FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK Onestorage.cloversites.com/matthewroadbapitstchurch...wide rebellion against God...

FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK One

God. He is before everything. God did not remain silent. He desired to

make Himself known. Therefore, He created. He put Himself on display.

He would later reveal Himself to us again—in His Son Jesus—as a

display of grace, love and kindness to us, His created children.

FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK One

Written by: Kimberly Davidson & Steve Wright

Graphic Design by: Michele Castillo | www.sonscapecommunications.com

Art Design by: Amy Torcasso

Editor: Jennifer Sharpe

Music: Daniel Renstrom

Website: http://www.treasuringchristonline.org | 919-326-3000 | Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2011 by Providence Baptist Church. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any

means for profit via electronic, mechanical, recording or any other – except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Dear Sunday School Teacher,

Your ministry as a teacher for our Lord has eternal value! When we view our ministry in light of

eternity, we see its importance and the privilege that God has entrusted to us. In Psalm 78, the

Bible also reminds us of this great calling: “One generation commending the Gospel to the next.”

Treasuring Christ Curriculum: The ministry resource that you hold in your hand is produced

and shaped by the local church—“The Bride of Christ.” We have three primary strategies that

guide us. First, we desire to produce a Gospel-centered curriculum that allows every child, babies to

high school students, to study the same Scripture passage each week. Second, we seek to equip

parents to thrive in their God-given role as their child’s primary discipler. We want this resource,

therefore, to connect the church and the home by providing the Connecting Church and Home

resource within the curriculum. Third, we want to respond to the

desperate need for curriculum resources around the world. We

desire to bless the nations with a tool that will help them reach

the world with the Gospel of Christ.

Quarter One: God on Display

Every relationship begins with an introduction. God introducing Himself to us is the heartbeat of

this study.

God on Display is a major theme that runs throughout all of Scripture. God’s desire to have com-

munion with those He created is seen from cover to cover of the Bible. In the first few pages, we see

God communing in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. The theme of communion continues

to be seen through the role of the Old Testament tabernacle and temple. In the New Testament,

God became incarnate in Jesus, God with us. After Jesus, the Father gives the Holy Spirit to believers

and institutes the Church. Fellowship in the Church breeds community, both with God and others

made in His likeness. As believers, we are guaranteed that we will spend eternity in communion

with God, dwelling in His presence.

God is on display: everywhere; in the past, present and future; and in our lives as believers. Let us

live continually to display God’s greatness and love.

OVERVIEW 4

FOR YOuR EdIFICaTIOn 5-10

EaRlY ChIldhOOd 11-14

ElEmEnTaRY 15-18

PRE-TEEn/mIddlE sChOOl 19-23

hIgh sChOOl 24-29

COnnECTIng ChuRCh and hOmE 30

REsOuRCEs 31-33

It’s All About God

QuaRTeR Theme | God on dIsplAy Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 19:1-6

W E E K O N E

OVERVIEW

EaRlY ChIldhOOd

ElEmEnTaRY PRE-TEEn/mIddlE sChOOl

hIgh sChOOl

Treasure Verse Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2 Psalm 90:2

Treasure PointGod tells us about

Himself. God tells us about Himself through

creation.

God tells us about Himself through His

good creation.

God tells us about Himself through His

good creation.

Teaching Activities

Parent pictures, Fish Match coloring page, Object circle,

Bible coloring page, What Did God Create

resource page, Ball game, Song time

Ping pong world, Candy hold (optional),

Hide-and-seek, Object find, Treasure Verse run, Song time,

Balloon stomp

Get to know you, Goldfish, Missionary

note cards

Get to know you, Creation video, Creation movie trailer, Sistine

Chapel creation photos, Media influ-ence, Note writing

Supplies Needed

Paper, markers, rayons, Fish Match

coloring page, small objects, Bible color-ing page, What Did

God Create resource page, ball, CD and

CD player

Ping pong balls, markers, small candy

(optional), objects from classroom, index cards, pen, tape, CD and CD player, balloons,

string, slips of paper

Index cards, goldfish or other small pet,

note cards, pens and pencils

Note cards, pencils, laptop or Internet

connection, Sistine Chapel creation

photos

It’s All About GodGenesis 1:1-2; Psalm 19:1-6

FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK One | God on dIsplAy 4OVeRVIeW

FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK One | God on dIsplAy 5


FOR YOuR EdIFICaTIOn

Enter the story

Have you ever been to an art exhibit opening?

