In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
In the Beginning
Before anything existed — before the sun, before the moon, before the oceans, before the animals, before you — there was God. And God had a wonderful plan.
The very first words of the Bible tell us: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Everything we see, everything we touch, everything we hear — God made it all. And He made it on purpose, with love and care.
When God started creating, the earth was dark and empty. There was nothing but water and darkness everywhere. But God was about to change all of that in the most amazing way!
The Seven Days of Creation
Day 1: God said, "Let there be light!" And just like that — BOOM — light appeared! God separated the light from the darkness. He called the light "Day" and the darkness "Night." That was the very first day ever.
Day 2: God made the beautiful blue sky — the big space between the water on the ground and the clouds up above. Every time you look up at the sky, you're looking at what God made on Day 2!
Day 3: God gathered all the water into oceans, lakes, and rivers, and dry land appeared. Then He made plants spring up from the ground — tall trees, colorful flowers, green grass, and every kind of plant you can imagine. God made your favorite fruits and vegetables on this day!
Day 4: God placed the sun in the sky to shine during the day, and the moon and billions of twinkling stars to light up the night. Every sunset and every starry night is a reminder of God's amazing creativity.
Day 5: God filled the oceans with fish — from tiny minnows to massive whales — and the sky with birds of every color and size. He told them to multiply and fill the earth. Imagine the very first bird singing the very first song!
Day 6: This was the biggest day of all. God made every kind of land animal — dogs, cats, elephants, giraffes, butterflies, everything! But He wasn't done yet. God saved the very best for last...
God made people. He formed the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground and breathed life into him. Then He made the first woman, Eve, to be Adam's partner. God made humans special — in His own image. That means YOU are made in the image of God!
Day 7: After six days of creating, God rested. Not because He was tired — God never gets tired! He rested to show us that rest is good and important. He blessed the seventh day and made it special. And when God looked at everything He had made, He said it was "very good" (Genesis 1:31).
God Made You Special
Of everything God created — the mountains, the oceans, the stars, the animals — do you know what He loves the most? You.
The Bible says God made people "in his own image" (Genesis 1:27). That doesn't mean we look exactly like God — it means we can think, love, create, and make choices, just like He does. Out of all creation, only people were made in God's image. That makes every person incredibly special and valuable.
Remember This!
- God made everything, and He said it was "very good."
- You are made in God's image — that makes you incredibly special.
- God is powerful enough to create the universe, yet He loves you personally.
- We can thank God every day for the amazing world He made for us to enjoy.
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? What is your favorite thing God created? Why?
- ? If you could have watched God create one thing, which day would you choose to watch?
- ? How does knowing God made you "in His image" make you feel about yourself?
Family Activity
Go on a Creation Walk! Take a walk outside as a family and try to spot something from each day of creation: light (sunshine), sky (clouds), plants (trees and flowers), sun/moon/stars, birds or fish, animals, and then rest together with a snack and talk about how amazing God's creation is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who made everything?
God made everything! The very first verse of the Bible says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Every star, every animal, every flower, and every person was made by God.
How long did it take God to make the world?
The Bible tells us God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh day. He could have done it in an instant, but He chose to create step by step, showing us that He is a God of order and purpose.
Why did God make people?
God made people because He wanted a relationship with us. He made us in His own image — that means we can think, feel, love, and create, just like God does. He made us to know Him and love Him.
What was the first thing God created?
The first thing God created was light. He said, "Let there be light," and there was light! He called the light Day and the darkness Night. That was the very first day.
Daily Family Devotional
Start each morning with scripture, reflection, and family discussion questions delivered to your inbox.
Free, delivered daily. Unsubscribe anytime.