Welcome

            Thank kids for coming.

            Just for fun, have kids shake hands with four friends using the back of their hands.

            Make announcements.

            Introduce new kids.

            Celebrate birthdays by having kids sing “Happy Birthday” off-key.

            Collect the offering.

Introduce the Lesson

            Say: Today we’re going to learn that God created us for a reason. He made each of you! ] Let’s talk about some things we’ve made.

Share

            Tell about a few things you’ve made. For example, you might say that you made a scarf from yarn, you made a doghouse from wood and nails, or you made cookies by putting all the ingredients together and baking them.

            In small groups, have kids share about something they’ve made.

            After small groups have discussed, have a few kids share with the whole group what they talked about in their small groups.

Summarize

            Open a Bible, and say: Wow! You all have made a lot of interesting creations. But the most interesting creations are you! God made you special, and God created you for a reason. Let’s see what the Bible says about how God made us. The Bible isn’t like other books—it’s really special. That’s because God can talk to us through the Bible. God is here right now, ready to talk to you!

            Pray, thanking God for creating us for a reason.

Tip 

• Don’t have internet in your classroom? That’s okay! You can choose your own worship songs from our Best Of Dig In Music DVD here.

Sing Songs to God

          Sing the three songs in any order.

Create a Habitat

            Set out random classroom supplies, and have kids form groups of four.

            Say: Your group is going to make a zoo habitat for an animal. Decide what animal you want to make a habitat for, and then think through everything your animal would need in a home. You’ll use your creativity and anything in this classroom to make a perfect habitat for your animal. Instead of saying “make” or “made,” we might say “created.” So let’s create some great habitats. For example, you might use a tape dispenser on its side to make a food dish or markers to build a fence. You’ll have just three minutes to make it!

            Allow three minutes for kids to make their habitats. Then have groups tell everyone about their animals and habitats.

            Ask: • What does your animal need to have a perfect home?

            • Why would you care about making sure your animal had what it needed?

            • How did you use creativity to make your habitat?

            Say: Today we’re going to learn that God created us for a reason. But before God created people, he created a special home for us. We had to use supplies to create our habitats, but God started with nothing! Let’s see what God created and why it helped make a good home for us.

Talk About It

            Have kids get in small groups. Say: In the beginning, there was nothing. But God is creative! So God made light and darkness. Darken the room as much as possible. With the lights off, have kids discuss this question in their small groups.

            Ask: • Why would people need light and darkness?

            Turn the lights back on. Say: After he made light and darkness, God made the sky. Have kids crouch down and hold a blue bedsheet over their heads while they discuss this question.

            Ask: • What does the sky do for people?

            Say: After he made the sky, God made the land and sea. Have kids run in place like they’re on land and then pretend to swim in the sea.

            Ask: • Why are both of those important for people?

            Say: After he made the land and sea, God made plants, like fruit and trees. Give everyone a fruit slice to eat as kids discuss this question.

            Ask: • What are your favorite plants to eat?

            Say: Remember the light and darkness and the land? Those things all help plants live and grow. And people need plants to eat. God was setting up everything just right.

            After he made plants, God made the sun, moon, and stars. Have kids sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” as fast as they can.

            Ask: • Why are the sun, moon, and stars important to people?

            Say: Did you know that the moon is related to the ocean? If you’ve been to the ocean, you might’ve noticed that the waves come farther up the beach several times a day. And other times the waves stop farther out. That’s called “tides.” The moon actually controls when the tides in the ocean come in and go out. If the tides didn’t come in and go out like they’re supposed to, the land would flood and people would lose their homes! And the sun, in addition to giving us light, is just the right distance from the earth so that people and animals can survive. God made everything just right for a home for us.

            Then God made fish and birds. Have kids try to answer the next question while making a fish face.

            Ask: • What are some ways people enjoy fish and birds?

            Say: Next, God made animals. On the count of three, have all the kids make the sound of their favorite animal.

            Ask: • What’s your favorite animal?

