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1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 1, Session3: Noah and the Ark

2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

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TEACHER BIBLE STUDY God is serious about sin. Because God is holy, He cannot be around sin. He hates sin, and He

will not leave sin unpunished. As the earth grew more populated, Scripture describes a

deplorable situation: “Man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth and … every scheme his

mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time” (Genesis 6:5).

God planned to punish the sinful people by starting over. He planned to send a flood to wipe out

everything on the earth. God is just, and He is also loving. God chose to save one man: Noah.

Even though sin was rampant, God recognized Noah as a righteous individual. One of the most

ringing endorsements of Noah is “Noah walked with God.”

God chose Noah to build an ark to save Noah, his immediate family, and male and female pairs of

animals. Imagine the taunting that Noah and his family may have received. Noah remained

faithful and stayed true to the task God had given him. When the ark was complete, God poured

out His wrath on humanity by sending the flood. Because God is holy and cannot allow sin, He

must punish sin. He did so dramatically in this story.

After saving them, God issued a covenant to Noah, his family, and all inhabitants of the earth for

all time. God gave the sign of a rainbow to ratify His covenant. When people see the rainbow, it

reminds them of the covenant God made with Noah and everyone after him.

God is the great deviser of rescue plans. Just as God chose to save Noah, He had an even greater

plan: to save all people from the punishment for sin by sending His Son, Jesus. Instead of killing

many and saving one man, God would sacrifice one man and save many. Pray that the kids you

teach would hear the gospel this week and trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Noah and the Ark

Bible Passage: Genesis 6:5–9:17

Big Picture Question: Why does sin separate people from God? God is holy and separate from sin.

Key Passage: Genesis 1:27

Unit Christ Connection: God knew we would sin, and Jesus, our Creator, came to redeem us and

protect us from the wrath of God by suffering for us.

Transition Time

Welcome time

Activity sheet/Table Centers

Session starter (10 minutes)



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Lesson

Countdown

Introduce the session (1 minute)

Timeline Map (1 minute)

Big picture question (1 minute)

Sing (5 minutes)

Key passage (3 minutes)

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Discussion starter video (6 minutes)

Prayer (3 minutes)

Table Time

Timeline map (1 minute)

Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

Noah and the Ark

Genesis 6:5–9:17

One day God looked at all the people on earth and saw they were choosing to sin. It was so bad

that God was sad that He made people. God wanted people to have a relationship with Him, but

the people did not want to know and obey God. Noah was different than all of those people

because he was a righteous man. Noah was a descendant of Seth, Adam and Eve’s son, and Noah

followed God.

Because the world was so sinful, God had to punish the people for their sin. Sin separates

people from God because God is holy. To save Noah from this punishment, God instructed him

to build an ark of gopher wood. The ark was to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.

It would have rooms on the inside. God told Noah how to build the roof, where to put the door,

and all the other details he needed to build the ark.

God shared with Noah that He would punish sin by sending a flood, and only Noah and his

family would live. God established a special covenant with Noah; He would save Noah and his

family. God also gave Noah instructions to bring animals into the ark. For most of the animals

Noah brought one male and one female into the ark. Some animals God called clean and Noah

brought seven males and seven females of the clean animals on board. Clean animals were

animals that people were allowed to offer as a sacrifice to God, and after the flood they were

allowed to eat the meat of a clean animal. God instructed Noah to put every kind of food that

Noah’s family and the animals would eat on the ark, too. Noah obeyed everything God instructed

him to do.



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Next God told Noah to load all the animals, food, and his family onto the ark because God was

going to send rain. It would rain 40 days and 40 nights. This rain would cause a flood that would

wipe out everything on earth.

After Noah, his family, and the animals entered the ark, God shut them inside. Noah’s family

was protected as the waters rose and covered the entire earth. The high mountains were

completely covered by the water. Everything on dry land died. Only Noah and those in the ark

lived. For 150 days the water completely covered the earth.

But God remembered Noah and his family, so He sent a wind and the water began to go away.

After another 150 days on the ark, the tops of the mountains were visible. The ark rested on the

mountains of Ararat. After 40 days Noah opened the ark’s window and sent out a raven. The

raven flew back and forth until the waters dried up. So Noah sent out a dove, but the dove could

not find a place to rest, so she returned to the ark. After seven more days, Noah sent the dove out

again, but this time she returned with an olive leaf. Noah knew that the water had gone down

from the lower areas of land. After another week Noah sent the dove out, and this time she did

not return. Noah opened the ark and saw that the ground was drying.

When the ground was dry, God told Noah to bring everyone and every animal out of the ark.

Noah built an altar and gave an offering to the Lord. God was pleased with Noah’s offering and

promised Noah that He would never completely flood the earth again. God told Noah and his

family to spread out over the earth and fill it with people. God gave Noah a special sign of the

covenant He made with him. God placed a rainbow in the sky, so every time Noah and his family

saw the rainbow it was a reminder that God remembered the covenant He made. The covenant

was an everlasting covenant that God would always keep.

Christ Connection: The story of the flood shows us how serious God is about sin. He will not

leave sin unpunished. But the story of Noah also shows us how loving God is. He provided a

rescue plan for one righteous man—Noah. And the rescue was extended to Noah’s family. This

story points ahead to a greater rescue! Jesus, the only perfectly righteous person, came to take

the punishment for sin. We trust His act of obedience and are saved from the punishment our sin

deserves.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Noah and the Ark






Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to

your group.



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Arriving Activity: Connect

Ask the kids the following questions as they enter the room.

Say • What is your favorite animal? Why?

