Day 5-God Created Birds and Fish

Scripture Reference:
Genesis 1:20-23

Suggested Theme:
God created birds and fish.

Memory Verse: “Then God said, ‘Let the water be filled with living things. And let birds fly in the air above the earth.'” Genesis 1:20, ICB

Story Overview:

God filled the oceans with all sorts of creatures on the fifth day. He also created birds on this day. Not only did He create these creatures, He made them with the ability to reproduce.

How to Teach This Lesson as Part of a Creation Unit or Theme

Background Study:

The stage had been set for an amazing cast of characters to be introduced to Earth. By now the land and the sea are full of all sorts of plant life, big and small. Habitats have been created to support what God had in mind next. Just think of the minute details that had to be right, such as the temperature of the water to support particular kinds of fish.

God did not just create one or two kinds of birds and a couple of types of fish. Genesis 1 says the waters were teeming with fish. God demonstrates His infinite creativity in the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air.

All kinds of creatures live in the sea—some of the smallest and some of the largest, some that are very beautiful, and some that are bizarre or odd. The smallest creatures that live in the sea are tiny, microscopic, single-celled forms of life, such as bacteria, protozoa, and algae. However, not all algae are tiny, although many have only one cell. Seaweeds, which grow to be many feet in length, are algae. Invertebrates include sponges, jellyfish, clams, oysters, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, sea lilies, lobsters, worms, snails, and many more.

All sorts of fish live in lakes, rivers, and seas. Many mammals live in the sea, including dolphins, whales, porpoises, seals, sea lions, and sea cows. Consider even the ancient marine reptiles, which are now extinct. God created all of these.

All sorts of birds now filled the skies. Remember the age-old question: “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” Genesis is clear that God created the birds, and then they reproduced after their own kind.

What else does the Bible have to say about fish and birds?

Jesus said diversity in the Kingdom of God is like fish in a net (Matthew 13:47)
Jesus compared following Him to fishing for men (Matthew 4:19)
Jesus miraculously used two fish and five loaves to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people (John 6:1-15)
God knows every bird (Psalm 50:11a)
God protects us like a mother bird protects her chicks (Psalm 91:4)
People who trust God will rise up like eagles (Isaiah 40:31a)

Way to Introduce the Story:

If possible, arrange to bring a live bird or fish today. Let the children look at it and notice all the details about it. Birds- feathers, beak, wings, wing-span, claws, nostrils, seeds that it eats . . . Fish- fins, shiny scales, gills, tail, eyes . . . “God created the beautiful sky and water on the second day. He created plants on the land and in the water on the third day. Today we are going to learn about the birds and fish that God created to fly in the sky and swim in the sea.”
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The Story:

Every part of creation was made in a certain order. Just think what would have happened if God had made the fish before He made the water. What would have happened? No, everything that was made was carefully planned by God and made at the right time.

God made birds to fill the skies on the fifth day of creation. The birds had beautiful places to fly and wonderful trees in which they could build their nests and perch. There were plenty of plants with all sorts of seeds and fruits that the birds could eat.

On the fifth day of creation, God also filled the seas and rivers with living things. Not just fish but every creature living in the water was created. How many water creatures can we name? (fish, crabs, sting rays, crayfish, whales, dolphins, shrimp, snails, sharks . . .)

On the fifth day, God looked at everything He had created and saw that it was good.
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Ways to Tell the Story:

This story can be told using various methods. Always remain true to the facts found in the Bible, but help children connect to its meaning by using drama, visual aids, voice inflection, group participation, or emotion.

Each teacher is unique, so only use the illustrations that best relate to how YOU tell the story in THIS lesson. Too many illustrations can be confusing, so eliminate any that cover other stories or details you do not wish to emphasise in this lesson.

Visual Aids that Cover All Seven Days of Creation

If teaching the story of creation as a unit over a few weeks or days, repeat the whole creation story each time and follow this by going back and emphasizing more details about a particular day. Try using a variety of storytelling and visual aid methods. Although the creation story will be repeated, you will go a little deeper on this particular day, “Day 5.” By the end of Day Seven, all the children will remember the story well.

Click here to download the slideshow: God Created the World, or
click here to download the pictures to print: God Created the World.

Click here to download the slideshow: Days of Creation, or
click here to download the pictures to print: Days of Creation.
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Review and Reflection Questions:

Review questions help children remember and know the facts of a story, while reflection questions encourage them to internalize its meaning and implications for their lives. Asking at least one of each type of question can help strengthen a child’s spiritual development and help them connect to God. Click here to learn more about review and reflection questions.

Review:

What did God create on the fifth day? (Birds and fish)
What did God say about the birds and fish (He told them to increase in number)
Why do you think God made sky and water before birds and fish?
What does this story tell us about God and our world?

Reflection:

What do you think the world sounded like when God first made birds and fish?
What are some birds or fish you might’ve seen on this day of creation? What about fish?
What do you think God most enjoyed about this day of Creation?
How would you feel if you got to design and create all of the birds and fish?
What is a question you have for God about this story?
What do you wonder about in this story?

Prayer:

It is important to guide children in learning how to pray. In prayer, children can connect with God and learn that He hears and answers them. God can become a life-long friend who is with them every moment of their lives. Try using a variety of prayer methods from time to time so that the children can learn to connect with God in different ways. Note that you can pray at any time throughout your lesson. A variety of prayer methods are found here.

Song Suggestions:

Creation Song (Emphasis on Day Five Part)
Hippo Song
My God is So Big Song
Got the Whole World in His Hands Song
Refer to the Song Page on this website for more options.

Activities and Crafts:

(How to choose the best learning activities for my teaching situation)

Activities:

Do some science experiments concerning birds or fish.
Bring a goldfish or bird to show the children.
“Go fishing” with small dowel rods attached to a string. Tie a magnet to the end of the string, and then “catch” paper clips or other small metal objects.
Bring a collection of feathers to show the children. You could also go on a walk and try to find feathers. If available, show different kinds of bird nests or eggs.
Brainstorm all the sayings associated with birds (birds of a feather, bird brain, etc.). Do the same with fish (fish breath, something is fishy, etc.

Crafts:

Decorate boiled eggs with dye, paint, markers, glitter, stickers, etc. Serve fish samples for the children to taste. How about fish-shaped crackers or chocolate fish?
Creation Mural: Attach a long strip of paper to the wall and divide it into seven sections for the days of creation. As the children study each day of creation, glue items or paint pictures onto the corresponding section of the mural. For today’s lesson, add pictures of birds and fish. Also, add real feathers, nests, or eggshells.
Print bookmarks, trading cards or timelines (printable pages).
Visit the Teaching Ideas page for additional activities and crafts.