If God Made the Universe Then Who Made God?
and other things a kid should know...
Written by Scott Ludbrook Illustrated by Greg Walker
Introduction: What's this book all about?
As a teacher of kids in Christian schools I have been asked a lot of questions about God. In this book I have used God's Word (the Bible) to help answer four of the most commonly asked questions. I figure that if the kids I teach ask them, then a lot of other kids probably do as well. It is my prayer that God will help all those who read this book to learn something new about him.
Scott Ludbrook
Scott Ludbrook
Who made God?
When I am teaching kids that God made the universe, which is what the Bible says, someone will usually ask the question, "If God made the universe then who made God?" And my answer is ... nobody! God has always existed and unlike anyone or anything else, he had no beginning. This may seem strange at first, but when you look at the alternatives it's the only answer that makes sense.
Let's say for example, that I told you there was another god who made the God who made the universe. Most likely your next question would be, "Who made the god who made the God who made the universe?" If I then said that there was another god who made the god who made the God who made the universe, the same problem would still exist — "Who made this god?"
Thankfully we don't have to worry about other gods having made God, because the Bible tells us that there is only one God, and that no-one made him because he made everything. The Bible says of God in John chapter 1, verse 3 that, "All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him."
Even after reading what the Bible says you may still be thinking, "That's impossible! How can I believe that God has always existed, had no beginning and that nobody made him?" Well, the fact is that everybody must believe that something has always existed that nobody made — even people who don't believe in God!
Let's say for example, that I told you there was another god who made the God who made the universe. Most likely your next question would be, "Who made the god who made the God who made the universe?" If I then said that there was another god who made the god who made the God who made the universe, the same problem would still exist — "Who made this god?"
Thankfully we don't have to worry about other gods having made God, because the Bible tells us that there is only one God, and that no-one made him because he made everything. The Bible says of God in John chapter 1, verse 3 that, "All things were made by him, and nothing was made without him."
Even after reading what the Bible says you may still be thinking, "That's impossible! How can I believe that God has always existed, had no beginning and that nobody made him?" Well, the fact is that everybody must believe that something has always existed that nobody made — even people who don't believe in God!
Some people might believe that the universe has always existed. Others may believe that certain gases caused an explosion which started off the earth or the universe. Still others could believe that to start with there was nothing except for space. But who made the universe? Who made the gases? Who made the space?
The only answer that someone who doesn't believe in God can give to these questions is ... nobody! They must believe that the universe, the gases or space had no beginning and has always been there. You see, everybody must believe that something has always existed that nobody made!
As human beings we cannot understand how anything could have no beginning (the mind boggles just thinking about it), but at the same time we have to accept that something or someone has always existed. So the question now is, "Who or what are you going to believe has always been there?"
If you choose to believe that there is no God and that the universe, space or some gases have always existed, then you also choose to believe that the world and everything in it (including us) is here by chance. You must conclude that we are an accident, not made or designed by anyone, with no real purpose or meaning.
The only answer that someone who doesn't believe in God can give to these questions is ... nobody! They must believe that the universe, the gases or space had no beginning and has always been there. You see, everybody must believe that something has always existed that nobody made!
As human beings we cannot understand how anything could have no beginning (the mind boggles just thinking about it), but at the same time we have to accept that something or someone has always existed. So the question now is, "Who or what are you going to believe has always been there?"
If you choose to believe that there is no God and that the universe, space or some gases have always existed, then you also choose to believe that the world and everything in it (including us) is here by chance. You must conclude that we are an accident, not made or designed by anyone, with no real purpose or meaning.
On the other hand, if you choose to believe that God has always existed, then you also choose to believe that God designed and made the universe, the earth and you and me.
To me it makes much more sense to believe that there is a God who designed and made everything with a purpose — a God who can understand even the things that we can't, like how he has always existed. For the Bible says in Job chapter 11, verses 7-9,
Can you understand the secrets of God? Can you search the limits of the Almighty? His limits are higher than the heavens; you cannot reach them! They are deeper than the grave; you cannot understand them! His limits are longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
The choice is up to you! What will you choose to believe?
To me it makes much more sense to believe that there is a God who designed and made everything with a purpose — a God who can understand even the things that we can't, like how he has always existed. For the Bible says in Job chapter 11, verses 7-9,
Can you understand the secrets of God? Can you search the limits of the Almighty? His limits are higher than the heavens; you cannot reach them! They are deeper than the grave; you cannot understand them! His limits are longer than the earth and wider than the sea.
