Thurzo Gizella Bible Study

Origin of the World and Humankind

Genesis Chapter One

In the ancient loom of time, where the universe was a canvas waiting to be painted, and darkness cloaked the void, a celestial symphony began.

Picture this: God, the cosmic artist, taking up the brushes of creation and weaving the grand tale of existence.

Let me help you to understand, the meaning of: “In the ancient loom of time,” 

Imagine time as a big weaving machine, like the loom used to make cloth. But instead of threads, time weaves together moments, events, and stories from long, long ago.

When we say “In the ancient loom of time,” it’s like talking about things that happened a very, very long time ago, all woven together in the fabric of history, just like threads are woven into cloth.

So, it’s like talking about the distant past, way back when our ancestors lived and stories were being made.

 How about the meaning of “darkness cloaked the void” 

Imagine a big, empty space, like the night sky with no stars or planets. Now, imagine it covered in darkness, like a thick blanket. That’s what “darkness cloaked the void” means.

It’s like saying that darkness wrapped around this empty space, making it hard to see anything, just like how a cloak covers someone to keep them warm.

So, it’s describing a place where there’s nothing but darkness all around.

How else could we say “a celestial symphony began,” 

Picture a beautiful orchestra, with lots of different instruments playing together, creating wonderful music.

Now, instead of people playing those instruments, imagine it’s the stars, planets, and galaxies up in the sky.

When we say “a celestial symphony began,” it’s like saying that the universe itself started playing this amazing music.

Each twinkling star and spinning planet adds its own special note to this incredible cosmic melody, making it a symphony beyond anything we can hear with our ears.

 It’s a way of describing the awe-inspiring beauty and harmony of the universe.

 What is a “symphony orchestra?”  

A symphony orchestra is a large group of musicians who play together, usually in a concert hall, creating beautiful music. They have different sections, like strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, each playing different parts that blend together to create harmonious melodies. So, when we talk about a “celestial symphony,” we’re imagining the stars and planets in the sky behaving like an orchestra, each celestial object playing its part in a magnificent cosmic concert.

As the Spirit of God gently danced over the watery canvas, a divine command echoed through the cosmos – “Let there be light!” Suddenly, radiant beams burst forth, dispelling the darkness and revealing a brilliant day and a tranquil night. And thus, the first day unfolded in the cosmic tapestry.

When “God said, ‘Let there be light!’ Guess what happened? There was light! It was like turning on a big, bright lamp in a dark room. God saw that the light was good, like when you draw a really nice picture and everyone says, ‘Wow, that’s great!’

Then, God did something really neat. He separated the light from the darkness, like splitting your crayons into different colors. He said, ‘The bright time is called day, and the dark time is called night.’ So now, we know when it’s time to play outside and when it’s time to snuggle up in bed.

And do you know what? That was just the beginning! This all happened during the evening and the morning of the very first day. Isn’t that amazing?”

What is the meaning of: “watery canvas, a divine command echoed through the cosmos,” ?

Imagine the sky as a big painting canvas, but instead of being dry like paper, it’s wet with water. Now, think of a very special and powerful voice of God, saying something very important. This voice isn’t just heard on Earth but echoes through the entire universe, reaching all the stars and planets.

So, when we say “watery canvas, a divine command echoed through the cosmos,” we’re imagining that the sky is like a wet painting canvas, and a really special message, like a command from God (someone very important) (we call it divine), is spoken. And His message travels through space, reaching everywhere, just like how ripples spread out when you drop a stone into water. It’s a way of saying that something very important and powerful is happening, touching everything in the universe.

“Echoed”? what does that mean?

Okay, imagine you’re in a big cave, and when you talk or make a sound, it doesn’t just go away right away. Instead, it bounces off the walls and comes back to you. That’s like an echo! Now, think of someone with a really loud and powerful voice, like a God, when they speak, their voice doesn’t just stay in one place. It travels far and wide, bouncing off everything it meets, just like in the cave. That’s a voice that echoes—it’s so strong and loud that you can hear it even after the person stops speaking, as it bounces around everywhere.

On the second day, God, the master painter, turned His attention to the heavens. With strokes of divine inspiration, a firmament emerged, separating the waters above and below, creating a celestial masterpiece known as the sky or “heavens.”

We could also say it like this:

God said, ‘I want there to be something special in the middle of all the water to keep some water up high and some water down low.’

