Big Idea: Jesus defeated sin, we we can have a friendship with God.
Bible Basis: The Book of Genesis
Key Verse: “Nothing at all can separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.” Romans 8:39b
OPENING PRAYER
God, thank you for giving us this opportunity to come together around your Word. As we pause from the struggles of this sinful world, help us focus on you, trust in your promises, and find peace in your incredible love for us. Strengthen our faith through your Word and keep us always focused on the ultimate gift of eternal life that you have given us through the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of the Book of Genesis?
What did you learn about God from the Book of Genesis?
For older kids:
What do you think the Book of Genesis shows us about God?
After people sinned, God didn’t just give up on them. Why do you think that is?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: How does it feel to know that Jesus died for your sins? Tell Jesus about it in a prayer.
Journal Station prompt: What do you think it means to have a friendship with God? Tell God about some of the things you want to do with Him.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Genesis 1:26-31. Draw a picture of the story or write to God your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.
Art Station prompt: What does a friendship with God look like to you? Draw a picture of it.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Zoom Connect Activity
- Set-up: Print the “Zoom: Wrecking Ball” picture cards on 8½ x 11 cardstock paper and cut apart.
- Say: This week, we’re starting a super fun new series called “Zoom.” For the next 5 weeks, we’re going to zoom in and out on the first 5 books of the Bible. To get started, though, we’re going to zoom in and out on something else. Let’s see if you can guess what it is.
- Directions: Keep the “Zoom: Wrecking Ball” pictures turned over until the appropriate time. Each card is numbered 1–4. When ready, turn over the first card. Ask your kid what they think is pictured and why they think that. After they have shared, turn over the second card and repeat. Each card will zoom further out on the mystery picture making it easier to identify. Continue until all four cards have been turned over and the mystery picture is revealed. When finished, ask the following question:
- Question: Have you ever created or built something really cool and then someone totally wrecked it? Tell me about it.
+ Crossing the Divide (Application Activity)
- Set-up: In the Book of Genesis, we learn that God created us to have a perfect friendship with Him, but then sin wrecked everything. Sin created a separation between us and God. We’re going to do an activity that will help us picture that.
- Directions: Lay 2 pieces of rope parallel to each other on the floor with about 6 inches between them. Instruct your child to stand along the edge of one rope while facing the other rope. Say, “1, 2, 3…Jump!” and have the kids do a standing broad jump over the gap to the opposite side of the other rope. Next, with the help of your kid, move one of the ropes 6 inches further away so that the gap becomes bigger. Repeat the instructions above. Continue moving the ropes further away from each other until no one can jump all the way across. Ask the following questions.
- Question: How does this activity remind you of sin?
- Question: What did Jesus do to help bridge the “sin gap” that separates us from God?
- Directions: Using tape, create a cross that stretches from one rope to the other. Tell your child to walk along the cross from one side of the gap to the other.
- Say: Romans 8:39 says, “Nothing at all can separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.” When Jesus died on the cross, he defeated sin. Now there’s nothing that can separate us from a friendship with God.
- Question: What do you think it means to have a friendship with God?
- Question: What kinds of things can you do with God? (Possible answers: Talk to Him through prayer, learn about Him through the Bible, sing to Him through worship, spend time with Him at church, be with Him someday in heaven, etc.)
+ Sticky Note Relay Race (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Set-up: Print the Bible Verse sign on 8½ x 11 paper. (Download below.) Write each word from the verse below (including the reference) on a different Post-it® Note.
- Directions: Using the “Bible Verse” sign, read the verse several times with your child so that they can begin to memorize it. Today’s Bible verse says: “Nothing at all can separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.” Romans 8:39b. Next, remove the “Bible Verse” sign and replace it with the Post-it® Notes. Each Post-it® Note will have one word from the verse. Be sure that the Post-it® Notes are mixed up and facing down. When you say “go,” have your child grab a note, race to a nearby wall, and stick the note to the wall. As the words are stuck to the wall, they must be added in the right order. Time your child to see how long it takes them to put the verse in the right order. When finished, recite the verse from memory. Play several rounds to see if they can beat their previous time.
- Question: Are you ever afraid that God stops loving you when you sin? What does this verse say about that?
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to earth in order to defeat sin so that I could have a friendship with God.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the different accounts from Genesis that were mentioned as part of this week’s lesson:
Genesis 1-3 (Creation and Fall into Sin)
Genesis 12:1-9; Genesis 15 (Abraham)
Genesis 37, 42-45, 50 (Joseph)
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!