The choice is up to you! What will you choose to believe?
How did God make the world?
Once someone decides that they believe in God and that he made everything, the next question that often comes into their mind is, "How?"
What exactly did God do to make such a beautiful and complex world? Did he get out the hammer and nails and the "How to Make the World in Ten Easy Steps" manual? Did he mix secret potions together like a mad scientist? No! Well, how did God make the world then?
What exactly did God do to make such a beautiful and complex world? Did he get out the hammer and nails and the "How to Make the World in Ten Easy Steps" manual? Did he mix secret potions together like a mad scientist? No! Well, how did God make the world then?
The answer is found in the Bible in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 3. The first part of this verse tells us that the only way we can understand how God made the world is by having faith. Faith is being sure that something is real, even if we don't see it. In the next part of the verse we are told that, "the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (NIV). In other words, God said, "Let this be made" ... and it was! No tools, no potion, simply God's command and it appeared.
Genesis (the first book of the Bible) chapter 1 also tells us of God commanding things to appear and it happening. For example: Genesis chapter 1, verse 3 says, "Then God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light." Genesis chapter 1, verse 9 says, "Then God said, , 'Let the water under the sky be gathered together so the dry land will appear.' And it happened."
When it came to making people, God used a slightly different method. The Bible describes how God made the first man in Genesis chapter 2, verse 7: "Then the Lord took dust from the ground and formed a man from it. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nose, and the man became a living person. "
When it came to making people, God used a slightly different method. The Bible describes how God made the first man in Genesis chapter 2, verse 7: "Then the Lord took dust from the ground and formed a man from it. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nose, and the man became a living person. "
Now if you think that's unusual, just wait until you hear about how God made the first woman. Genesis chapter 2, verses 21–22 says that God caused the man to sleep very deeply and then took out one of his ribs. After closing up the man’s skin, God made a woman out of the rib! Remember that even though we didn’t see these things happen, we must have faith to believe that they did. We must trust that what God says in his Word (the Bible) is true.
Unfortunately some people do not believe the Bible and instead put their faith in evolution. Evolution is the belief that life forms have developed and changed over time (usually long periods of time, such as millions of years), becoming more and more complex — by chance, with no designer or maker. For example, lizards evolving into birds, and apes evolving into humans.
There wouldn’t be a person alive who would believe that the computer formed slowly over time, becoming more and more complex with no-one to design or make it. Yet some people still believe that we humans (with brains far more complex than any computer) formed slowly over time, by chance, with no help from an intelligent being. Evolution just doesn’t make sense!
If you’re still unsure or would just like to know more, visit CreationForKids.com and AnswersInGenesis.org/kids. These websites have articles, videos, activities and games that will help you discover many scientific and commonsense reasons for believing in creation by God and not evolution.
Why does God let bad things happen?
If you were to pick up a newspaper today, it would probably contain mostly bad news. FIVE MURDERED ... BANK ROBBED ... DIVORCE RATE UP ... MILLIONS DIE IN FAMINE ... MASS UNEMPLOYMENT ... TEENAGE SUICIDES ON THE INCREASE ... WAR DECLARED!
Headlines like these are very common in today’s world and lead many people to ask the question, “Why does God let bad things happen?” or, “If God made the world then why doesn’t he do something to fix up the mess that it’s in?”
When looking to answer these questions it is important to realise that God has given people the ability to make choices. This means that God doesn’t force us to make decisions, but instead he allows us to choose what we will do. God didn’t make people like remote control robots that simply obey his commands and have no say in the matter.
When looking to answer these questions it is important to realise that God has given people the ability to make choices. This means that God doesn’t force us to make decisions, but instead he allows us to choose what we will do. God didn’t make people like remote control robots that simply obey his commands and have no say in the matter.
Many bad things that happen in the world are caused by what people decide to do. Let’s say, for example, that you steal some money from a couple of other kids in your class at school. Those kids would obviously be very upset, so who should they blame? God? Would it be his fault that their money was gone? No, of course not, it would be yours because you were the one who decided to steal the money — God didn’t make it happen! Yet, so often God is blamed for the evil things that people do, and this has been happening since the very beginning.
When God made the first man and woman (Adam and Eve), he put them in a beautiful garden called Eden and told them to rule over all the birds, fish and animals. God gave Adam and Eve all the green plants for food and said that they could eat fruit from every tree except for one — the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from it, God said they would die (not straight away but eventually, because originally they were made to live forever).
