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On the last day of creation, God created animals. After this, it was finally time for God to create man and woman. There was something special about this last creature of creation. God created man and woman in His “own image.” As seen in Adam and Eve, people are distinct from animals and have a have a special relationship and partnership with God.

Bible verses used in this episode:
Genesis 1:24-31; 2:7, 18-25

Other helpful verses about animals:

• They belong to God: Job 12:7-10; Psalm 50:10-11
• Praise God for His care of creation. Psalm 145
• Used to describe peace. Isaiah 11:6-9
• Kindness towards animals. Exodus 23:5; Proverbs 12:10; Proverbs 27:23
• Examples of truths. Job 12:7-10; Job 35:11; Proverbs 30:24-31; Matthew 10:29-31; James 3:7-10
• God knows us. Psalm 139:13-16

Outline:

1. God created animals (Genesis 1:24-25)
2. God created people (Genesis 1:26-27)
3. God blessed what he created (Genesis 1:28-31)

Tips for teaching children:

• Play a game where one child makes an animal sound, and the other children guess the animal.
• Show illustrations of the human body. This might include the skeleton, muscles, etc.
• Talk about how amazing God’s creation of the human body is. Take a pulse or listen to a heartbeat.

Tips for teaching adults:

• Psalm 8 is a beautiful reflection on Genesis 1. I suggest asking one person to read verses 1-2, another to read verses 3-8, and then the first reader to read the last verse. Ask the class to discuss the relationship between God, humans, and animals. How does this make you feel? How can you exercise your care over the creation in a way that honours God and reflects his wisdom?
• Project: Organise a project to clean up and beautify a park. This project can include children. Beautifying a park may involve picking up rubbish, clearing out dead plants, removing dead limbs, and planting new things appropriate to the park. Afterwards, meet somewhere and reflect on this project in light of Genesis 1:26-31. Ask the group, “ How were we partnering with God in taking care of his creation?”
• Research the prayer of St. Basil the Great, (influential 4th-century Christian leader, teacher and preacher) and his prayer about animals.

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson: Day 6- God Created Animals and People

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org