The Days of Creation | Genesis 1:1–2:3 |Godly Play Presentation
In the story of creation, we begin to trace God’s elusive presence with God’s People. In the Godly Play presentation for Creation,children see the seven days of creation illustrated in a series of seven cards, laid out one by one. The cards are illustrated in the presentation below.
How to Use this Parent Page
With your child, begin by looking together at the illustrations below and listening as your child recalls—and in a sense relives—the experience of today’s Godly Play presentation. Invite your child to respond to the drawings. You might say, for example:
– I wonder what you can tell me about these pictures?
– I wonder what these pictures have to do with today’s story?
Just listen. This is not a time to quiz children on what they may or may not recall about the lesson, but to be quietly present as they share their own experience. This will be different for each child—one may retell much of the presentation, another recall a single moment that had meaning, and yet another talk about his or her own creative response. Again, your role is not to correct or supplement what your child tells you, but simply to listen in a supportive way. You are supporting the formation of young—sometimes very young—theologians.
Then, if you wish, you can read with (or to) your child the condensed version of today’s presentation offered below.
Whether you read the lesson or simply listen as your child shares what was received in today’s lesson, ask the Wondering questions printed in the left column. Remember, there are many right answers! Be open to what the presentation can mean to you and your child. God will teach you new meanings every day. Conclude by sitting quietly for a moment and then saying “Amen”
The Presentation
In the beginning there was…nothing. Then, on the very first day, God gave us the gift of light. So now there is not just darkness, but there is light and dark. When God saw the light, God said, “It is good.” And that was the end of the first day.
On the second day, God gave us the gift of water. God gave us the gift of all the water that is water. This is the water that all the rest of the water comes from. God put the firmament between the waters above and the waters below, to separate them. When God saw the water, God said, “It is good.” And that was the end of the second day.
On the third day, God gave us the gift of the dry land. God divided the water and the dry land, and gave us the gift of green and growing things. When God saw the dry land and the green and growing things, God said, “It is good.” And that was the end of the third day.
On the fourth day God gave us the gift of the day and the night. God gave us a great light that rules the day—the sun—and the lights that rule the night—the moon and the stars. When God saw the day and the night, our way to keep time, God said, “It is good.” And that was the end of the fourth day.
On the fifth day God gave us the gift of all the creatures that fly in the air and all of the creatures that swim in the water. When God saw all of the creatures that fly and swim, God said, “It is good.” And that was the end of the fifth day.
On the sixth day God gave us the gift of all the creatures that walk upon the earth: the creatures that walk with two legs, like you and like me, and all the creatures that walk with many legs. When God saw the creatures, God said, “It is very good,” and that was the end of the sixth day.
On the seventh day God rested and gave us the gift of a day to rest—and to remember the great gifts of all the other days.
WONDERING QUESTIONS:
I wonder which one of these days you like best?
I wonder which day if the most important?
I wonder if we can leave out any one of these days and still have all we need?
I wonder you like to go to enjoy the gifts of creation?
WHY GODLY PLAY?
In Parent Page, we offer information about Godly Play both its methodology and purpose. Godly Play is a discovery method of teaching which engages the whole child— hands, heart, mind, senses and intuition. It is also about building a community with respect for children’s natural spirituality.
The children are invited to enter the story, wonder about it and then create meaning for their own lives.
Godly Play teachers focus their attention on entering deeply into that week’s story and responding with complete presence to the community of children who gather.
Often children use art as an expressive response to what is individually thought and felt.
Outdoors, we have time to wonder in creation and enjoy a feast of our senses!
© 2014 By Jerome Berryman.(Adapted) Published by Morehouse Education Resources, a division of Church Publishing Incorporated. www.churchpublishing.org. All rights reserved.
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