Saints LightWho Made the World?
God made the whole world out of nothing because He is good, and everything He made is good.
Look out the window. Trees, clouds, birds, puppies, mountains, the moon and every star: God made all of it. The very first words of the Bible say so: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (CCC 279).
God did not need anything to start with. People make things out of wood, clay or paper, but God made the world out of nothing, simply because He wanted to. He made it with wisdom, so it works in an amazing order: day and night, seasons, seeds that grow into plants (CCC 295, 299).
Each time God made something, the Bible says He saw that it was good. When He had made the first man and woman, He saw that everything was very good. Every creature is good in its own way, from a tiny ant to a giant whale (CCC 339).
People are special in God's creation. We are made in God's image, which means we can think, choose, love and pray. A dog is wonderful, but a dog cannot say thank you to God. You can!
Because the world is God's gift, we take care of it. Turning off the water while you brush your teeth, being gentle with animals and picking up litter are ways of saying thank you to the Maker. Science helps us learn how God's world works, and the more we learn, the more there is to wonder at.
Key points
- God made everything out of nothing.
- Everything God made is good.
- People are made in God's image to care for His world.
The Word of God
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 279
- CCC 295
- CCC 299
- CCC 339
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
Go on a "God made it" walk with your family this week. Count how many different things God made that you can spot, and do one thing to care for creation, like feeding the birds or picking up litter.
Check yourself: three questions
1. What did God use to make the world?
- Clay and water
- Nothing at all
- Leftover stars
- Help from the angels
Show the answer
Nothing at all. God made everything out of nothing, just because He wanted to.
2. What did God say about what He made?
- It was very good
- It was a mistake
- It was boring
- It needed fixing
Show the answer
It was very good. Genesis says God saw everything He had made, and it was very good.
3. What makes people special in creation?
- We are the biggest creatures
- We can fly
- We never get sick
- We are made in God's image and can love and pray
Show the answer
We are made in God's image and can love and pray. Being made in God's image means we can think, choose, love and pray.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know that God made everything out of nothing and that all He made is good, and will want to thank Him and care for His world.
Opener. Bring a bag holding a few natural things (a leaf, a rock, a flower, a shell). Pull them out one at a time and ask: "Who made this? Could a person make this out of nothing?"
Discussion questions
- What is your favorite thing God made? [Let every child answer, then thank God for each one aloud.]
- Can people make something out of nothing? [No. We always need materials. Only God creates from nothing.]
- How are people different from animals? [We can think, choose, love and pray, because we are made in God's image.]
- How can we take care of God's world this week? [Look for concrete ideas: saving water, picking up litter, kindness to animals.]
Activity. Days of creation wheel: divide a paper plate into seven wedges. In each wedge children draw one day: light; sky and water; land, sea and plants; sun, moon and stars; fish and birds; animals and people; God resting. In the center they write: It was very good. If there is time, read Genesis 1 slowly while they draw.
Closing prayer. Thank You, God, for the sun and the rain, for animals and trees, for my family and my friends. Thank You for making me in Your image. Help me take good care of Your world. Amen.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, mystery bag opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, creation wheel 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
Related lessons
- Creation, the Fall and Why the World Is Broken (Start Here, free)
- I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth (The Creed, free)
- Why Care for Creation? (Social Teaching)
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