And you know what? God did it! He made something like a big, invisible wall in the water, just like how you build a sandcastle to make a little pool at the beach. He made sure the water above the wall stayed up in the sky, like the clouds and the rain, and the water below stayed in the oceans and rivers. How cool is that?

Then, God gave this special thing a really cool name: ‘the heavens.’ It’s like the big, beautiful sky above us where the birds fly and the clouds float.

And guess what? All of this happened during the evening and the morning of the second day of God’s awesome creation story!”

We could  imagine God as a really talented painter, like someone who creates beautiful pictures. On the second day of creating the world, God decided to focus on the sky.

So, God took their paintbrush, which is like a magic wand, and with lots of creativity and inspiration, they started to paint. But instead of using paint and canvas, they used something even more magical: their words and commands.

They said something really special, like a magical spell, and suddenly, something amazing happened. It’s like they drew a line in the sky, and it created a big space between the waters above, like clouds and rain, and the waters below, like oceans and rivers. This special space they made is called the sky or the heavens.

It’s like God painted this big, beautiful picture in the sky, with clouds floating and birds flying. And everyone can look up and see this amazing masterpiece, thanks to God’s incredible painting skills and imagination.

So, the sky we see above us is like a big, celestial painting made by the master painter, God.( The God of the Bible is also known as “the father, the son, and the holy spirit” three persons in one God.) That is why the bible says “they” when he is creating the Universe.

What is the meaning of ” a firmament emerged,”

“Imagine the sky, where birds fly and clouds float. Well, in the story, when we say ‘a firmament emerged,’ it’s like saying that the sky appeared. It’s as if someone waved a magic wand and suddenly, there was a big, beautiful sky above us. This sky separates the air where birds fly from the water in the oceans below. So, it’s like the sky became its own special place, all thanks to God’s special creation.

The third day was a revelation of land and sea. God called the waters to gather, unveiling a dry expanse – the land. With another creative decree, vibrant plants sprouted, each carrying seeds, and fruit trees bore fruit with seeds within. The Creator admired the beauty of this verdant creation.

To say it a new way: God said, ‘I want all the water in one place, and I want to see some dry land.’ And guess what? Just like that, it happened! God made all the water gather together in big oceans and lakes, and he made dry land appear. It’s like making a sandbox at the beach!

Then, God gave the dry land a name: ‘the land,’ and the big, gathered water got a name too: ‘the sea.’ God looked at everything and thought, ‘Yep, this is really good!’

But wait, there’s more excitement! God said, ‘Now, let’s have plants grow on the land, like flowers and trees. They’ll have seeds so they can make more plants and yummy fruit for us to eat!’ And just like that, it happened too! Plants and trees sprouted up, each one with its own special kind of seeds. God thought they were all really, really good!

And you know what? All of this happened during the evening and the morning of the third day of our amazing adventure story!”

So, on this third day, God did something really amazing. They (the father, the son, and the holy spirit) commanded the waters, like the oceans and rivers, to come together in one place, revealing something new – dry land! It’s like when you move water aside in a bathtub and see the bottom.

Then, with another command, God made something beautiful happen. Plants of all kinds started growing from the ground, filling the land with greenery and life.

And these plants were really smart because they had tiny things inside them called seeds, which could grow into new plants later on. Also, there were trees that grew delicious fruits with seeds inside them too!

God looked at everything they made, all the plants and trees covering the land, and thought it was really beautiful. It’s like when you draw a picture and feel proud of how pretty it looks.

So, that’s how the third day was – a day of revealing land, growing plants, and admiring the beauty of it all.

As the cosmic saga continued into the fourth day, celestial lights adorned the heavens. The sun, moon, and stars became cosmic choreographers, marking the passage of time, seasons, and days, casting their glow on the earth below.

To make it more interesting, we could say it like this:

God said, ‘I want there to be some really cool lights up in the sky. They’ll help us know when it’s daytime and when it’s nighttime. They’ll also help us know when it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, and even count the days and years!’ And you know what? Bam! Just like magic, it happened!

God made two big lights: one for the daytime, which we call the sun, and one for the nighttime, which we call the moon. And oh boy, God didn’t stop there! He also made all those tiny sparkles in the sky that we call stars!

God put these amazing lights up high in the sky to shine down on us and light up the whole Earth. The sun rules the day, giving us lots of light and warmth, while the moon takes over at night, giving us a cozy glow. And those stars? They’re like little nightlights twinkling in the sky!

