Numbers 1, 2, and 3 — Counting with Our Hands

"God is not a God of disorder but of peace." — 1 Corinthians 14:33

God Loves Numbers!

Did you know that God uses numbers? When God made the world, He did it in a special order. He made things on Day 1, then Day 2, then Day 3, and so on. God counted the days because God is a God of order. That means everything He does has a plan.

Today we are going to learn about the first three numbers: 1, 2, and 3. These numbers help us count the wonderful things God has made!

The Number 1

Hold up one finger. Just one! Look at it. That is what 1 looks like when we count.

God made 1 sun to shine during the day. There is only one sun, and it gives light and warmth to the whole earth. God made 1 moon to glow at night. He made 1 earth for us to live on.

Now let us practice. Put 1 block on the table. Count it: "One." That is all! Just one block. The numeral looks like a straight line going down: 1.

``` How many apples?

[apple] Answer: 1 ```

Pick up 1 apple (or any fruit). Hold it in your hand. Say: "I have one apple." Now write the number 1 in the air with your finger. Start at the top and draw a straight line down. Good job!

The Number 2

Now hold up two fingers. One finger, and then one more. That gives us 2.

God made 2 great lights — the sun and the moon (Genesis 1:16). He made the sun for the daytime and the moon for the nighttime. Two lights, working together!

You have 2 eyes to see God's beautiful world. You have 2 ears to hear stories from the Bible. You have 2 hands to help others. God gave you pairs of things!

Put 2 blocks on the table. Point to each one as you count: "One... two." This is called one-to-one correspondence. That big phrase means you touch each thing and say one number for it. Touch and count — that is the rule!

``` One-to-one correspondence:

[block] [block] ^ ^ | | "1" "2" ```

The numeral 2 looks like a curvy slide. Start at the top, curve around, and slide to the right at the bottom.

The Number 3

Hold up three fingers. One, two, three!

In the Bible, the number 3 is very special. God is three persons in one: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. We call this the Trinity. On Day 3 of creation, God made dry land and all the plants and trees (Genesis 1:9-13). Flowers, grass, big oak trees, and little berry bushes — all on Day 3!

Put 3 blocks on the table. Point to each one and count: "One... two... three." Remember to touch each block as you count. Do not skip any, and do not count one twice!

The numeral 3 looks like two bumps stacked up. Start at the top, curve to the right, come back, and curve to the right again.

Let Us Practice Together

Get some small objects — blocks, buttons, coins, or cereal pieces. Now try these:

1. Make a group of 1 object. How many is that? One!
2. Make a group of 2 objects. Count them by touching each one.
3. Make a group of 3 objects. Count them by touching each one.

Now try it the other way. Someone says a number, and YOU make a group that big!

• "Show me 2!" — Put out 2 objects.
• "Show me 1!" — Put out 1 object.
• "Show me 3!" — Put out 3 objects.

Writing Our Numbers

Let us trace the numbers with our fingers in the air:

• 1: Straight line down. Easy!
• 2: Curve around and slide. Like a little slide at the playground!
• 3: Bump, bump. Two bumps on the right side.

Now try writing them on paper. Start big! You can use your whole arm to make big numbers, and then try smaller ones.

God's Order in Numbers

Numbers have an order. They always go: 1, then 2, then 3. They never get mixed up! That is because God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33). Just as God made the world in an orderly way — Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 — numbers always follow their special order.

``` The number line for 1, 2, and 3:

0---1---2---3 ```

When we learn to count, we are learning about the order God put into the world. Math is not something people made up. Math comes from God! He built numbers and patterns into everything He created.

A Prayer

Dear God, thank You for numbers. Thank You for making the world in such an orderly way. Help me learn to count 1, 2, and 3 today. Thank You for the 1 sun, the 2 great lights, and the 3 persons of the Trinity. Amen.