🎧 Listen to Jordan & Quinn’s teacher guide
Learn how to teach the story of Noah’s obedience in a way that resonates with kids today. Find helpful insights on the Floating Ark craft and the Jesus connection, showing how the ark serves as a powerful picture of the safety and rescue we find in Christ.
Trusting God's Plan: The Story of Noah
(Genesis 6-7)
After Adam and Eve left the garden, the world began to grow, and the promise of a Rescuer became the only hope for fixing our broken relationship with God.
A long time ago, the world was filled with people, but their hearts were filled with sin. This made God very sad. He decided He would need to wipe the earth clean and start over, but there was one man who was different. Noah loved God and always tried to do what was right.
God gave Noah a big job: "Build a huge boat, an ark, to save your family and a pair of every kind of animal." God gave Noah specific instructions to use gopher wood and cover it with tar to keep the water out. Even though the ark was bigger than three football fields, Noah listened and obeyed exactly as he was told.
Once the ark was finished, Noah brought his wife, his three sons, and their wives inside. Then, the animals came two by two. After everyone was safely inside, God closed the door. For forty days and forty nights, it rained until the water covered even the highest mountains.
Inside the ark, Noah and the animals were safe. The great boat floated on the water until God sent a wind to dry up the earth. Finally, the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat. God had kept His promise, and a new beginning was waiting for the whole world.
A Curious Question
How did Noah know he could trust God's plan even when the sky was clear and everyone else was laughing?
Jesus Connection
The ark was the only way for Noah to be saved from the flood, and Jesus is the only way for us to be saved from sin. Just as the ark carried Noah safely through the storm, Jesus carries us safely to God. When we trust in Him, He becomes our safe place and our Rescuer. Noah’s ark points us to Jesus, God's great promise to forgive us and keep us close to Him forever.
Discussion Questions
- How do you think Noah felt when God asked him to build a massive ark before it even started to rain?
- This story shows us that God is serious about sin, but how does the ark also show us God’s great mercy?
- What is one way you can obey God this week, even if your friends or other people don't understand your choice?
“So What” What Can I do?
This week, I will trust God’s plan by choosing to obey Him even when it feels hard. Just as Noah stayed faithful while building the ark, I can show I love God by doing the right thing at school or home, even if no one else is watching.
Memorize God's Word
Genesis 6:8: “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”
Hand Motions:
- But Noah: Point thumbs to chest.
- found favor: Cup hands together and hold them out as if offering a gift.
- in the eyes of the Lord: Make "glasses" with your hands around your eyes, then point one finger up to the sky.
- Genesis 6:8: Hold up 6 fingers, then 8 fingers.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, Thank you for being a God of love and mercy. Thank you for making a way to save us, just like you saved Noah. Help us to be like Noah and follow you even when it's hard. Thank you for sending Jesus to be our safe ark. We love you. Amen.
Craft or Activity
Build a Floating Ark
Kids can make a simple floating ark from a carton to remember how God saved Noah's family and the animals.
Materials Checklist
Instructions
- Make sure the milk or juice carton is clean and dry.
- Cut a small opening in the top of the carton to represent the door of the ark.
- Cover the entire carton with brown construction paper, like wood on the ark. Use the glue to stick the paper on.
- Use markers or crayons to draw wood grain lines, windows, or other details on your ark.
- Add your animal stickers or cut-outs to the outside of the ark, showing them going "two by two."
- Fill a small container or bowl with water and see if your ark floats!
Effective Teaching Techniques
- Prep Shortcuts: Print out pre-made animal stickers or animal pictures for kids to color and cut out to save time.
- Activity Variation: Instead of building a floating ark, kids can create a diorama of the ark using a shoebox, clay animals, and cotton balls for clouds.
- Class Management: For a lively class, have the kids "act out" the animals going into the ark two by two. Make animal sounds and waddle or stomp as they line up.