The book of Genesis tells us about the very beginning of everything. The word Genesis means “beginning.” It teaches us how God made the world and how His story with people started. Many people believe that Moses wrote the book of Genesis, though he may have used stories that were passed down by others. The words were written in an old language called Hebrew, which is related to the Hebrew language spoken in Israel today. Even though people wrote the book, the Bible tells us that God guided them by the Holy Spirit. In 2 Peter 1:21 we learn that people spoke from God as they were guided by the Holy Spirit. This means the message of Genesis comes from God.
Genesis chapter 1 tells us how God created the world. At the very beginning, the earth had no shape and everything was dark. But the Spirit of God was there, moving over the waters. Then God spoke and said, “Let there be light,” and light appeared. God made day and night. He made the sky above and the seas below. God made the land, the grass, the plants, and the trees. He placed the sun in the sky for the daytime and the moon and stars for the nighttime. God filled the seas with fish and the sky with birds. He made animals that live on the land. Every time God created something new, the Bible says that God saw that it was good.
Then God made something very special. God made people. The Bible says that people are made in the image of God. This means that we are able to know God, love Him, and talk with Him. God gave people the responsibility to take care of the earth and the animals. When God finished making everything, He looked at it all and said that it was very good.
The story of creation also teaches us something important about God’s love. The Spirit of God was moving over the waters when the world began. That same Holy Spirit still helps people today. The Holy Spirit helps us know God and feel His love in our hearts. We can think of this as a bright place inside our hearts called the Holy-Spirit Realm. In this bright place we learn to love God, be kind to others, forgive people, and make good choices.
When we pray, listen to God, and follow what is good, our hearts step into this bright place. In the Holy-Spirit Realm we can feel peace, love, and joy because God is close to us. God created the world with goodness and love, and He created you to know Him and walk with Him.
Think about these questions as you read this story. Who made the world and everything in it? What does it mean that people are made in the image of God? How can you show kindness and love to others today? When you pray, how does it help your heart feel close to God?
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for making the world and everything in it. Thank You for making me and loving me. Holy Spirit, help my heart stay in the bright place where I can feel Your love. Help me be kind, make good choices, and remember that You are always with me. Amen.
Holy-Spirit Realm Teaching 