1.3
date:______
LESSON OVERVIEW
The Very First People
Genesis 1:26–31; 2:4–25
Explore::
15–20 min.
Discover::
10–15 min.
Respond::
5 minutes
Bless::
5 minutes
Connect::
15–30 minutes
Ponder Point:
God Made People
On the sixth day God made people. God did not use His words to make a man; He used his breath to give him life. God named this man Adam. The Lord saw that it was not good for man to be alone. So while Adam slept, God took one of Adam’s rib bones and made Eve. She was Adam’s helper. They lived in a beautiful garden where they would walk and talk with God. God made them to love Him and each other.
Inspire
My first week of college, I went online and began to check my email. There it was … an email from home. This mail was not just from one friend. Instead, it had been written by four of my closest friends. The subject line plainly stated: You’re a terrible friend. As I began to read, outlined in front of me were all the ways this group of friends felt I had fallen short over the past six years.
As I sat there letting it all soak in, I was hurt and broken inside. I had been trashed by four of the closest people in my life. As the evening went on, I wasn’t my talkative self, and it showed. My two new roommates began to ask if everything was all right. I told them that everything was fine, and I continued studying. Again they asked, and I responded with the usual, “I’m fine.” This time they took more initiative. Walking over to my desk, they sat down. What followed was the most amazing thing a total stranger has ever said to me. “Kit,” they said, “we love you, and we care about what’s going on in your life. Let us know what’s going on.” I remember thinking, “Who makes such statements to someone they hardly know?”
This conversation was the start of relationships that have drastically transformed my life. In that one moment, those two men served me by pushing through my defenses to ask me what needed to be done. They broke through the barrier I tried to create in order to hide my true self, and allowed me to feel known and loved. Almost a decade later, I still meet weekly with these men. Through them, I have learned about God’s unconditional love, the way He views us, and what it means to be a man. It’s through relationships like these that we’re often transformed to look more and more like Christ. We have been designed to enter into relationship with God and others. We have been designed to be a part of God’s story.
Kit Rae
TruBlessings Team
Equip
Throughout the Old Testament, there are many names used for God. Genesis chapter one is the account of creation from the beginning of the universe to mankind being formed in God’s image. God is described in chapter one as Elohim, “powerful,” or as some scholars assert it to be, the plural of the word translated to mean “majesty.” Elohim—powerful and majestic—created the universe and our earth from nothing … only through His infinite power.
Genesis chapter two is a retelling of the creation of man and woman, as well as their relationships with one another, the earth, and the Lord Himself. Here, God is referred to as Yahweh, “the great I AM,” who breathed into Adam’s nostrils and formed him from the dust, like a potter forms a pot from clay. The use of the name Elohim for God establishes a positional relationship with all of His creation; in proximity to mankind, God still maintains power and position. Added to this is the dimension of personality in relationship to humans by being referred to as Yahweh. From the very beginning of creation, God was weaving together a story that is all about relationship.
God created man and woman in His image—mankind would uniquely bear the likeness of God, the Creator. He established the authority we would have over the earth and all other created things upon the earth, in the skies, and in the waters. They (male and female) were to rule over all earthly created things. After God created man and woman, He blessed them. They were to have children and fill the earth. They were to maintain order—to keep creation under control.
“Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh”—mankind was created in the likeness of God and one from another. We were united from the onset, designed to care for one another as we would care for our own flesh. When asked what was the most important commandment, Jesus said, “The most important one … is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29–31). We were created to be in relationship with God and others.
Support
God has created us to be in relationship with Him and others. Oftentimes, we don’t realize the significance of the relationships we have with others until we take time to look back and reflect.
This week, pause in your regular schedule to reflect. You may want to find a quiet place and journal about a specific instance where being in relationship with God or another person had a significant impact on your life. What were the circumstances of your story? How did you feel? What were you in need of or unsure of? What were you celebrating or mourning?
After you write your story, consider sharing it with another person or persons. Maybe you regularly gather with friends or family to share life or a meal. In that time, storytell about God’s faithfulness to provide relationships for us and how He changes us through them. Begin by telling (or reading) your own story and then encourage others to join in. Share the ways you’ve experienced God together.
As you interact with the children in your ministry this weekend, remember that the story of God is the story of relationship. The relationships you’re creating with each of them are a vital part of the story God created you to live in.