God looked at everything and thought, ‘Wow, this is really, really good!’ And you know what else? All of this happened during the evening and the morning of the fourth day of God’s incredible creation story!”

Alright, imagine the story of the world unfolding like a really exciting adventure book. On the fourth day of this amazing story, something incredible happened in the sky.

It’s like a big show up there, with lots of lights turning on. First, the sun appears, shining brightly and giving us light and warmth during the day. Then, the moon joins in, glowing softly in the night sky. And all around them, twinkling like diamonds, are the stars.

These lights in the sky become like special choreographers, which is like directors of a big dance performance. They help us know when it’s daytime and when it’s nighttime, and they even tell us what season it is and how many days have passed.

Their light shines down on the Earth, making everything bright and beautiful during the day and giving us a cozy glow at night. It’s like having a big spotlight in the sky, making the world feel magical and full of wonder.

So, every time we look up at the sun, the moon, and the stars, we’re seeing these amazing cosmic choreographers at work, helping to make our world a very special place.

On the fifth day, the cosmic ballet extended to the waters and skies. Majestic sea creatures and graceful birds took center stage, blessed with the command to flourish and multiply.

We could say this story also like this:

God said, ‘I want the waters to be filled with lots and lots of living creatures, like fish, dolphins, and all kinds of sea animals. And up in the sky, I want to see birds flying around!’ And guess what? Boom! Just like that, it happened!

God created all the big, fantastic sea creatures, like whales and sharks, and all the other amazing creatures that swim in the ocean. Each one was special and unique, just like you and me! And up in the sky, God made all the birds, like colorful parrots, graceful swans, and chirpy little sparrows. They were all different and beautiful in their own way.

Then, God gave them a really cool command: ‘Go ahead and have lots of babies and fill the seas with more creatures, and let the birds make their homes all over the earth.’ Wow, how awesome is that?

And guess what? All of this happened during the evening and the morning of the fifth day of our God’s super creation story! Isn’t it just amazing?”

So, on the fifth day, something amazing happened in this magical world. It’s like a big, cosmic dance party! The stage for this party was the waters and the skies. Imagine all sorts of majestic sea creatures like colorful fish, playful dolphins, and gigantic whales dancing gracefully in the ocean. And up above, in the sky, picture beautiful birds soaring high and gliding elegantly through the clouds. They’re like the stars of the show, blessed to live and grow in this amazing world.

What is the meaning of “Cosmic”?

“Think about the biggest, most amazing thing you can imagine. Well, cosmic means even bigger and more amazing than that! It’s like talking about really, really huge things that are out in space, like stars, planets, and galaxies. So when we say ‘cosmic,’ we’re talking about things that are super, super big and out-of-this-world amazing!”

Then, on the sixth day, the story continues with even more wonder! God, the Creator calls forth creatures of the land. These are animals of all shapes and sizes, each one unique and special. From big elephants to tiny ants, they’re all like masterpieces created by the Creator’s magic touch.

And then, something really magical happens. With the guidance of the divine, God speaks humans into existence.

These are men and women, just like us, made in the image of the God. They’re given a very important job – to take care of the Earth and all its creatures. It’s like being entrusted with a very special treasure!

Overflowing with benevolence, God blessed them with the command to thrive, multiply, and govern the land. Every living being received vegetation as nourishment, and harmony resonated through the untamed wilderness.

Here is another way to tell this part of the story:

God said, ‘Now it’s time for the Earth to bring forth all kinds of living creatures! Like cows, which give us milk, and reptiles, like snakes and lizards, and wild animals, like lions and tigers.’ And guess what? Poof! Just like magic, it happened! God made all these incredible creatures, each one special and unique.

Then, God had another amazing idea. He said, ‘Let’s make humans, just like us, but in our own special way. They’ll be in charge of taking care of all the animals, birds, and creatures on the Earth.’ And you know what? God made humans, boys and girls, just like you and me!

God gave them a special blessing: ‘Be happy, have lots of children, and take care of our amazing Earth.

You’re in charge of all the fish in the seas, the birds in the sky, and every creature that moves on the land.’

And then, God said, ‘I’ve got something yummy for you to eat!’ He gave humans all the plants and trees with fruits and seeds, like apples and bananas, for their food. And for all the animals and birds, God gave them green plants to munch on.

