Passages: Genesis 1-12
Big Idea: The creator of the world is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Ages: 8-11
Ten lessons exploring Genesis chapters 1 to 12.
Genesis chapters 1 to 12 bridges the creator of the universe and the God of Israel. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Genesis means ‘beginning’. In the beginning there was God. Then God speaks and turns nothing into something. And everything God creates is good.
God then turns something into someone. From the dust of the earth the first human is made. God breathes into the man and Adam comes to life. And unlike anything else in all God’s creation, humans are made in his image. God makes them male and female. Equal but different. And together they are to fill and rule God’s world under him. They have both purpose and meaning. God looked at what he’d made and saw that it was very good.
But Adam and Eve resist both God’s will and word. They deny both God’s goodness and God’s commitment to keep his word. God’s commitment to re-establish his rule in this world is carried along by promises, beginning with the promise of the Satan crusher (Genesis 3:15) and continuing through to the promise that Abraham’s seed will bless the world (Genesis 12:1-3, 7).
The journey from chapters 3 to 12 is the journey of sin, judgement and grace. It’s the story of ever increasing sin. From the individual to the family to the entire world standing opposed to God.
It’s the story of ever increasing judgement. From Cain, to Noah, to Babel. And it’s the story of ever increasing grace. In keeping with Paul's word, “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” (Romans 5:20)
Genesis 1 to 12 reminds us that our creator God is committed to establishing his rightful rule in this world and receiving the glory, honour and praise he rightly deserves from his creation. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)
The unit comes complete with stories, pictures, suggested songs/memory verses, games and drama activities, crafts, large and small group activities. A resource pack of crafts and worksheets is also included.