            • What’s your favorite thing about animals?

            Say: After God made all these things, God said it was good. It was kind of like your habitats. Everyone did a good job! But there’s something missing from your habitats, right? God had made the whole world, but he had one more job. So God made the best thing yet. God made people!

            Read Genesis 1:26-27 and 1:31.

            Say: Notice that God said it was very good when he made people. He created us for a reason! We were the best part of his creation. He made us in his image because he wanted to be friends with us.

Breathe Life

            Distribute a balloon to each child.

            Say: The Bible also talks about how God created people. It’s pretty amazing! Listen.

            Read Genesis 2:7. Then have kids use permanent markers to draw faces on their uninflated balloons and blow them up. Help kids tie off the balloons as needed.

            Say: Not only did God make the perfect place for people to live, but he used the ground he’d made to make something even better!

            But he realized making one person wasn’t enough. He realized the man needed a friend. So here’s what God did.

            Read Genesis 2:21-22.

            Say: God created us for a reason. He made us so unique and special! The Bible says God made us in his own image and that he breathed life into us. He didn’t do that for anything else he made. God created you for a reason. He made you unique and special. He has a purpose for your life. You may not know what that specific purpose is yet, but whenever you worship or honor God, you’re already fulfilling God’s purpose for you.

            Think about special things God put into you. Maybe he made you good at math or soccer. Maybe he made you kind or encouraging. On your balloon, write words about the unique ways God made you.

            As kids finish writing on their balloons, hang the balloons up with tape. If your ceiling is low enough, you can put rolled pieces of tape on the top of the balloons and stick the balloons to the ceiling so they look like floating helium balloons. If your ceiling is too high, put rolled pieces of tape on the side of the balloons and attach them to a wall.

            Say: Our room was good before you came today. But now it’s very good! It’s full of people God created for a reason! Just as your balloons are full of something that came from you—your breath—you are filled with something that came from God. You’re made in his image, made alive by his breath! He made people special, and he created us for a reason.

To use this feature, please ask your DIG IN Director to create a One Room classroom. For instructions and tips on creating a classroom for at-home lessons, click here.

Tip

• Don’t have internet in your classroom? That’s okay! You can download the videos before class using the “download” button at the link provided, or purchase DVDs here.

Discuss and Watch “God’s Creation”

            Say: We’ve been learning that God made us for a reason. We can praise God in a special way. But the Bible talks about how everything God made can praise him. Let’s watch a video about that.

            Watch “God’s Creation.”

            Ask: • How could the skies or stars praise God?

            • How could elephants and whales praise God?

            Read Luke 19:40. Say: If we don’t praise God, nature can.

            • What’s special about the way humans can praise God?

            Say: It’s kind of a mystery how animals and nature could bring praise to God. They can’t use words to say kind things about him. Even though everything God created can praise him, nothing can love or praise him quite like we can. God made us for a reason—to love him, praise him, and be in a relationship with him.

Not available for this age level.

Tips

• If watermelons are in season, we recommend including them since seeds can be found in each piece.

Find the Seeds

            Say: God created some plants for us to eat. Did you know that fruits have seeds inside? God created seeds for a reason. Hold up a seed. I took this seed from [name of fruit], and if I put it in the ground and watered it and took care of it, it would grow into another [name of fruit]. Let’s find the seeds in our fruit and take a closer look!

            Give each child a piece of fruit on a paper plate. Have kids clean their hands and then find and remove seeds with their fingers. Have kids use magnifying glasses to examine the seeds, and ask questions about what they see. Ask questions to aid discovery regarding the seeds’ color, size, and how many kids can count. If using a fruit with one large seed, pass the seed so kids can take turns examining it.

Eat the Fruit

            Say: Now that we’ve found all the seeds, let’s pray and thank God for creating this fruit for a reason—to eat it!

            Say a short prayer of thanks, and then enjoy! Have wet wipes ready to clean up sticky hands and tables after kids have finished. 