God looked at everything and thought, ‘Wow, this is really awesome!’ And guess what? All of this happened during the evening and the morning of the sixth day of God’s incredible creation story!

So, then, on the sixth day, the story continues with even more wonder! God calls forth creatures of the land. These are animals of all shapes and sizes, each one unique and special. From big elephants to tiny ants, they’re all like masterpieces created by the Creator’s magic touch. And then, something really special happens.

With the guidance of the divine, God speaks humans into existence. These are men and women, just like us, made in the image of the Creator. They’re given a very important job – to take care of the Earth and all its creatures. It’s like being entrusted with a very special treasure!

What does it mean to be in the “image of the Creator.”?

“Imagine the Creator as someone who made everything around us, like the trees, animals, and even us! When we say ‘in the image of the Creator,’ it means that we are made to be like the Creator in some ways. We might not look exactly like the Creator, but we have special qualities that are similar. Like being kind, loving, and creative. So, when we’re kind to others or help someone, it’s like we’re showing a little bit of what the God is like.”

“Overflowing with benevolence” What does that mean ?

Imagine God, like a very kind and caring parent, overflowing with love for all the creatures they’ve made. This Creator, our God, wants everyone to be happy and healthy, so they give them a special blessing. It’s like receiving a big gift that makes you feel really happy inside.

The blessing is for all the creatures, including humans, to not just survive but to thrive and grow in numbers. It’s like being given permission to live life to the fullest, to have lots of babies, and to make the world a better place.

And not only that, but the Creator, our God, also makes sure that there’s enough food for everyone. It’s like setting a table with a feast for all the animals to enjoy. They all get to eat plants and vegetation that nourish them and keep them strong and healthy.

As a result, everything in nature lives together in peace and happiness. It’s like a beautiful song where all the different parts blend perfectly, creating harmony in the wild and untamed world. And it’s all thanks to the kindness and generosity of our Father God, who wants nothing but the best for their creations.

So, it’s a story of creation, filled with wonder and magic, where every living thing has a role to play in this beautiful world we call home. And humans, crafted with love and care, have the important task of protecting and caring for it all.

Upon surveying this grand masterpiece, God declared it not just good but very good.

The symphony of creation had woven a vibrant tapestry where light and life harmonized, and every detail spoke of God’s boundless love and artistry.

And as the evening and the morning marked the end of this enchanting tale, the cosmic canvas stood adorned with the wonders of creation.

In other words, imagine someone like an artist or a storyteller finishing a really big project, like making a beautiful painting or telling an amazing story. After they’re done, they step back and look at what they’ve created, feeling really proud and happy.

In this story, it’s like God, the Creator, who made everything in the world, does the same thing. They (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) look at everything they’ve made, like the land, the sea, the animals, and the people, and they think it’s not just good, but really, really good. It’s like saying they’re super happy with how everything turned out, like they’ve made something really special.

They see how everything fits together perfectly, like all the colors in a painting or all the parts in a story, making a beautiful picture. It’s like a magical song where everything sounds just right, making the world a wonderful place to be. And in every little detail, they see their own love and creativity shining through, like a signature on a masterpiece.

Then, as the day turns into night and then back into day again, it’s like the end of a fantastic adventure story. The sky is like a big canvas, painted with all the wonders of creation, and it stands there, full of beauty and magic, ready for everyone to enjoy. And it’s all thanks to the amazing work of God, the Creator, who made everything with so much love and care.

What does Vibrant tapestry mean?

“Vibrant tapestry” is like a really colorful and exciting picture. It’s full of different colors, patterns, and shapes that all come together to make something really amazing to look at. Just like how different threads are woven together to make a beautiful cloth, a vibrant tapestry is made up of lots of different parts that all make it look really pretty and interesting. So when we talk about a “vibrant tapestry,” we’re talking about something that’s bursting with life and color, like a super fun and colorful picture book!

This is the end of the first Chapter of the Bible.  The rest of the bible tells us in a lot more detail how it came about and where is might end.

I used the New Catholic Bible Version as the origins of the above story for young children. It is meant to not only inform, but also educate children. When you read this to children, ask questions and help to define words and concepts. Read it to them many times over. Help them to also read it for themselves if they are older. The rest of this blog has the actual bible text for you to also read. Also check out the footnotes.