A store grand opening? A groundbreaking cer-

emony? With these special events, businesses of-

ten attempt to “WOW” the public by what or who

they are. At art exhibit openings, crowds eagerly

anticipate the revealing of a new piece of art.

People wait for hours in line for a novel product

or for a ceremony to open a new store.

This excitement about the reveal or display

is a little bit of the wonder we see in God’s

act of creation. In the beginning, there was

nothing. God was poised, ready to make

something grand and wonderful out of nothing.

He was ready to drop the sheet, cut the

ribbon, or shovel dirt to display His greatness to

the world He would soon create. It was perfect.

He was blessing us with what He was making.

All of it was good.

The writer C. S. Lewis once asked the ques-

tion, “How does a play originate? Does it write

itself? Do the actors make it up as they go along?

Or is there someone—not on the stage, not like

the people on stage—someone we don’t see—

who invented it all and caused it be? This is

rarely asked or answered.” We are a part of His

grand narrative. God displays Himself to us daily.

May the display of God’s great faithfulness,

provision, creative abilities and His salvation

take deep root in your life as you run hard to

treasure Christ.

“[Genesis] establishes God

as the sole creator, sustainer and judge of all per-

sons. . . It expresses the roots and results of world-

wide rebellion against God and Israel’s place in

the remedy for that rebellion. Standing serenely

above all these vital, defining ideas though, is the

book’s portrayal of one God who alone creates and

rules all that has been created.” – Paul House, Old

Testament Theology, pg. 58

“Creation, preservation, and government of the universe; which is before our

eyes as a most elegant book, wherein all creatures,

great and small, are as so many characters leading

us to see clearly the invisible things of God, even

His everlasting power and divinity.” – The Belgic

Confession

For your EdIFIcAtIon



gOd Is gOd. There is no discussion in Gene-

sis 1 about who God is. The authoritative Word

of God begins with a declarative statement: In

the beginning, God. There are no other gods

out there to dialogue with God. God doesn’t

have to runthis statement by other deities be-

cause there is no one (1 Corinthians 8:5-6). It is

not up for debate or discussion. Elohim is the

Hebrew term used in Genesis 1:1 for God. It is

plural (which gives first glance into the truth

that God is in relation to the rest of the Trin-

ity—the Son and the Holy Spirit). There are no

little gods; God is God alone.

Isaiah 45:18: “For thus says theLord, who created the heavens (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it (He established it; He did not create it empty, He formed it to be inhabited!):‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’”

“God is by definition self-sufficient in the sense that this One cannot be dependent upon any other being, since all things have their beginning and end in this One.” – Thomas Oden, The Living God, pg. 54

gOd REVEals hImsElF. God could have

chosen many other facts to tell the world

about Himself. He chose to start with Creator.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens

and the earth” was a general revelation for

the entire world (how God made Himself

known to all mankind). All that He created

reveals His glory.

Romans 1:19-20: “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

“God was known ever since the world came into existence. The invis-ible things of God could be seen at all times.” – Martin Luther, Romans, pg. 43

gOd Is a gOOd CREaTOR. God is good,

and everything He does is good. This theme is

present from the very beginning and contin-

ues throughout the Bible.

Psalm 73:1: “Truly God is good to Israel, to

those who are pure in heart.”

Psalm 109:21: “But you, O GOD my Lord,

deal on my behalf for your name’s sake;

because your steadfast love is good,

deliver me!”

Psalm 52:1: “Why do you boast of evil,

O mighty man? The steadfast love of God

endures all the day.”

Gospel Truths About God


The Bible is one story with many characters. This lesson focuses on introducing God as the Lead

Character. In future lessons, we will see man created and brought in to His story. God was complete

in and of Himself, lacking nothing. God the Father created with man in mind and redemption as the

end goal for the praise of Himself.

Redemption, the main theme in this story, will also be introduced in coming weeks. God knew this

redemption, the rescuing of man, would need to happen. In Acts 2:23, the Bible tells us “this Jesus,

delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by

the hands of lawless men.”