Further Resources
Lesson Overview
Experience / Time / Summary / Supplies/PrepareExplore:: / 15–20 min. / Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship. / Option 1: Paper Dolls 2’s
paper doll pattern (see tru.davidccook.com)
card stock or tagboard
pen
scissors
colored and patterned paper
Option 2: I Can Draw Myself 3’s
My Face template (see tru.davidccook.com)
mirror, one with a stand is ideal
white paper, 1 piece per child
crayons
Transition Song
“The Cleanup Song” (see tru.davidccook.com)
Discover:: / 10–15 min. / Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God’s Word. / Welcome
Bible
“TruBlessings Theme Song” (see tru.davidccook.com)
Hamilton puppet
Hamilton’s house
The Big God Story
bowl
dirt
Respond:: / 5 min. / Create space for children to celebrate God together in worship through music. / Song of Celebration
Suggestion: “The Butterfly Song” from My Best Friend by Little Praise Party (Available on iTunes)
Bless:: / 5 min. / Bless the children that they may experience God fully. / Bible (for the blessing)
snack
worship song: “He Knows Me” (TruWonder EP; Available on iTunes or Amazon.com)
Lesson Overview
Experience / Time / Summary / Supplies/PrepareConnect:: / 15–30 min. / Games, songs, manipulatives, sensory and art activities are used to help children reinforce what they experienced in DISCOVER. / Option 1: Adam and Eve Puppets 2’s
Adam and Eve pattern (see tru.davidccook.com)
white card stock, 1 piece per child
scissors
crayons
craft sticks, 2 per child
tape
Option 2: I’m in Pieces 3’s
large piece of butcher paper
pen
scissors
markers
Option 3: Hokey Pokey 2’s and 3’s
none
Hamilton’s Box of Fun
coloring page (see tru.davidccook.com)
box or basket to hold objects
Waffle blocks: available at
small felt boards with felt pieces
instruments
linking sets: available at or
sensory balls: available at
“The Cleanup Song” (see tru.davidccook.com)
Explore:: 15–20 min.
Exploration stations create space for children to engage in hands-on activities as they begin their time of worship.
This time is designed for all the children to explore activities set up around a table. There should be enough activities set up to involve all the children.
You can decide how many different EXPLORE options you want to have each week depending on your number of children. Some of the options can have more than one
child engaging in the activity. The children can rotate around the activities during the EXPLORE time.
For additional EXPLORE ideas see the TruBlessings “Putting It Together” document at tru.davidccook.com.
Option 1: Paper Dolls 2’s
SUPPLIES
•paper doll pattern (see tru.davidccook.com)
•card stock or tagboard
•pen
•scissors
•colored and patterned paper
PREPARE
Copy the doll pattern onto the card stock. Print the clothes from the paper doll pattern onto the colored or patterned paper. You can make one copy and trace the pattern on other paper, and then cut it out. Cut out the doll and clothes.
SET UP
Place the doll and clothes on the table.
ENGAGE
Invite one child to join you at the table. In The Big God Story, we hear how God made people. He made a man and a woman. I have a paper doll here with different kinds of clothes. Can you dress the doll? As the child is picking out clothes, talk to her about the colors and patterns.
Option 2: I Can Draw Myself 3’s
SUPPLIES
- My Face template (see tru.davidccook.com)
- mirror, one with a stand is ideal
- white paper, 1 piece per child
- crayons
Set up
Print copies of the My Face template onto white paper, one for each child. Set the crayons and mirror on a table.
Engage
Invite one child at a time to the table. God made all the people in the world. He made you, and He made me. Look at yourself in the mirror. What color are your eyes? What color is your hair? Give the child a copy of the My Face template. Pick out some crayons and color this face to make it look like you.Assist the child in coloring his portrait.
Children move into a time where they can participate in discovering God’s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences.
Transition Song: “The Cleanup Song”
Story Spots
“Story Spot” refers to an item used to mark the place where each child sits. Consider using carpet squares, small circle-shaped rugs, or large sturdy place mats. When children hear the transition song, cue them to choose a Story Spot, place it in the gathering space, and sit down. At the close of your time together in The Big God Story, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location.
Discover:: 10–15 min.
Children participate in discovering God’s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences.
Welcome
SUPPLIES
•Bible
•“The TruBlessings Theme Song” (see tru.davidccook.com)
•Hamilton puppet
•Hamilton’s house
Ponder Point:
God Made People
Hi, Friends! Welcome! I am so excited to be here with you today. Let’s all celebrate God by singing and dancing together! (Play the “TruBlessings Theme Song” and lead kids in dance and celebration.)
