The story of Scripture begins where we would expect, with creation. And that makes complete sense. Creation is the logical place to begin telling God’s story because it is where we stepped into the story—or more correctly, where God brought us into His story. But there is another reason why this is not just the logical place to begin the Bible, but the fitting place, because how we understand creation is essential to how we understand the rest of Scripture. Now, don’t hear what I’m not saying. I’m not talking about how long God created. The essential aspect of creation doesn’t concern what “day” means in Genesis 1. There is ample room at the gospel table for those who believe in a literal 24-hour day and those who hold to a longer process of creation. Young Earthers and Old Earthers can, and should, sit side-by-side at the table, united as brothers and sisters in Christ. Now, that’s not to say what “day” means in Genesis 1 is trivial or unimportant, but it should not divide us and it is not the critical aspect of creation I have in mind. So what am I talking about? Creation ex nihilo.

The Bible and Creation

The Bible teaches that God created everything from nothing, which is what the Latin phrase creation ex nihilo means. Everything, apart from God Himself, is God’s creation. And this is the key idea we need to embrace in Genesis 1-2 that will impact our understanding of the rest of Scripture. Here’s why. When we understand that God is Creator of everything, we can trust that He knows best how what He created works. All of it. Including us. Our good, loving God knows what is best for us—even better than we think we know ourselves. This truth—God as perfect, all-knowing Creator—undergirds every single one of His commands and is a truth we need to teach our kids over and over again. Yes, some of God’s commands are challenging. Yes, there are commands we would rather not have to obey. But we can never forget that every single command is good because each is given by the good Creator who knows best.

The One Thing Our Kids Need to Take From the Creation Story

And that takes us to the second reason understanding God as Creator is so vital—because as Creator He has authority over His creation. Because God created everything, including us, He has a right to do with His creation as He pleases. It is not our place to sit in judgment over God, the Creator, as to why He judges sin, why “bad” things happen, or why our unbelieving neighbor has a better house and drives a nicer car than ours. God is not bound to operate according to our desires, only His character and revealed promises. This may seem heady, but as we will see in the weeks, months, and years ahead during our ongoing journey through Scripture, it really is not. This is foundational for what we will see week-in and week-out as God judges sin and yet provides the gracious solution to sin in Jesus Christ. Creator God has not abandoned His creation, a creation which abandoned Him. In His mercy and grace, He is chasing after it.

There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’”— Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) [1]

Preschool Tip: As you lead this session, be sure to emphasize that preschoolers can trust God as Creator. It is important that preschoolers understand that God is powerful and that He is sovereign—big concepts that we are to bring down to their level. But the beauty connecting those two characteristics of God rests in His love and goodness. God is not an all-powerful, sovereign tyrant! He is an all-powerful, sovereign Father. And that is why our preschoolers can trust that all He does is for His glory and their good. Kids Tip: Think of this session like the end destination you enter into your navigation app. If you don’t provide a clear destination, the navigation app simply won’t know what to do—it needs that context. In this session, you will have the opportunity to emphasize that God created everything for His glory. That truth will serve as the North Star for your group as you move forward. All we see God do from this week on bears witness to this truth. And it is critical for your kids to understand why they are here also. You and I and they just drew the breath we took for one and only one reason—so that with it, we might glorify God in how we live. [1] Abraham Kuyper, quoted in Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader, ed. James D. Bratt (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998), 461. https://vimeo.com/279048009