“At the conclusion of creation, Moses declares that God approved of everything that He had made . . . The repetition denotes how wanton is the foolish contempt of man, otherwise it would have been enough to have said, once for all, that God approved of His deeds . . . But now, after the workmanship of the world was complete and had received, if I may say so, the last finishing touch, God pronounces it perfectly good, that we might know there is in the sym-metry of God’s deeds the highest perfection, to which nothing can be added.” – John Calvin, Genesis, pg. 28

Gospel Truths About Man

Gospel Truths About Redemption




For Your Edification (continued)

• Genesis 1:1-2

• Deuteronomy 6:4

• Psalm 19:1-6

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

• Isaiah 43:8-13

• Acts 17:24-28

• Romans 10:14-21

• Ephesians 3:14-21

• Colossians 3:17

• James 1:16-18

The Living God by Thomas Oden

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe by Mark Driscoll

genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning, God createdthe heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hover-ing over the face of the waters.”

deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

Psalm 19:1-6: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man. I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before Him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.”

Isaiah 43:8-13: “Bring out the people whoare blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, It is true. ‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor


shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I am God. Also henceforth I am He; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?’”

acts 17:24-28: “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being.”

Romans 10:14-21: “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’ But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, ‘I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.’ Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, ‘I have been found by

those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.’ But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.’”

Ephesians 3:14-21: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glo-ry He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being root-ed and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that sur-passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abudantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through-out all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

James 1:16-18: “Do not be deceived, mybeloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”




God. He is before everything. God did not remain silent. He

desired to make Himself known. Therefore, He created. He put

Himself on display. He would later reveal Himself to us again—

in His Son Jesus—as a display of grace, love and kindness to us,

His created children.

My Mission As Teacher:

• How does reading and studying this lesson re-prioritize your life? Shouldn’t the knowledge

that God is first and greatest spur us on to live a God-focused life? Shouldn’t the idea that

God loved us first encourage us to love Him in return?

• As humans, we are prone to grumble and complain, even about the things that God has

given us. How can we more clearly see the goodness of God and live with gratitude and

thanksgiving?

Prayer Points:

• God gives us good things to enjoy and He displays Himself to us in providing us with these

good things. As you are reminded of this truth, pray that the Spirit would give you a grateful

heart for the good things God has given you.

• Pray that your students would be overwhelmed this week with God’s extravagant goodness

in their lives.




Treasure story: Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 19:1-6

Treasure Verse: “From everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).

Treasure Point: God tells us about Himself.



Early Childhood

engage

Early arrival activity: (10-15 minutes or until most of the children arrive)

Have the children draw pictures of their parents (remember that not all of your children will come

from two-parent homes). During this activity and throughout the class, you can talk about how their

parents existed before them, before they were born. God was before anybody was born. He was first.

He always has been.

Supplies Needed: Paper, markers, crayons

discoverBible story Time: (15 minutes)

Teacher Note: We learn about three characteristics of God in this Treasure Story (Genesis 1:1-2 and

Psalm 19:1-6). Read the Treasure Story verses from your Bible and the other verses included as you

teach these characteristics of God to the children.

God is GodThere is only one God. God is only God, and there is no other god in this world.

Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

EArly cHIldHood

Younger Children Option: Instruct the children to work on the Fish Match coloring page (see resources).

While they are completing the coloring page, point out objects in the room or in the world that

are “one”: one door, one window, one sun, one moon, one “you,” etc. Hold up the objects if you can,

let them touch them, and help them understand that these objects are real.

Supplies Needed: Fish Match coloring page, crayons

Older Children Option: Give each child an object from the room (make sure the objects are all

different). Seat everyone in a circle and have the children hold their object in front of them. Instruct

them to describe one thing about their object to the rest of the group. In between each child’s

verbal description, you as the teacher can say something about the uniqueness of both the child

and the object. Example: Sally has the only blue crayon in the group. There is only one Sally, and

there is only one blue crayon in our group.

Supplies Needed: Small objects

God tells us about HimselfPsalm 19:1-2 tells us that the sky reveals the very God-ness of God. It reveals His glory. When it is

daylight, the sun tells us about God (Psalm 19:4-6). Ask the students what they can learn about God

from the sun (constant, bright, helps us see, gives us warmth, etc.). The Bible even says that the night

tells us about God. The moon gives us light when it is dark. Everything about creation was made so

that it tells us about God. What can you learn about God from the things around you?

Younger Children Option: Pass out copies of the Bible coloring page (see resources). Explain to them

that God displays Himself to us. One way is that He created everything we see (Psalm 19:1) and

another is through the Bible, God’s Word.