Talk About It

            Say: God created seeds for a reason. He made some small and some big. Some seeds are easy to find, and others are a little tricky. God made seeds on purpose so that more fruit could grow. God said the plants and fruit he made were good.

            Ask: • What is your favorite fruit or vegetable that God made?

            Say: Just like you have a favorite fruit, God has a favorite thing he created—people! He created every single thing about us and said that the people he created weren’t just good but very good! God created us for a reason. We are his favorite creation because we can love and obey him.

Talk About How God Could Have Made Us

            Say: Today we’re learning about everything that God made. God made every single thing in the world—all the animals, the plants, the ocean and mountains, even the stars in the sky. And God made each one of us, too! God likes all of the things he made in the world, but he really loves us. We are God’s special creation! And he made us just the way he wanted us to be. God could have made us with eight legs like an octopus (wiggle your arms like tentacles) or with a long trunk like an elephant (move one arm in front of you like a trunk).

            Ask: • What are other ways God could have made us? Encourage children to use their imaginations to think of fun and silly ways God could’ve created people.

            Say: Those are all such fun, creative ideas! Let’s look at ourselves in a mirror to see how God did make us.

Play With Mirrors

            Form pairs, and give each pair a hand mirror with something drawn on it or have each pair stand by one of the images drawn on the full-length mirror. Have one child in each pair look in the mirror first. Then after a few seconds, have partners switch so each child gets a turn.  

            Say: God did such an awesome job making you! He gave you [describe features on the mirror]. Wait a minute…That’s not right. That’s not how God made you! That would be silly! Now it’s your turn to draw on the mirror a silly way God could have made you.

            Give each pair of kids a paper towel and a dry-erase marker. Have kids wipe off the images you drew on the mirrors, and have each child draw something on their pair’s mirror. Once kids have each contributed to their pair’s drawing, they can each look at themselves in the mirror again.

            Say: There are so many ways God could have made you. But God created you for a reason just the way you are! Have kids wipe off the drawings so they can see themselves clearly in the mirror. Each of you is perfectly and wonderfully made by God. He made you just the way he wants you to be!

            God didn’t just make you to look like you; he also gave each of you special gifts and talents. Maybe God gave you the gift of giving really good hugs to people when they’re sad. Or maybe he made you to like science or painting pictures. Or maybe he made you so you can run really, really fast! Strike a pose in the mirror of a gift or talent God has given you—something that you like to do!

            If you’re using hand mirrors for this lesson, have one child hold the mirror for his or her partner while the partner strikes a pose, and then have partners switch. If you’re using full-length mirrors on their sides, have kids back away from the mirrors so all the children can see themselves at the same time while they strike poses.

            Say: God wonderfully made you and gave each of you special gifts, talents and interests. God created you for a reason and has good plans for each of you. You are God’s special creation, and he wants you to be his friend!

Recommended for 4 or more kids.

Play a Game

            Say: God created people to do special things. Let’s play a game to celebrate being made special by God!

            Choose one child to be the “high-fiver” and stand in the middle of the playing space. Have the rest of the kids go to one side of the room. Stand with the high-fiver in the middle of the room.

            Say: I’ll shout out something special about people. If it’s true for you, hop to the person in the middle to get a high-five and then hop to the other side of the room. When kids are ready, begin. Hop to get a high-five if you are wearing blue, and then hop to the other side!  

            Celebrate everyone who:

• ate breakfast
• brushed their teeth
• has a pet
• likes to sing
• likes to play catch
• likes to play outside

            Add in your own ideas if you’d like. Select a new high-fiver for each new celebration. Encourage the high-fiver to call out ideas to celebrate. Mix things up by calling different ways to move to the other side after kids get a high-five. Ideas include:

• jump like a kangaroo
• walk backward
• jog
• tiptoe
• gallop
• take giant steps

Talk About It

            Ask: • Think of a person you really love. What are special things about that person? Share about someone from your life to begin the conversation. For example, share things about your spouse or best friend.