Origin of the World and Humankind^[a]

Creation and the Fall

Chapter 1

Origin of the Universe.^{[b] 1} In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.^{[c] 2} The earth was formless and barren, and darkness covered the abyss while the Spirit of God hovered over the waters.

³ God said, “Let there be light!” And there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ And he called the light day, and he called the darkness night. This was the evening and the morning of the first day.

⁶ God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters to separate one set of waters from the other.”^{[d] 7} God separated the firmament from the waters, those waters that are under the firmament from those that are above the firmament. And it was so. ⁸ God called the firmament the heavens. This was the evening and the morning of the second day.

⁹ God said, “Let the waters that are under the heavens be gathered into one place and let a dry place appear.” And it was so. ¹⁰ God called the dry place the land, and the gathered waters he called the sea. And God saw that it was good.

¹¹ God said, “Let the land bring forth plants, those that produce seeds and fruit trees that have seeds inside of the fruit they bear, each according to its own kind. And it was so. ¹² The land brought forth plants, each according to its kind, and trees that have fruit with seeds inside of them, each according to its kind.” God saw that they were good. ¹³ This was the evening and the morning of the third day.

¹⁴ God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate the day from the night; let them be markers to separate seasons and days and years, ¹⁵ and let them be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light to the earth.” And it was so. ¹⁶ God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night, and he also made the stars. ¹⁷ God placed them in the firmament of the heavens to light the earth ¹⁸ and to rule over the day and the night and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. ¹⁹ This was the evening and the morning of the fourth day.

²⁰ God said, “Let the waters be filled with living creatures and let birds fly above the earth in the firmament of the heavens.” ²¹ God created the great sea creatures and all the other creatures that fill the waters, each according to its kind, and all the birds that fly in the sky, each according to its kind. ²² God blessed them saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters of the sea, and let the birds multiply upon the earth.” ²³ And this was the evening and the morning of the fifth day.

²⁴ God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures each according to its kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. ²⁵ God made the savage beasts according to their kind and the cattle according to their kind and all of the reptiles according to their kind. And God saw that it was good.

²⁶ And God said, “Let us^[e] make man in our image and likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the wild animals and reptiles that crawl upon the earth.”

²⁷ God created mankind in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

²⁸ God blessed them and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth; subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the seas and over the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.”

²⁹ And God said, “Behold, I give you every plant that produces seeds upon the earth and every tree that has fruit with its seed inside of it: these shall be your food. ³⁰ And I give all green plants to every wild animal and to all the birds of the air and to all creatures that move upon the surface of the earth and that have the breath of life in them.” And it was so.

³¹ God saw all that he had made, and behold, it was very good. This was the evening and the morning of the sixth day.

Footnotes

1. Genesis 1:1 The description of the origins of the universe and of humankind is not based on human testimony but is the fruit of reflection that was inspired by God and directed by him over the centuries. The Lord is the supreme master of the universe; he has from eternity formed a plan for the salvation of all the peoples of the earth. Humankind was brought to ruin by its own sin; the sin of Adam disfigured the divine work, but God loves humankind and, in order to lead it to salvation, chooses for himself a special people.
2. Genesis 1:1 This majestic song in rhythmical prose was composed, it seems, in the priestly circles of Israel, perhaps after the Exile. It reflects the naive ideas of that time on the physical structure of the world: the heavens, for example, are imagined to be a solid vault in which the stars are set. The biblical text is akin to ancient Babylonian stories, now known to us, but it rises far above them. Here, everything that exists is the work of a single God; it takes only his word to create the universe. The Spirit, that is, the “breath,” of God presides over creation. A day will come when, through the Spirit on Pentecost, God will give rise to the new creation, the new humankind that is reborn in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
3. Genesis 1:1 The story of creation is not intended as a scientific theory about the origins of the universe and human beings; it takes as its starting point ideas current in that part of the world and intends to teach certain fundamental and perennial truths about God as one, transcendent, existing prior to the universe, and about human beings as his creatures.

Genesis 1:6 The ancient Semites viewed the heavens as a vault made of a solid material—the firmament—which holds back the waters above and separates them from

1. Genesis 1:26 Let us: the plural “us” here is not a plural of majesty (this does not exist in Hebrew) but rather shows the divine process of deliberation as a consultation of God with himself (or with the angels?). When Isaiah describes the divine majesty (6:8), he too feels the need of using the plural; the same in Gen 3:22.