Supplies Needed: Bible coloring page, crayons



“Glory: a way to describe the importance and shining majesty of God.” – Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary for Kids, pg. 70

EArly cHIldHood

Older Children Option: Pass out the What Did God Create resource page to each child. Have them circle the items that God created. Talk about the difference between God creating (from noth-ing, didn’t need anything) and the things that humans make (we need materials and technology). See if they can name anything that is not on the paper.

Supplies Needed: What Did God Create resource page, pencils

God is GoodAll He made is good. The first chapter in Genesis describes how all that God made was good.

Convey to the children that all things (point to items around the room) are good, and God made

them for our good.

Roll-the-Ball Thank You activity: (5 minutes)

Have the children sit down in a circle on the floor. Instruct them that God made all things for their

good, and they need to be thankful for them. Start with a ball in your hand. Say one thing you

are thankful for. Then roll it to another person and have him say what he is thankful for.

For younger children, you may just roll the ball to them and ask them to say their name and then

fill in this phrase, “I am thankful for __________.” Then they pass it to the next person until every-

one has had a chance.

Supplies Needed: Ball

Treasure Verse learning activity: (5 minutes)

Have the children line up and then form a circle. They all need to have their hands on the

shoulders of the person in front of them. Tell them not to let go of the person’s shoulders.

Repeat the verse to them as they slowly march in a circle. Have them repeat it to you once they

memorize the verse. Share with them that just as no one can tell where this circle begins or ends,

God has no beginning or end either. Keep repeating the verse.



“We are dependent completely on God’s kindness

and goodness to make Himself known to us, and for this we ought to be grateful every day of our lives. After all, there is no one more important and more wonderful to know than God. So how thankful we must be that God did not keep to Himself, as it were. Rather, He showed us in rich and wonderful ways just who He is.” – Bruce Ware, Big Truths for Young Hearts, pg. 18

EArly cHIldHood

song Time: (10 minutes)

“Love, Love, Love” is this quarter’s theme song. This song can be found on the Treasuring Christ website: www.treasuringchristonline.org.

Supplies Needed: CD player, CD

Playground Time: (15 minutes)

Center play or free play is an effective use of time if there is no playground available or if the weather is not conductive to playing outside.

snack Time: (10 minutes)

treasureTreasure Point: God tells us about Himself.

My Mission: (2 minutes)

Share with the children that they can be like God by doing good things for other people. The Bible tells us to be like God. Ask the older children how they can be good this week. What are some things they can do this week for them to be like God (obey their parents, share their toys, be nice to their siblings, help around the house, etc.)?

Prayer Time: (5 minutes)

Pray aloud for the children. As you pray, express gratefulness for all the ways God is good to us. Thank God for how He shows Himself to us in the things that He has given us. If you work with older chil-dren, have them say their own prayers, encouraging them to think about how God is good to them.



EArly cHIldHood

Elementary

engageEarly arrival activity: (10-15 minutes or until all the children arrive)

Have children color ping pong balls to look like the world. Give them markers and encourage them to

be creative. These balls will be used later. As children finish their world ping pong balls, set them aside

to dry. Make sure they include their names on the balls, so they can find them later.

Optional Activity: If ping pong balls are not an option for you, you can alter this activity. Purchase small

pieces of loose candy (preferably round) that the children can hold in their hands. Explain the idea

that God holds the entire world in His hands, and He won’t let it go. (Here’s the best part—the children

can then eat the candy after the demonstration is over.)

Supplies Needed: Ping pong balls, markers or small unwrapped candy


Treasure Verse: “From everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).

Treasure Point: God tells us about Himself through creation.



Isaiah 40:11-12: “He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?”

ElEMEntAry ElEMEntAry

discover Bible story Time: (15 minutes)

Teacher Note: We learn about three characteristics of God in this Treasure Story (Genesis 1:1-2

and Psalm 19:1-6). Read the Treasure Story verses from your Bible and the other verses in-

cluded as you teach these characteristics of God to the children.

Introduction activity: (10-15 minutes)

Younger Children Option: Take a field trip to another large room in the church or outside. If

these options are not available, stay in the classroom. Play a few rounds of hide-and-seek.

Explain to the children that God doesn’t hide Himself from us. Instead, He shows us Himself

through creation, everything we see, the skies, the sun, etc.