            Say: It’s fun to celebrate the special things people do. God created us for a reason. He made us all special, and he celebrates each one of us!

Recommended for 10 or more kids.

Find a Reason

            Have kids gather around tables. Give each person a pen and an “All About You” handout.

            Say: Today we heard how God created Adam and Eve. We’re also learning that, as he did with Adam and Eve, God created each of us for a reason. Let’s think more about those reasons as we play a game. Talk about what each of the squares could mean for kids. For example, the picture of “art” could mean that kids like the subject of art. Determine what each will mean to your kids. For example, you might decide that the picture of pets means that you have pets, rather than you like them, or vice versa.

            Say: Your goal is to find people who match the squares on your paper. For example, if a square has a picture of pets,  you’ll find someone who loves pets to sign that square. Your goal is to have someone different sign each square, if possible.

            Allow time for kids to mingle around the room and find kids who match each description. More than one child may qualify for each square. For example, you might have three kids who love pets. Kids can find any one of the kids who love pets to sign that square.

Talk About It

            Ask: • Which of the things on the handout feels like the most important to you? Explain.

            • How could you use the pictures on the squares you signed to worship God?

            Say: Look at your handout again. Before you were even born, God created every one of these unique things about the people who signed. God created us for these reasons and many more.

Make Dough

            Divide kids into groups of four, and have helpers nearby to each assist a couple of groups. Give each group one mixing bowl and the measured ingredients in small cups.

            Have one child in each group add the flour, one add the cornstarch, and the third add the salt to the bowl. Have kids mix these dry ingredients with their hands. Finally, have the fourth child add the water a little bit at a time as the others stir and knead the dough with their hands.

            As kids mix the dough, walk around with a cup of warm water in case groups need a little bit more. After kids have had the opportunity to knead the dough for a few minutes, the helpers can finish kneading the dough to make sure all the ingredients are completely combined.  

Make a Sculpture

            Give each child a plate with a sheet of wax paper on it. Help kids each take one quarter of their group’s dough.

            Say: God created us for a reason. God made people so that we can take care of all his creation, all the plants and animals. And God made people for the special purpose of being his friends! Now that you have your dough, make something that has a special purpose. You could make a bowl or a plate that can hold things or a cool sculpture that will make you smile when you see it.

            Allow time for kids to sculpt. As kids work, have them talk about what they’re making and what the purpose of their creation is.

            Say: You might not have known what you were going to make until you started playing with the dough. But God knew what he was doing when he made people. God created us for a reason. He knows just why he made you!

            Encourage kids to take their crafts home and tell their friends and family the purpose of what they made and that God created us for a reason. The clay will take a couple of days to dry, and then kids can paint it if they want.

Act It Out

            Say: Today we learned that God created you for a reason. Let’s think of some of those reasons right now. Go through the following list and have kids act out each reason. Invite kids share any other reasons they can think of.

• God made you to love others. (Kids hug one or two others in the group.)
• God made you to take care of others. (Kids pretend to rock a baby.)
• God made you to be a good friend. (Kids shake hands with or high-five one or two others in the group.)
• God made you to tell others about him. (Kids whisper “God loves you” in others’ ears.)
• God made you to love him. (Kids point up.)

Receive a Blessing

            Say: Those are some reasons God created you. And as we grow and change, we’ll learn more and more reasons God made us. God loves each of you so much, and he made each of you special! In adult or teen leader-led small groupsof about six kids, have leaders tell each child, “[Name], God made you for a reason” and then lead the children in saying, “Thank you, God, for [name].”

            After each child has been affirmed, pray: God, please help us love like you. Thank you for making each of us for a reason. In Jesus’ name, amen.

            If you have extra time, spend some time reading today’s Bible story from the Friends With God Story Bible.

            Thank kids for coming, and let them know that you hope to see them again soon.

            Distribute a copy of the “Dig In @ Home” handout to kids as they leave, or email it to parents during the week.