Genesis 1 · ESV memory verse below
God Made the World
Who is this?
God alone. No one helped Him. He spoke, and the world was there.
What happened?
In six days God made heaven and earth, seas, plants, lights, living creatures, and people in His image. He saw that it was very good—and He rested on the seventh day.
The story
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth had no shape yet, and darkness covered the deep waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good.
God made the sky. He gathered the waters so dry land appeared. He called the dry land Earth and the waters Seas. He made plants and trees grow, each after its own kind.
God made the sun to rule the day and the moon to rule the night—and the stars. He filled the waters with living creatures and the sky with birds. He made the animals of the earth. Everything waited on His word.
Then God created people in His own image; male and female He created them. He blessed them. God saw everything that He had made, and it was very good. On the seventh day God finished His work and rested. We are not accidents—we are made by a good Creator who deserves our praise.
Memory verse (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
Talk about it
Ages ~4–7
- Who said, “Let there be light”?
- Was God’s world good or a mistake?
Ages ~8–12
- What does it mean that people are made in God’s image?
- How does Genesis 1 help us when someone says we are only accidents?
- What is one way our family can praise the Creator this week?
Family activity
Walk outside for two minutes. Each person names one thing God made and thanks Him for it.
Parent take-home
Read Genesis 1 together in short pieces—light, land, living things, then people. Talk about how God spoke and it was so, and that He called His work “very good.” At bedtime thank God for one thing He made that you saw today, and practice Genesis 1:1.
Talk on the way home
- Who made the world—people, or God?
- What did God say about everything He made?
- What one created gift can our family thank Him for tonight?
Longer family guide: Week 1 on the family page.
In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (count). Count out loud together, then write the number big.
For parents and teachers
Read Genesis 1 aloud. Pause after each day and let a child name what God made. Keep the wonder on God Himself: He spoke, and it was so. This is not a science lesson first; it is worship.