Older Children Option: Give the students an object to hide (these can be items from your

classroom). Then take turns asking other children to find the objects. Explain to the chil-

dren that God doesn’t hide Himself from us. Instead, He shows us Himself through creation,

the world.

Supplies Needed: Small objects

God is God There is only one God. God is only God, and there is no other god in this world.



Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

ElEMEntAry

God tells us about HimselfPsalm 19:1-2 tells us that the sky reveals the very God-ness of God. It reveals His glory. When it is

daylight, the sun tells us about God (Psalm 19:4-6). Ask the students what they can learn about

God from the sun (constant, bright, helps us see, gives us warmth, purifying, scorching heat, etc.).

The Bible even says that the night tells us about God. The moon gives us light when it is dark.

Everything about creation was made so that it tells us about God. What can you learn about God

from the things around you?

God is GoodAll He made is good. Many times in the first chapter of God’s Word, the Bible, it says that God

saw all that He made and it was good. Ask the students what it means to be good. In Psalm 19:4,

we learn more about the day and night. Share the following with the children: “Did you know that

everywhere on the earth right now it is either day or night? That’s right. So, everywhere on the earth

people can be learning things about God right now.”

Instruct the children to get their world ping pong balls. Have them hold it in the palm of one hand

and then enclose their fingers around the ball. They are in total control of the ping pong ball. It is not

going anywhere unless the child allows it to go somewhere (if the child drops it, crushes it, breaks it,

etc.). Explain to them how God holds the entire world—even things we can’t see—in His hand. We

are safe because God is a good God.

Treasure Verse learning activity: (5 minutes)

Write out each word of the verse on index cards and tape them up around the room. Ask the chil-

dren to retrieve the cards and put them in order. Then encourage the children to say the verse aloud.

Repeat this activity. See how fast they can complete it. This will be a fun activity that will keep the

children moving and learning.

Supplies Needed: Index cards, pen, tape



“Glory: a way to describe the importance and shining majesty of God.” – Holman Illustrated Bible

Dictionary for Kids, pg. 70

ElEMEntAry

Playground Time/Center activities/Free Play: (15 minutes)

song Time: (10 minutes)

“Love, Love, Love” is this quarter’s theme song. This song can be found on the Treasuring Christ website: www.treasuringchristonline.org.

Supplies Needed: CD player, CD

Closing activity: (5 minutes)

Balloon Stomp: Before class, write down things that God created on little pieces of paper. Put one slip of paper inside each balloon. Blow up the balloons and tie a long string on the end. These strings need to be tied around the child’s ankle with about 9-12 inches left for the balloon to be attached. At the start of the game, tie one balloon to each child’s ankle. The object of the game is to pop another child’s balloon and find out what God created. Have them call out what is written on their piece of paper.

Supplies Needed: Balloons, string, small strips of paper

treasureTreasure Point: God tells us about Himself through creation.


Encourage the students to talk about ways they can be like God. For example, they can be kind to their siblings and obedient to their parents, teachers and other authority figures. Invite them to think of one easy activity they can do during the week to show the goodness of God to others. Suggestions include doing a chore for their brother or sister, taking a flower to an elderly neighbor or sharing their dessert at lunch with another student who may not have a friend.


Lead this time of prayer for your students. Encourage them to say aloud what they are thankful for in their lives. Thank God for being the only God who loves them, keeps them, talks with them and gives them good things.


FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK One | God on dIsplAy 18ElEMEntAry



Pre-Teen/middle school

engagegroup Fellowship Time: (10 minutes)

Pass out cards (post-it notes, 3 x 5 cards, pieces of paper, etc.) with these three questions written on

them. Ask the students to answer the questions and then share their answers with their classmates:

• Whatisonethingyouaremostpassionateaboutinlife?

• Whatisyourfavoritethingyouenjoyaboutcreation?

• Nameonethingyouhaveneverdonebeforebutwouldliketotry.

Supplies Needed: Note cards, pens

Opening activity: (10 minutes)

Bring in at least one live goldfish. Buy one at a pet store (some larger/super stores sell fish) and

bring it to class in a clear plastic bag. Pass around the goldfish (in its container). Ask for names

for the goldfish (encourage laughter as the students may suggest silly names). Instruct the

students to name things that they can discern about it. Talk about how that goldfish is

dependent on its owner to allow it to live. If it doesn’t get food, it dies. If the water isn’t clean, it dies.

