Lesson 1
Teacher’s Notes:
The story of creation can be found in Genesis 1 and again in Genesis 2. Yes, two different stories. The first story is very orderly, with a different part of creation created each day. Although it seems to follow a logical process, the first story reflects the recorder’s understanding of how the world is put together, not so much modern science. For example, the waters are separated into those above the dome and those below. This was reflects common belief in that time, that the heavens were like a dome above the Earth, with holes in the dome allowing rain to fall through. Another example of belief of the time shows up in the telling of light and darkness being created, followed by the creation of the Sun and Moon.
The second story of creation starts around Genesis 2:4. This version is more of a story, with a narrative flow that carries over into the “Temptation” story. In this version, God seems more human, with hands to press the earth into the shape of a person, and lungs to breathe life into that person. In this version, God walks and talks in the garden with his creations. The order of parts of creation is different from the order within the Genesis 1 story.
Much like the value of having four Gospels that are each different and unique, the two creation stories show different aspects of God. Genesis 1 shows a cosmic creator who speaks and commands things into existence. Genesis 2 shows a personal and intimate creator who has relationship with what has been made. There are times when we want God to be bigger than everything else is and in control of the universe. Other times, we want God to be right by our side. Together these stories show the power and intimacy of our creator.
Scriptures:
Genesis 1: 1- 2: 3
Genesis 2: 4 – 25
Supplies:
- Play-doh (small or mini cans) or modeling clay
- Legos or other types of building blocks
- White board / markers (or butcher paper / markers)
Preparation:
- Have enough Play-doh for every class member
- Prepare the whiteboard or butcher paper at front of room
Activity (Time) / Instructions
Creator For A Day (10 min.)
Invite everyone to make something with their Play-doh. It can be something real or from their own imagination. Give class members time to make their creations, then go around and have individuals share what they have made and why they chose to make it. If this is early in the school year, you may want to have each person share his or her name as well.
Ask:
- What does your creation mean to you?
- How does it feel to feel the dough/clay in your fingers?
- How did you choose what to create?
- Were there other things you chose not to make?
- If your creation could change one thing about itself, what do you think that would be?
- If you creation could ask you a question, what do you think it would ask you?
- *Have the group place their creations somewhere safe! They will need them again later.
Story Time (10 min.)
Divide into two groups. Give each group one of the scriptures for the day. Instruct them to read the scripture together, write down the order in which things were created, and any questions they may have about the story. When they are done, bring the groups back together to share their lists. Start with the order of creation and allow them to discuss the “real” order of Creation. Then, give a chance to share their written questions about the story, and to share their thoughts on the questions.
Do not feel pressured to find actual answers. We are talking about creation, and no human answers can make everyone happy. God created, and how God did it remains a mystery. It is not unfaithful to have questions with no answers. That is what we call “mystery”!
Creation (5 min.)
Divide into the teams again, giving each team some blocks or Legos to work with. Instruct them to build a “perfect church” with their blocks. Everyone should give input and help build. When they are done, invite them to share their creation with the whole group.
Ask:
- How did you come up with your “perfect church”?
- Did you agree or disagree as a group?
- How did you make decisions?
Group Think (5 min.)
Invite everyone to turn their attention to the front of the room (whiteboard or paper). Explain that they will be creating something together. This work of art will include all of their ideas and each person will contribute to the drawing. Invite one member of the class to draw a line. It can be straight, curved, squiggly, or whatever; it just needs to be a line. Don’t let them get too detailed. Invite each member of the class to take a turn going to the board and adding a line or shape. Some will have more artistic skill than others. This is not about talent, but the process. When you are “done” take some time to talk about your picture.
Ask:
- How do you feel about what we created?
- Was it easier to work alone or as a group?
- Was it easier to work in a small or a large group?
- Whose work gave more direction to this drawing those who went first or those at the end?
- Those who drew first, does it look like you intended?
- Those who drew later, do you feel like you got t0 really shape this creation?
What Does That Mean? (5 min.)
Read Genesis 1: 26 again.
Ask the group what “dominion” means. After thoughts are shared, pull them together, reminding (if they didn’t say this) that dominion also means being responsible for something. Kings and queens have responsibility for all that is in their dominion.
Ask:
- If God gives us dominion over creation, what is our responsibility?
- Have we done a good job with our responsibility?
- How could we do better…
- -as a church?
- -as a family?
- -as a community?
- -as myself, individually?
- Who are the people who help us to care for the earth? (e.g. government leaders, sanitation workers, park rangers).
Creation Exchange (5+ min)
Have each person get their Play-doh creation from earlier. As the group sits in a circle, have each person pass their creation four people to the left. Go around the room and have each person share one thing they would change about the creation they now hold in their hand. After everyone has shared, go back to the original creator how they feel about the proposed changes.
Ask:
- How is this activity like God’s creation and our responsibility of dominion?
- How does it feel to see your creation in somebody else’s hands?
- Do you worry about your creation?
- Do you think someone else is worried about the creation in your hands?
- How do you think God feels about us having God’s creation in our hands?
- As creation expanded, and there were more people on Earth, do you think it was easier or harder to take care of creation? (consider more help but also more mess).
- What does it say about us that God chooses to trust us with dominion?
- What does it say about God that God chooses to trust us with dominion?
Closing (5 min.)
Ask the class to combine their creations into one new creation. It should be something that connects the group or represents everyone. They need to decide as a class what they will make with their creations. After choosing what to make, they need to choose who will be form responsible for making the creations into one. Will one person do this, or all of those who now hold them? When the group is finished making their new creation, ask them how they feel about it.
Prayer (2 min.)
Create a prayer by standing in a circle and holding hands. Ask each person to add one word, much as they did with the drawing. Go around the circle three times, then close with, “and all God’s creation said…” with the group responding, “Amen” in unison.
