In the beginning: Creation according to the Bible

This lesson introduces basic English vocabulary and phrases inspired by the Creation account in Genesis 1-2, designed for language learners at beginner to intermediate levels. By focusing on simple, essential words like “God,” “creation,” and “day,” and clear sentence structures such as “God created the world,” learners will build confidence in speaking and writing about this foundational biblical narrative.

The lesson incorporates engaging visuals, interactive activities like matching games, and example conversations to make learning accessible and meaningful.

With a focus on cultural sensitivity, the material encourages respectful discussion while helping learners practice pronunciation, grammar, and comprehension. This structured approach, complete with teaching tips and a step-by-step lesson plan, ensures an effective and inclusive (meaning participative) learning experience.

Note: This is a very basic lesson that is focused on speaking rather than being a Bible study. This is to give you a foundational structure for teaching about the Bible while teaching English as a second language. You’ll want to adapt the lesson to the level of your students. In other words, this is not a theological treatise.

The timeline and verses

The account of the days of creation is found in Genesis 1:1-31 and continues into Genesis 2:1-3. Below is a breakdown of the verses corresponding to each day of creation, based on the biblical text (using standard English translations like the KJV, ESV, or NASB):

• Day 1: Creation of light and separation of light from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5).
• Day 2: Creation of the sky and separation of the waters above and below (Genesis 1:6-8).
• Day 3: Creation of dry land, seas, and vegetation (Genesis 1:9-13).
• Day 4: Creation of the sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14-19).
• Day 5: Creation of sea creatures and birds (Genesis 1:20-23).
• Day 6: Creation of land animals and humans (Genesis 1:24-31).
• Day 7: God rested and blessed the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-3).

Each day’s account follows a pattern where God speaks, creates, and declares the creation “good” (except for Day 2, where “good” is not explicitly stated). The text concludes with the seventh day, where God rests, setting apart the Sabbath.

Basic vocabulary

Start with essential words related to the Creation account in Genesis 1-2. These should be simple, commonly used terms that learners can easily understand and apply.

Vocabulary list

• God: The divine being who created everything.
• Creation: The act of making the world and everything in it.
• World: The Earth and all its parts.
• Day: A period of time (e.g., the first day, the second day).
• Light/darkness: The separation of light (day) and darkness (night).
• Sky: The heavens or atmosphere above the Earth.
• Land/sea: The dry ground and bodies of water.
• Animals: Living creatures (e.g., birds, fish, land animals).
• Plants: Living things like trees, grass, and flowers.
• Humans: People, created as man and woman.
• Heaven: The spiritual realm or sky created by God.
• Rest: To stop working and relax (e.g., God rested on the seventh day).
• Good: Something perfect or pleasing, as God described His creation.
• Command: An order given by God (e.g., “Let there be light”).
• Garden: A special place, like the Garden of Eden.
• Sun/moon: The celestial bodies created to govern day and night.
• Stars: The lights in the sky were created on the fourth day.
• Firmament: The expanse or sky separating waters, as described in Genesis.
• Birds: Flying creatures created on the fifth day.
• Fish: Creatures living in the sea, created on the fifth day.
• Adam/Eve: The first man and woman created by God.
• Blessing: God’s favor or approval given to His creation.
• Rivers: Bodies of water in the Garden of Eden.
• Tree: A plant, like the Tree of Knowledge in Eden.
• Image: Humans made in God’s likeness or image.

Teaching tips

• Use visuals like illustrations of the Creation story (e.g., light and darkness, animals, or the Garden of Eden) to connect vocabulary to the narrative.
• Practice pronunciation of terms like “creation” (kree-AY-shun) or “heaven” (HEV-un).
• Create flashcards with words on one side and simple definitions or images on the other for quick recall.

Useful phrases

Teach simple sentence structures for discussing the Creation story in Genesis 1-2. These phrases should be clear, adaptable, and respectful of the topic.

Key phrases

1. Describing the Creation:
   • “God created the [world/sky/animals] on [day].”
   • “In Genesis, God made [light/land/humans].”
   • “The Bible says God created [thing].”
   • “God said, ‘Let there be [light/sky/land].’”
2. Explaining the process:
   • “On the first day, God created [light].”
   • “On the [second/third] day, God made [thing].”
   • “God saw that it was good.”
   • “God rested on the seventh day.”
3. Expressing beliefs or thoughts:
   • “I believe God created the world in [six/seven] days.”
   • “I think the Creation story is [beautiful/important].”
   • “The Garden of Eden was a perfect place.”
   • “God made humans special because [reason].”
4. Asking questions:
   • “What did God create on the [first/second] day?”
   • “Why did God rest on the seventh day?”
   • “What do you think about the Creation story?”
   • “Do you know about the Garden of Eden?”

Teaching tips

• Write phrases on a board or handout and model their use (e.g., “God created the world in six days. I think it’s amazing.”).
• Have learners substitute different elements from Genesis 1-2 (e.g., light, animals, humans) into the phrases.
• Practice question forms to encourage discussion while being sensitive to diverse beliefs.