Invite them to think about what it feels like to be in charge of a goldfish.

“God is God apart from us, in that Hepossesses within His own life the fullness of all that is good and perfect.” – Bruce Ware, Big Truths for Young Hearts, pg. 25


Treasure Verse: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formedthe earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).

Treasure Point: God tells us about Himself through His good creation.

prE-tEEn/MIddlE scHool prE-tEEn/MIddlE scHool

Teacher Note: The concept for middle school students to understand with this activity should

be responsibility, not power. You do not want to confuse the students with power versus author-

ity and responsibility. God made us too. God has authority over all He created—the plants, trees,

sun, moon and oceans. Only He does because He is God the Creator. And He is the only God.

Supplies Needed: Goldfish (or other small pet)

Teacher Note: If a goldfish does not translate well with your culture/city/teens, then any pet

will work. Convey the truth about the daily reliance of pets on their owners. An owner has total

control over a pet’s life.

Random Facts About Goldfish:Goldfish are only messy if they eat too much. They don’t have a stomach.

Goldfish can tan just like humans can.

Goldfish can live up to approximately 45 years.

Goldfish can be taught tricks. (What tricks would you teach your goldfish?)

Goldfish don’t blink. (Don’t try to have a staring contest with one. You will lose.)

discoverBible story: (30 minutes)

Teacher Note: The verses with the Treasure Story will be your primary passages when

discussing how God displays His greatness to us. The other passages listed will help the

students see how the theme of God displaying His greatness to us is continued throughout all

the Bible.

Divide the students into three groups. Each group will have a different aspect of God to

discuss. Then the groups will share their findings with the rest of the class.


FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK One | God on dIsplAy 20prE-tEEn/MIddlE scHool

God is tHe GodThere is only God in the universe. There is not a question of His supreme oneness in the world.

Many religions are practiced in the world. You may see many people following other reli-

gions in your neighborhood or school. Maybe some of your friends and the people you see in

the news practice different religions. Maybe they don’t see God as the only God to serve and

love. These passages show how God displayed this truth—God is THE God—for us in His Word:

genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Exodus 3:13-16: “Then Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to them,

‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ What shall I

say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel,

‘I AM has sent me to you.’ God also said to Moses, ‘Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord,

the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,

has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all

generations.’”

Psalm 86:8-10: “There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like

yours. All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall

glorify your name. For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.”

Psalm 50:1: “The Mighty One, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the

rising of the sun to its setting.”

God reveals HimselfOne primary way that God displays Himself for us is by creation. We see the sun, moon, oceans,

stars, grass, insects—all these things teach us about God. God did not have to create anything but

instead He chose to show us Himself by creation.

Psalm 19:1-6: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no

speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the

earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its

warmth.”



Psalm 8: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory

above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength

because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work

of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are

mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower

than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him domin-

ion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and

also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes

along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

John 1:14, 18: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory,

glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God; the

only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known.”

Isaiah 44:23-24: “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break

forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed

Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from

the womb: I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who

spread out the earth by myself.”

God is Good

All that God does is good, and He created all things for our good and His glory. Discuss with your

students how God portrays Himself as good in these verses.

genesis 1:31a: “And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”

Titus 3:4-7: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He

saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by

the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly

through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs ac-

cording to the hope of eternal life.”

Psalm 86:5-7: “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who

call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble

I call upon you, for you answer me.”

Psalm 31:19-21a: “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those

who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of man-

kind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in

your shelter from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for He has wondrously shown His

steadfast love to me.”



treasure Treasure Point: God tells us about Himself through His good creation.


Contact a pastor in your church or a missions organization to get information about a family

serving overseas. Obtain some biographical information on the family members as well as

some data on the country/state/region where they are serving. Have each student write a short

note to the missionaries. This activity will teach students about missions and will also be an

encouragement to the Body of Christ throughout the world.

Supplies Needed: Note cards or paper, pen/pencils


Have a group prayer time that focuses on gratefulness. Encourage the students to show

adoration to our Father for who He is and what He has done for us. This prayer time will reinforce

what they have learned today: God is a good God.

Teacher Note: Sometimes people find it easier to pray aloud with a group if they write down

their prayers before praying. Invite the students to try this if they feel shy or nervous about

praying aloud.



