Day 6- Animals & People
LESSON PURPOSE: Discover that God made animals and people on Day 6 of Creation.
EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK: Heart for Creation
SONG IDEAS:
Creation Song by Saddleback Kids (emphasis on Day 6)
As the Deer
PICTURE BOOKS:
“Curious George Visits the Zoo” by Margret and H.A. Rey
“Night Animals” by Gianna Marino
“I Don’t Want to be a Frog” by Dev Petty
SCRIPTURE:
“And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” -Genesis 1:24-31
“We must be thankful for the world of plants and the animal kingdom.” -Sun Myung Moon
AS CHILDREN ARRIVE: Choose 1:
Animal Puzzle: You will need a puzzle. Allow children to work together.
Animal Matching Game: You will need matching animal cards. Children can play alone or with a small group.
God Made Me Special Worksheet: You will need these worksheets, pencils, and crayons.
INTRODUCE the Lesson (Engage)
WELCOME: SONG, PRAYER, TP Greeting
REVIEW & TRANSITION:
How many days did it take for God to make all of Creation? Seven days! So far, we learned about the first 5 days of Creation. Let’s review them. On Day 1 of Creation, God created night and day. On Day 2 of Creation, God created water and sky. On Day 3 of Creation, God created land, plants, and trees. On Day 4 of Creation, God created the sun, moon and stars. On Day 5 of Creation, God created fish and birds.
ATTENTION GRABBER:
*For this section, you will need these props: a wig (or hat), a cane (or stick), and a winter jacket with a fur-lined hood. Call on 3 volunteers and have them line up side by side in the front of the room. Inspired by this video.
When I go to the supermarket or the mall, I see many types of people. Some people have blonde hair. (Adjust this sentence to fit the kind of wig you have. Put the wig on the first child. If you brought a hat, say “Some people are bald so they wear a hat.”) Some people are weak and they need a cane to help them walk. (Give the cane or stick to the second child.) Some people live where it’s cold all year round and they need to wear a warm jacket. (Put the jacket on the third child.)
When I look around, everybody looks different. Their skin color is different. Their eye color is different. But you will never meet anybody in the world who God didn’t make special. No matter what they look like and no matter how they live their lives, God made them special. God made you special and He loves you.
INTRO: Today, we will learn that on Day 6 of Creation, God made animals and human beings!
ACTIVITY: choose 1 or more:
VIDEO:
God Made People by Crossroads Kids’ Club
Creation by Saddleback Kids
“A Fox and a Mouse” by TheCGBros (6 minute animation)
READ ALOUD STORY:
See picture books listed above.
TEACH the Lesson (Explain/Explore)
*TEACHING POINT 1: GOD MADE Animals
INTERACTIVE LESSON: Use this Powerpoint
God made all the animals in the world. What’s your favorite animal God made? (List them on a whiteboard or large poster paper.) Wow, God made all the animals so different. Some are wild, some are tame, and some crawl on the ground.
What are some wild animals that you’ve heard of? (Tigers, lions, bears, etc.) Wild animals live outside in nature or sometimes in a zoo. A tame animal is the opposite. Tame animals can be house pets or sometimes they live on a farm. What are some tame animals you know of? (Dogs, cats, hamsters, cows, pigs, etc.) God also made many animals that can crawl. What are some animals that can crawl? (Spiders, insects, snakes, etc.)
*For this section, you will need 3 signs that say “wild”, “tame”, and “crawling”. Tape them on 3 different walls of the room.
Let’s play a game to help us remember all those different kinds of animals. I’ll name an animal and I want you to make the sound of that animal. Then, I want you to stand by the sign that describes that animal. Is it wild, tame, or crawling?
Lion
Cat
Cow
Snake
Dog
Giraffe
Worm
Spider
Bear
Rabbit
God made all the animals for humankind to love and take care of. The animal kingdom shows just how creative and amazing God is!
DISCUSSION:
Who made the animals?
How can we be kind to animals?
What would life be like without animals? Why are you grateful for animals?
*TEACHING POINT 2: GOD MADE PEOPLE
INTERACTIVE LESSON:
Animals weren’t God’s very last piece of creation. Do you know what God created as His most prized work of art? Humans! What makes animals and humans different? (Allow for answers.)
The Bible says, “God created mankind in His own image.” What do you think this means? (Allow for answers.) It means God made us to look like Him! We are special because He modeled us after Himself. No other animal is like that. If we look like God, do you think God has a nose? Do you think God has 2 legs? Do you think God can do this?? (Do a silly dance.) Yes, He looks like us and He can do anything we can do because humans were made in God’s image.
On Day 6 of Creation, God didn’t just create one human. The Bible says, “Male and female He created them.” After God created Adam, He realized He didn’t want him to be alone. God created humans to need other people. Whether it’s a spouse or a friend, we are wired to depend on one another. So God made Eve.
Adam and Eve were God’s most special creation, He gave them the breath of life! Humans are the only thing in creation that has a soul, or God’s spirit. Because of our souls, humans can talk, cry, laugh, and create--just like God! Adam and Eve were the first family. They enjoyed being together, working in the garden, and watching all the animals God had created. God loved Adam and Eve, and Adam and Eve loved God.
DISCUSSION:
How are humans different from animals?
Why did God create Eve?
How do you think God felt after creating Adam and Eve?
DISCUSSION:
Why did God create birds?
Do you think birds would survive if there was no air?
APPLY the Lesson Evaluate
ACTIVITIES: Choose 1:
Animal Guess Who?: You will need animal cards and tape. Tape an animal card on each child’s forehead without them seeing the card. The children will take turns asking yes or no questions to figure out what animals they have on their foreheads.
Fingerprint Science: You will need white paper, a marker, a stamp pad (washable and non-toxic), and a magnifying glass. Have the children outline both hands on their paper with the marker. Help them press their fingers on the stamp pad and then directly onto their finger outlines. Allow children to examine their fingerprints with the magnifying glass.
CRAFTS:
Animal Masks: You will need paper plates, markers, scissors, construction paper, glue, and a straw. (Follow these links to make a bear, fox, and bunny.)
SNACK IDEA:
Animal Crackers
Carrots and Hummus, made to look like a lion
CONCLUDE the Lesson
CONCLUSION:
On Day 6 of Creation, God made animals and human beings. Humans are the most special to God because He made us in His image. Everything we can do, God can do too. God also made male and female, so we can create beautiful families to enjoy the rest of creation.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Parent, thank you for the beautiful and amazing world You created. Today we learned that you made humans and how we are a reflection of You! It must bring You so much joy and pride to watch us grow and learn about You every day. Please laugh and smile with us this week. Amen. Aju.
