Why the Beginning Still Matters: Helping Kids Understand Genesis

“Why did God make the world?”

“Why is there so much pain?”

“Can God fix what’s broken?”

If you’re a parent, you’ve likely heard questions like these—or maybe asked them yourself. And

if you’ve ever stumbled in trying to answer, you’re not alone. But the truth is: the answers our children need begin… in the very beginning.

Genesis 1–3 isn’t just the opening of the Bible—it’s the foundation for everything our kids need to know about life, themselves, and most importantly, God.

1. Creation Shows Our True Identity

Kids today are flooded with competing messages about who they are and what matters. Genesis 1 grounds them in the unchanging truth: they are created by God, made in His image, with inherent value and purpose. Before we teach them what to do, we need to help them understand who they are—beloved children of a good and glorious Creator.

2. The Fall Explains Our Broken World

When children face disappointment, injustice, or confusion, Genesis gives them clarity. It explains why the world feels broken and why hearts hurt. Instead of guessing or glossing over difficult realities, we can help them see the bigger picture—that sin changed everything, and that struggle isn’t just personal—it’s universal.

3. A Promise that Sparks Hope

Even in the midst of sin, God’s promise echoes in Genesis 3:15—a Savior is coming to defeat evil and restore creation. That’s not just theology for adults; it’s a lifeline of hope for children. When they see God’s redemptive plan woven into the beginning, they begin to perceive the whole Bible as a story of redemption—not just a collection of stories.

In a culture where truth, purpose, and hope are often questioned, helping our kids grasp the beginning of the Bible anchors them for life. As parents, we don’t need to have all the answers—but we do need to give them the right starting point.

And better yet? That starting point is already written. It’s in Genesis.