Psalm 52:8b-9a: “I trust in the steadfast love

of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever.”

prE-tEEn/MIddlE scHool

high school

engagegroup Fellowship Time: (10 minutes)

As students enter, hand them note cards or pieces of paper with these three questions written on

them. Their mission is to interview one other student and find out the answers. At the end, have

the students share their answers with the class.

• Whatwasthemostamazingthingyouhavedoneinthepastyear?

• Doyouhaveonegoalthenextmonth?Ifso,whatisit?

• Whatisyourfavoriteafter-schoolactivity?

Supplies Needed: Note cards, pens


Treasure Verse: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).

Treasure Point: God tells us about Himself through His good creation.



“The Bible teaches that God is both infinite and personal:He is infinite in that He is not subject to any of the limitations of humanity, or of creation in general. He is far greater than everything He has made, far greater than anything else that exists. But He is also personal: He interacts with us as a person, and we can relate to Him as persons. We can pray to Him, worship Him, obey Him, and love Him, and He can speak to us, rejoice in us, and love us.” – Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrines, pg. 75

HIGH scHool

Introduction activity: (15 minutes)

Begin the class by showing these two video clips if you have Internet access:

– (3 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frz43ncf-R8&feature=related

– (2 minutes) http://creationthemovie.com/trailer (from the movie Creation that is about the life of Charles

Darwin)

Teacher Note: Showing this movie trailer will engage your students in the discussion that will

follow these clips. If any of your students have seen the movie, they can bring key thoughts to

the discussion. You may have the DVD of the movie and want to bring it to the class.

Supplies Needed: Laptop with DVD player

discussion Questions:

Whyisthestudyofcreationvs.evolutionvs.BigBangTheorysoimportant?Whathaveyouheard?

Share these quotes with the students to spark discussion (all were said by Charles Darwin,

the father of the modern evolution theory):

“To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different

distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and

chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess,

absurd in the highest degree.”

“I cannot persuade myself that a beneficent and omnipotent God would have designedly

created parasitic wasps with the express intention of their feeding within the living bodies

of Caterpillars.”

“The universe we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom,

no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference.”

“I was a young man with uninformed ideas. I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the

time over everything; and to my astonishment the ideas took like wildfire. People made a religion

of them.”

“Atsomefutureperiod,notverydistantasmeasuredbycenturies,thecivilizedracesofmanwillalmost

certainly exterminate, and replace the savage races throughout the world.”


FIRST QuaRTeR, WeeK One | God on dIsplAy 25HIGH scHool

discover Bible story: (30 minutes)

Teacher Note: Genesis 1:1-2 and Psalm 19:1-6 can be effective teaching tools as to the char-

acter and nature of God. Read the Treasure Story verses aloud to start the discussion. In order

to promote thought and personal study by each of the students, break the students up into

three groups and have them present what the following verses reveal to us about God to the

class as a whole.

group 1

God is tHe only God

genesis 1:1

Exodus 3:13-16: “Then Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to

them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’

What shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Say this to the

people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ God also said to Moses, ‘Say this to the people

of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the

God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remem-

bered throughout all generations.’”

deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

Exodus 20:2-4: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out

of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for

yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in

the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

“If only one God exists, then that God must be responsible for every creative act. Every

created entity derives its existence, its name, its function, its basic ‘good’ nature, its

limitations, and its sustenance from the one Creator.” – Paul House, Old Testament

Theology, pg. 60



group 2

God reveals Himself to usPsalm 19:1-3

genesis 1:1-2: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without

form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over

the face of the waters.”

Romans 1:18-25: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and

unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be

known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes,

namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the cre-

ation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although

they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in

their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and

exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds

and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to

impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth

about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed

forever! Amen.”

John 1:1-3,14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was

God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was

not any thing made that was made. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have

seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” God revealed Him-

self through Jesus who was in the beginning at creation.

group 3

God is a Good God genesis 1:31a

James 1:16-18: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift

is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow

due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind

of firstfruits of his creatures.”

Psalm 103:1-8: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless

the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals

all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love

and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.



It’s All About God.Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 19:1-6

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways

to Moses, His acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and

abounding in steadfast love.” These show kindness, grace, strength, goodness, and power to

relieving oppression.

discussion/Illustrations: naturalism and Christian Theism

Definitions and Quotes: Put these quotes and definitions on the wall or pass them out to the stu-

dents. Ask students how these quotes are “lived out” in the culture, movies, books, the church,

among friends and in their families. How has what we have just learned from the Bible applicable

to the following discussions?