Later on, Satan* (in the form of a snake) tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. She did, and then she gave some to Adam who also ate it. When God asked Adam if he had eaten the fruit, Adam replied, “You gave this woman to me and she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it” (Genesis chapter 3, verse 12).
*Note: Satan was originally named Lucifer when God created him. He was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God and so God cast him out of heaven. Lucifer’s name then became Satan.
Instead of just accepting that he had done the wrong thing, Adam tried to put the blame on God for giving him Eve. Like Adam, many people today blame God for the bad things that happen rather than blaming the people who cause them to happen (sometimes themselves).
Later on, Satan* (in the form of a snake) tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. She did, and then she gave some to Adam who also ate it. When God asked Adam if he had eaten the fruit, Adam replied, “You gave this woman to me and she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it” (Genesis chapter 3, verse 12).
*Note: Satan was originally named Lucifer when God created him. He was an angel in heaven, but he rebelled against God and so God cast him out of heaven. Lucifer’s name then became Satan.
Instead of just accepting that he had done the wrong thing, Adam tried to put the blame on God for giving him Eve. Like Adam, many people today blame God for the bad things that happen rather than blaming the people who cause them to happen (sometimes themselves).
However, there are times when it seems that no human is to blame, like when someone gets cancer, has an accident or is born with a disability. To know why these things (and in fact, all bad things) happen, we need to understand that they haven’t always occurred.
Genesis chapter 1, verse 31 tells us that after God had finished his creation he, “looked at everything he had made, and it was very good.” At this time Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God and each other. They lived in harmony with all of God’s creation and there was no death of people or animals (see Genesis chapter 1, verses 29– 30 and Genesis chapter 2, verses 16– 17).
But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God they spoiled their relationship with him, and the whole world was cursed (see Genesis chapter 3).
Even after God had warned them about the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit, they still chose to disobey. As a result of their disobedience, sin, sickness, disease and death entered the world — and have been with us ever since!
Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there. The Bible says that one day God’s creation will be “set free from ruin” (Romans chapter 8, verse 21) and that “all things will be made right again” (Acts chapter 3, verse 21).
Finally, let us consider three other very important things that the Bible tells us about the sufferings people go through.
1. They can produce patience, character and hope (see Romans chapter 5, verses 3– 4).
2. God cares about our sufferings and he knows what it feels like to suffer. To find out more about this, read the next chapter, ‘Does God Love Me?’
3. In heaven there will be no suffering and no more bad things will happen to a person. Revelation chapter 21, verse 4 says of heaven, that there will be no more death, sadness, crying or pain.
Genesis chapter 1, verse 31 tells us that after God had finished his creation he, “looked at everything he had made, and it was very good.” At this time Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God and each other. They lived in harmony with all of God’s creation and there was no death of people or animals (see Genesis chapter 1, verses 29– 30 and Genesis chapter 2, verses 16– 17).
But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God they spoiled their relationship with him, and the whole world was cursed (see Genesis chapter 3).
Even after God had warned them about the consequences of eating the forbidden fruit, they still chose to disobey. As a result of their disobedience, sin, sickness, disease and death entered the world — and have been with us ever since!
Fortunately, the story doesn’t end there. The Bible says that one day God’s creation will be “set free from ruin” (Romans chapter 8, verse 21) and that “all things will be made right again” (Acts chapter 3, verse 21).
Finally, let us consider three other very important things that the Bible tells us about the sufferings people go through.
1. They can produce patience, character and hope (see Romans chapter 5, verses 3– 4).
2. God cares about our sufferings and he knows what it feels like to suffer. To find out more about this, read the next chapter, ‘Does God Love Me?’
3. In heaven there will be no suffering and no more bad things will happen to a person. Revelation chapter 21, verse 4 says of heaven, that there will be no more death, sadness, crying or pain.
Does God love me?
Imagine that you have just made some tiny little creatures about the size of ants. You have invented, designed and brought these creatures into being, so you’ll probably take very special care of them, making sure that they come to no harm. Even though you are much wiser and more powerful than your creatures, they are most precious to you because they are your creation.
Things seem to go along fine for a while, but then one day your creatures decide to disobey you. They do the one thing that you told them never to do. How do you feel towards them now? What will you do? I know what I’d do. I’d … squash them! I mean, I’m much greater than they are. I caused them to exist, cared for them, gave them everything they needed to live and still they disobeyed me. I’m sorry, but squash, squash, squash — none of my tiny creatures would get away with that!