Wow! That was great! Now, everyone, take a seat—it’s time to hear part of The Big God Story! Do you know who else wants to hear part of The Big God Story? That’s right! Hamilton the Hedgehog! Should we call him and ask him join us? (Children will answer.) On the count of three, let’s call him together. Are you ready? One, two, three. Hamilton, where are you? (Encourage the kids to call for Hamilton. Have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog and bring Hamilton out of his house as soon as the children call. It’s okay if the children see the volunteer with the puppet on her hand.) Hi, Hamilton, you sure popped out of your house quickly today! (Hamilton nods up and down.) You must be super excited to hear what’s going to happen in The Big God Story!
Are you ready to hear this part of The Big God Story? (Hamilton nods excitedly.) Me too! But before we get started, do you know where we can find The Big God Story? (Have Hamilton nod his head and gesture to the Bible.) That’s right—the Bible. God gave us the Bible so we can learn about Him. It’s full of things that help us get to know God. We read the Bible to learn about God and about His Son, Jesus. And I know that you love to dig, dig, dig into God’s Word to find out what He has to say to us. Isn’t that right, Hamilton? (Have Hamilton nod his head.) Let’s all stand up and sing our Bible Song together.
Bible Song (sung to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
Now it’s time to hear God’s Word
Hear God’s Word
Hear God’s Word
Now it’s time to hear God’s Word
So let’s look in the Bible
As the song ends, have the children return to their Story Spots. Hamilton can model this for the children by sitting quietly as he listens to The Big God Story. The volunteer can return him to his house with his little face peeking out, or she may choose to sit quietly with him throughout the storytelling section.
AS YOU BEGIN STORYTELLING
As you begin the storytelling section of DISCOVER, have a volunteer available to be Hamilton the Hedgehog using the puppet you provide. Or you may choose to act as the storyteller and the puppeteer. Encourage Hamilton to come out of his house. Consider having a facade that is part of your stage/teaching area. This facade can act as a puppet stage to conceal puppeteers. However, if this is not an option, if children see the volunteer with the puppet on his/her hand, encourage the volunteer to interact with Hamilton and the children. Their participation will help kids to see the puppeteer and puppet as separate characters.
The Big God Story
The Big God Story is written for a two- to three-year-old audience.You can tell it in its entirety for an older audience but may need to shorten it if the class is on the younger side.
The Very First People
Genesis 1:26–31; 2:4–25
SUPPLIES
•bowl
•dirt
PREPARE
Place the dirt in the bowl.
SET UP
Place the bowl of dirt near the Storyteller.
Okay friends, before we get started, let’s all pray together and ask God to teach us. (Lead the kids in a Prayer of Release as you prepare to hear God’s Word.)
Prayer of Release
A Prayer of Release is a prayer asking God to remove any distractions that would get in the way of hearing from and responding to Him. As we pray, we dedicate this time to the Lord and ask to be filled with knowledge and understanding from Him, giving God His rightful role as teacher.
We can begin to model this posture of prayer with the children in our care. To lead two- to three-year-old children, pray a simple prayer thanking God for His presence and asking Him to teach you as you gather together. For example: “Thank You, God, for being with us. We ask that You would teach us today.”
Friends, who made the sun and moon and all of the stars? God did! Who made the water and land? God did! Who made all of the fish in the ocean and all of the animals? God did! And who made you and me? God did! Yes, God made people too.
He didn’t use His words to make people; He used His breath. Can you hold up your hand in front of your mouth and breathe on it? (Demonstrate for the children how to do this.) That’s what God did. First, He took a handful of dirt (show the children the dirt), and He then molded it together and formed a man. But God wasn’t finished. He breathed into what He made, and the man came to life. Isn’t that amazing! Only God can give life!
God named the first man Adam. Each of you has a special name that your mommy and daddy gave you. What is your name? (Go around the room and have the children say their names. If you have a large group, have the children all say their name at the same time.) Those are great names! Well, God didn’t want Adam to be all alone—he needed a helper.
Guess what God did next! God made Adam go to sleep. Then He took a rib bone from Adam and made a woman. Her name was Eve. God looked at Adam and Eve and said they were very good. Friends, where did Adam and Eve live? They lived in a beautiful garden. God walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the garden He had made. Sometimes they could hear God’s footsteps. What do you think God’s footsteps sounded like? I wonder if it sounded like this? (Pat your hands on your legs to mimic the sound of walking.) Let’s all do this together. We can pretend to make the sound of someone walking. That may have been what Adam and Eve heard when God was coming to spend time with them.