Example conversations

Provide short, realistic dialogues to model how to talk about God’s Creation in Genesis 1-2. These examples progress from basic to more detailed, keeping the tone respectful and focused on language practice.

Conversation 1: Basic exchange

Anna: Do you know the Creation story in Genesis?
Tom: Yes, God created the world in six days.
Anna: What did He make first?
Tom: He made light on the first day.
Anna: Oh, and was it good?
Tom: Yes, God said it was good!

Conversation 2: Adding details

Sara: What do you know about Genesis 1?
Juan: In Genesis, God created the sky, land, and animals.
Sara: When did He make humans?
Juan: On the sixth day, God made man and woman.
Sara: That’s interesting! Why did He rest?
Juan: He rested on the seventh day because His work was done, and He was establishing the Sabbath.

Conversation 3: More advanced

Mark: Hi, Lisa! Have you read about the Creation in Genesis?
Lisa: Yes, I love it! God created the world, the stars, and the Garden of Eden.
Mark: What’s special about the Garden of Eden?
Lisa: It was a perfect place where humans lived with God.
Mark: Why do you think the Creation story is important?
Lisa: I think it shows God’s power and love for the world.

Teaching tips

• Role-play these dialogues with the learner, switching roles to practice asking and answering.
• Encourage learners to adapt the dialogues using details from Genesis 1-2 or their own thoughts, while respecting their comfort level with the topic.
• In group settings, pair students to practice, prompting them to ask at least one follow-up question.

Teaching strategy

Here’s a step-by-step lesson plan to teach this topic effectively (approximately 45 minutes):

Step 1: Warm-up (5 minutes)

• Ask: “What do you know about the Creation story in the Bible?” or “What’s one thing God made?” to spark interest, while being sensitive to learners’ beliefs.
• Show a picture or short video clip illustrating the Creation (e.g., light and darkness, animals, or the Garden of Eden) to introduce the topic.

Step 2: Vocabulary introduction (10 minutes)

• Present the vocabulary list using visuals or a slideshow of Creation-related images.
• Practice pronunciation, especially for terms like “creation” or “garden.”
• Play a quick game: Say a day (e.g., “first day”), and learners name what God created (e.g., “light”).

Step 3: Phrase practice (10 minutes)

• Display key phrases and model them with your own example (e.g., “God created the animals on the sixth day. It was good.”).
• Have learners practice by filling in the blanks (e.g., “God created ____ on the ____ day.”).
• Correct pronunciation and grammar gently, ensuring clarity and respect for the topic.

Step 4: Conversation practice (15 minutes)

• Read one example conversation aloud, emphasizing natural tone and respectful language.
• Pair learners (or role-play with them) to practice the dialogues, encouraging personalization with details from Genesis 1-2.
• Ask learners to create their own short dialogue about the Creation story.

Step 5: Wrap-up and personalization (5 minutes)

• Have each learner share one or two sentences about the Creation story (e.g., “God created the stars. I think it’s beautiful.”).
• Provide feedback on their use of vocabulary and phrases, keeping the tone positive.
• Assign homework: Write 3-5 sentences about one part of the Creation story or practice a dialogue with a friend.

Additional Tips

• Cultural sensitivity: Be aware that learners may have different beliefs about Creation (e.g., literal days vs. years). Focus on the language goals and allow flexibility for learners to share only what they’re comfortable with. Be careful when debating religious views.
• Visual aids: Use illustrations, videos, or a simple timeline of the seven days of Creation to make the lesson engaging and clear.
• Listening practice: Play a short audio or video clip (e.g., from a Bible app or YouTube resource) of someone summarizing Genesis 1-2 to expose learners to different accents.
• Adapt for level: For beginners, focus on simple phrases (e.g., “God made light.”). For intermediate learners, encourage details (e.g., “God created the Garden of Eden, and it was perfect.”).
• Incorporate technology: If teaching online, share a screen with Creation-related images or use a virtual whiteboard to highlight vocabulary.

Common mistakes to address

• Grammar: Learners may say “God create the world” instead of “God created the world.” Emphasize past tense for the Creation story.
• Pronunciation: Words like “heaven” or “animals” may be mispronounced. Practice these explicitly.
• Word choice: Clarify terms like “world” (everything) vs. “land” (dry ground) to avoid confusion.

Example activity: “Creation day match”

For group classes, try this interactive activity.

• Create cards with days (e.g., “Day 1,” “Day 2”) and what was created (e.g., “light,” “sky”).
• Learners match the day to the creation (e.g., “Day 1” with “light”).
• Alternatively, play a “Find Someone Who” game (e.g., “Find someone who can name what God made on Day 3”).

Homework or follow-up

• Writing: Write a short paragraph (5 sentences) about one day of Creation or the Garden of Eden.
• Speaking: Record a 30-second audio or video describing one part of the Creation story (e.g., what God made on Day 4).
• Research: Look up a picture or video about the Creation story and describe it in 2-3 sentences in English.