Thankfully that’s not how God treats us, because ever since Adam and Eve ate the fruit that God told them not to, people have been disobeying God. Each of us have done things that we know are wrong, like lying, being greedy and treating others in a mean way. It’s just like the Bible says in Romans chapter 3, verse 23, that all people have sinned (disobeyed God). So if God treated us like I would treat my little creatures, we’d all be squashed!
Things seem to go along fine for a while, but then one day your creatures decide to disobey you. They do the one thing that you told them never to do. How do you feel towards them now? What will you do? I know what I’d do. I’d … squash them! I mean, I’m much greater than they are. I caused them to exist, cared for them, gave them everything they needed to live and still they disobeyed me. I’m sorry, but squash, squash, squash — none of my tiny creatures would get away with that!
Thankfully that’s not how God treats us, because ever since Adam and Eve ate the fruit that God told them not to, people have been disobeying God. Each of us have done things that we know are wrong, like lying, being greedy and treating others in a mean way. It’s just like the Bible says in Romans chapter 3, verse 23, that all people have sinned (disobeyed God). So if God treated us like I would treat my little creatures, we’d all be squashed!
Instead, God has made a way for each of us to be forgiven of our sins. God did this by sending his only Son, Jesus, from heaven to earth 2000 years ago to die on a cross for our sins. This means that Jesus took the punishment that we deserve from God for all the wrong things we have done. What Jesus did gives us the chance to turn away from our sins and believe in him for forgiveness. The Bible says of Jesus in Isaiah chapter 53, verses 5– 6,
He was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. We have all wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. But the Lord has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done.
On the third day after Jesus’ death, God proved that Jesus was his Son by raising him from the dead. Then after being raised from the dead, Jesus appeared to more than 500 people (see 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verses 3– 8) before being lifted up into heaven (see Acts chapter 1, verses 9– 11).
Why did God do this? Why did he send his own Son to take the punishment for our sins? Why didn’t he just squash us? Because he loves us and he wants us to be his special friends. God’s Word tells us this in John chapter 3, verse 16 where it says, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” This means that God wants to forgive us for the wrong things we have done and have us live forever with him in heaven. Such an amazing gift shows how great God’s love is for us — this includes you!
He was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment, which made us well, was given to him, and we are healed because of his wounds. We have all wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way. But the Lord has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done.
On the third day after Jesus’ death, God proved that Jesus was his Son by raising him from the dead. Then after being raised from the dead, Jesus appeared to more than 500 people (see 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verses 3– 8) before being lifted up into heaven (see Acts chapter 1, verses 9– 11).
Why did God do this? Why did he send his own Son to take the punishment for our sins? Why didn’t he just squash us? Because he loves us and he wants us to be his special friends. God’s Word tells us this in John chapter 3, verse 16 where it says, “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.” This means that God wants to forgive us for the wrong things we have done and have us live forever with him in heaven. Such an amazing gift shows how great God’s love is for us — this includes you!
Once you understand that God loves you, the next step is to accept God’s love, forgiveness and his gift of eternal life. You can do this by receiving Jesus as your Lord (the one whose ways and teachings you want to follow) and Saviour (the one who saves you from your sins and enables you to be forgiven). A person who has received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour is usually called a Christian. Do you want to become a Christian? If the answer is yes, then tell God right now by praying a prayer like this from your heart:
Dear God, I know that I have sinned and disobeyed you in many ways, and I am really sorry. Please forgive me and help me to obey you from now on. Thank you for loving me, and for sending Jesus to take the punishment for my sins on the cross. I receive him into my life now as my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer (or one like it) and you really meant it, then you can be certain that God has forgiven you of your sins, (see 1 John Chapter 1, verse 9) and that you have eternal life (see 1 John chapter 5, verse 13). You are now a Christian, a special friend of God.
To find out more about living as one of God’s special friends, talk to someone you know who is a Christian as soon as possible.
God bless you,
Scott
Dear God, I know that I have sinned and disobeyed you in many ways, and I am really sorry. Please forgive me and help me to obey you from now on. Thank you for loving me, and for sending Jesus to take the punishment for my sins on the cross. I receive him into my life now as my Lord and Saviour. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer (or one like it) and you really meant it, then you can be certain that God has forgiven you of your sins, (see 1 John Chapter 1, verse 9) and that you have eternal life (see 1 John chapter 5, verse 13). You are now a Christian, a special friend of God.
To find out more about living as one of God’s special friends, talk to someone you know who is a Christian as soon as possible.
God bless you,
Scott