 2-7, 19-24; Psalm 139:13-16
memory verse
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, NIV*).
lesson objective
To teach children to value themselves so they’ll have good self-esteem; and to express gratitude to God for having created us in his image and likeness.
prepare yourself to teach
Both the creation of light and animals demonstrates the power and wisdom of God. What God created in the initial stage was a basis for what was to come later...humans.
Humankind was the climax of creation; only us did he make in the image and likeness of God. Although we are related to other creatures he formed, only we have God as our Father. We are like a reflection of him in the world. God is the original model, with which human beings should be compared, if you want to know the true nature of humans.
Only people have the ability and are equipped for the special task that God has entrusted them: to govern nature. This is because we were created in the image of God as rational and moral beings. God gave us the right of personal determination with a conscience to discern right and wrong. We are also unique in that we have a direct connection with the spiritual world. Not only do we know that God exists, but we can also communicate with him. And God has given us the Bible and the Holy Spirit to communicate with us.
Because we were created in the image of the Lord, we have the ability to worship, love, obey, trust, and be faithful to our Creator.
Of all the creatures God made, only humans can develop and maintain a personal relationship with him. Therefore, we have the privilege and responsibility to work with the Lord.
Psalm 139 describes how God wants to be close to us. He wants to have a personal relationship with humans at very deep levels. He wants us to have intimacy with him, but he already knows us intimately because he made us. He formed us from the womb of our mother; he knows us as we were woven or formed; he provides our days; and he even knows our thoughts.
adaptation
How was the universe formed? It is not a difficult way of thinking for most children; the knowledge that God made the world and everything in it is sufficient and satisfying. The important thing to stress is that God is the Creator. This is fundamental to correctly understand him and his creation.
It is important to understand that although man is scientifically classified within the category of animal, human beings are very distinct and different from other animals created because we were the highest creation by God.
Each person is important and has a special value to God. This is the biblical basis for proper self-esteem and for understanding what our skills are and what our attitude should be toward possessions. You as a teacher can help your children to experience this personal truth; this can be achieved if you love them, value them, and accept each one of them.
introduce the lesson
Ask the group: “Do you know how the universe was formed?” (listen to their responses) Then say: “It is not a difficult way of thinking for most children; the knowledge that God made the world and everything in it is sufficient and satisfying.”
The important thing to stress is that God is the Creator. This is fundamental to correctly understand him and his creation.
However, it is very likely that your children already have knowledge of the naturalistic evolution of humankind. One of the general ideas of this theory is that humans have evolved, and have not been specially created. Another belief is that we descended from some animal, some suppose a monkey while others say some fish. If children have been exposed to this type of information, it is important to highlight the fact that we are God’s creation, and made in his image and likeness.
teach the lesson
Before the session study Genesis 1:26-31; 2-7, 19-24 and Psalm 139:13-16 so you will prepared to tell the story in your own words.
You can start the lesson with an action song like “Jesus Loves Me” or another song that talks about creation.
During the lesson, highlight the biblical truth about the creation of humans. Start by asking about previous lessons. Say, “How do you think we were formed?” “Where did people come from?” (Allow children to respond.) Use this as a base to know what points you need to emphasis. At the end of the lesson, review with your children, asking questions to make sure that they got the message.
If you are doing the division of days on the lessons, remember to bring pictures of people. Try to include all possible races, men, women, youth and children, of all ages. It is a good idea to bring pictures of people at different stages of life and show them to your children. Put them in the assigned place.
connect the lesson
God’s special creation
Distribute Student Activity Sheet #130-A and let the children decide which of the statements are true and which are false. (The first two are false and the last two true.) They can draw sad faces for false, and happy faces for true. Discuss any questions with your children. Then allow them to complete the verse at that bottom of the worksheet by drawing a line from the correct word to the blank space where it belongs.
My friend and I
Give your children time to fill in the information asked for in Student Activity Sheet #130-B. Help anyone who needs assistance to fill in the blanks.
practice the memory verse
For today, bring the memory verse written on different pieces of paper that have been cut into different shapes of clothing/laundry. (One word of the verse on each piece. The pieces can be things like a shirt, pants, socks, towels, sheets, etc. Use large pieces for big words and small pieces for small words. You could also use actual clothing and pin the words to the clothes.) In class, place a string across the room like a clothesline. Then, using clothespins, put each word of the verse on the clothesline. Have the children repeat the verse. Then, begin to remove some of the words and say it all again. Repeat until you have finished the entire verse.
When you have finished, save all the words and use them for the next class. If you want them to last longer, wrap the pieces with clear adhesive plastic. You can also color them, write the words by hand, or glue them. If using a computer, make sure they are big enough to be seen from far away.
wrap-up
Pray
Ask children for prayer requests and close with prayer. Do not forget to thank God for creating people in his image and likeness.
Encourage
Help your children remember what to take home. Thank everyone for attending today’s session.
Invite
Give the group a hint about the next session to build anticipation for the next lesson so they will not want to miss it. Tell them to invite their friends.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™