Naturalism: the doctrine that scientific laws are adequate to account for all phenomena

Christian Theism: emphasizes its uniqueness in that the main thrust of the faith is primarily a

person, and not an idea or belief system. Jesus Christ—who He is and what He has done for us—

is central to Christian theism, and to emphasize any other aspect is a misrepresentation of its

essence. This central role of the person of Jesus Christ is the most distinguishing aspect of Christian the-

ism, setting it apart from any other world religion.

You can use creation panels from the Sistine Chapel as seen at this website (hang these pictures in

your room for discussion on how creation is interpreted in art and culture):

http://www.lewisdt.com/epistemology/theism.html

Teacher Note: The Sistine Chapel creation panels can be used as decoration or brought into the

discussion if you have time for it.

Discuss movies, television shows or other media options that are current to your students. The point

is getting your students to actively engage a biblical worldview when participating in culture. This

will look different for each student, region and country. Help your students think biblically about

what they see on television or in the movies.



“In light of this, those of us who are Christians(1) are obliged to watch movies with wisdom and discernment, being aware of the messages and moods conveyed on film; (2) recognize the power of movies as both reflections and shapers of our socio-cultural context; and (3) recognize that movies often provide an opportunity for us to discuss with others the hope that is within us.”– Dr. Bruce Ashford

HIGH scHool

It’s All About God.Genesis 1:1-2; Psalm 19:1-6


“A grumbling spirit is sinful, because it fails to recognize God’s goodness and kindness in providing for us every good thing in life that we enjoy.” – Dr. Bruce Ware, Big Truths for Young Hearts, pg. 69

treasure Treasure Point: God tells us about Himself through His good creation.


• How can you be intentional about showing the love of God to the world this week? One way

the class can show God’s love right now is by sending out cards to those who aren’t here.

Teacher Note: Check the class roll and have the students write short notes to these absent

classmates.

• How can you worship God in His creation as you go outdoors this week?


If God truly created everything for our good and for His glory, then our lives should reflect this

in praise and adoration. Guide the students’ prayer time with these three prayer points:

• Praise God for how He speaks. Thank Him for His Word, creation and the Holy Spirit.

• Praise God for whom He gives us. Thank Him for relationships with our friends, families,

teachers, etc.

• Praise God for what He gives us. Thank Him for material possessions and ask Him for

wisdom in using them for His glory and not just for our enjoyment.


HIGH scHool


connecting church and home

“How foolish we are when we forget to read and study this book [the Bible]. But how wise and blessed we are when we go to this book constantly for instruction, guidance, correction, and help with living life as God wants.” – Dr. Bruce Ware, Big Truths for Young Hearts, pg. 23


How has God revealed Himself to us in the past? How does God reveal Himself to us currently? God

revealed Himself to mankind through creation; through the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son;

through the Bible; through the Holy Spirit; miraculous deeds; the parting of the Red Sea and raising Laza-

rus from the dead. He even revealed His might through plagues, floods and in many, many other ways.

connectThis coming Sunday your child(ren) will be studying how God revealed Himself to man through the

act of creation. To help prepare your child, read Romans 1:20 from your Bible. The emphasis will be on

God revealing Himself vs. the actual creation. Creation itself is not the reality of Genesis 1. What is of

utmost important is that your children would begin to learn that a loving God would choose to reveal

Himself to them in such an extravagant way. In Romans 1:20, the glory of God is revealed, clearly seen,

and understood through the act of creation so that man has no excuse.

Share with your child that your family will be learning at church this Sunday some of the many ways

that God has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind through the creation

Treasure Verse: “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the

world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90:2).

connEctInG cHurcH And HoME

trEAsurInG cHrIst currIculuM | www.treasuringchristonline.orgrEsourcEs: FIsH MAtcH colorInG pAGE | Early childhood

trEAsurInG cHrIst currIculuM | www.treasuringchristonline.org trEAsurInG cHrIst currIculuM | www.treasuringchristonline.orgrEsourcEs: BIBlE colorInG pAGE | Early childhood

trEAsurInG cHrIst currIculuM | www.treasuringchristonline.orgrEsourcEs: wHAt dId God crEAtE? | Early childhood

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