• Have you ever been to a zoo? Where?

• Have you ever been on a boat? If so what kind?

• What is your favorite kind of weather?

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities)

“Matching Animals” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid

markers, colored pencils, crayons

Guide boys and girls to complete the activity sheets.

Say • Today we are going to learn why a bunch of animals ended up on a big boat.

Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Same and opposite

In this game the leader will call out a physical characteristic followed by the word “same” or

“opposite.” If you say “opposite,” each child tries to find one other child with an opposite

characteristic. If you say “same,” each child tries to find someone that has the same

characteristic. For example you may say: “eye color, same.” Each kid must look for someone

with the same eye color. If you call out “opposite,” each child must find someone with a different

eye color. The first matched pair to raise their hands wins. Other characteristics include: hair

color, shoe size, shoe color, shoe type, clothing color, clothing type, height, and gender.

Say • Some things are alike and some things are opposites. God and holy are alike. God and sin

are opposites. God is holy and separate from sin.

Option 2: 3-D paper plate rainbow paper plate, 1 per kid

crayons

scissors

tape or stapler

Give each child a paper plate. Demonstrate the following steps to complete the 3-D rainbow.

• Flip the plate so you are looking at the bottom of the plate.

• Fold the plate in half.

• Cut the folded line, leaving two half plates.

• Color the arc of both halves like a rainbow on what would have been the bottom of the plate.

• Cut the half circles out of the middle of the two plate halves.

• Staple or tape the two arcs together with the rainbows on the outside.

Once completed the kids should have a rainbow that stands up on its own. If not, trim the ends to

balance it.

Say • The rainbow is a reminder of a very special promise God made. We’ll learn more about

that promise today.



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Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Noah and the Ark






Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship)

Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and

set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute) suitcase

binoculars

safari hat

raincoat or umbrella

[Large group leader enters with a suitcase, binoculars, a safari hat, and a raincoat or umbrella.]

Leader • So far we’ve watched as God created everything, and we’ve seen the mess Adam and

Eve made in the garden by causing sin to enter the world. I can tell you that today it’s going to

be a zoo out there, and there is a 100 percent chance of rain. How many of you like rain?

Flying through rain and storms is an extra challenge for any pilot flying a plane. Today’s flight

will probably get a little rocky, but it could be worse. We could be on a big boat.

Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review)

Leader • Let’s look at our map and see where we are off to next. We went from “God Created

the World and People” to “Sin Entered the World.” Ah, here we go. It’s “Noah and the Ark.”

After Adam and Eve left the garden, people were not very nice, and they completely forgot

about God. That is, everyone except for one man.

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: Why does sin separate people from God? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Grab your Bible, which tells us God’s flight plan. If you have it, wave it in the air.

Great! Last week we learned what sin is. Sin is breaking God’s law and separates people from

God. Today’s big picture question is: Why does sin separate people from God? It all comes

back to who God is and why sin is so bad.



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Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “You Are God Alone” (on provided DVD)

Leader • God knew we would sin, and He knew it would separate us from Him, but He had a

plan to rescue us. From the very beginning God planned to offer us salvation, and that should

make us want to sing and praise Him.

Sing together “You Are God Alone.”

Key passage (3 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Genesis 1:27 (provided)

Worship Song: “In His Image” (on provided DVD)

Leader • Our flights have changed the last few weeks, but one thing has remained the same, our

key passage. Does anyone remember what verse it is?

Show the slide or poster of this unit’s key passage, Genesis 1:27. Lead the kids to read the verse

together.

Leader • Sometimes singing something makes it easier to remember, so let’s add music and sing

together.

Sing together “In His Own Image.”

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “Noah and the Ark” video (on provided DVD)

Bibles, 1 per kid

Leader • Everyone open your Bibles to Genesis 6. The word genesis means “origin.” Genesis

tells us what happened first. Genesis is also the first book of the Bible in the division or part of

the Bible called “Law.” Does anyone remember the names of the other books of Law?

(Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

Choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided, or show “Noah and

the Ark.”

Leader • The people were sinful, so God could not have a relationship with them because He is

holy. Sin is the opposite of holy. God is holy because He is separate from His creation and is

always perfect and right. Why does sin separate people from God? God is holy and separate

from sin. Noah was a man who tried to live a holy life, and he spent time with God. Noah

found favor with God. God graciously saved him and his family, along with some of every

type of animal, from the flood. God made a covenant, a special promise, to never flood the

earth again.

Ask the following review questions:

• Why did God decide to destroy the earth? (People were wicked or sinned all the time, Genesis

6:5-7)

• What made Noah different? (He was right before God and had a relationship with God,

Genesis 6:9)

• How many animals of each kind did Noah bring into the ark? (one pair of unclean animals

and seven pairs of clean animals, Genesis 7:2-3)

• What covenant did God make with Noah? (to never flood the entire earth again, Genesis 9:11)

• Who came to rescue us from sin? (Jesus)



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Discussion starter video (6 minutes) “Right or Wrong” video (on provided DVD)

Big Picture Question: Why does sin separate people from God? - 11x17 poster provided

“The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me” – 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Do you ever struggle to do what’s right? Watch our in-flight video, and see if you

would make the right choice.

Play “Right or Wrong” video.

Leader • What should Brian do? Is doing what’s right sometimes unpopular? Did that stop

Noah from doing what was right? Which decision would make God happy? Why? Why does

sin separate people from God? God is holy and separate from sin. Sin and God can never go

together. That’s not who God is. The only way we can live in ways that please God is by

trusting in Jesus.

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Leader • As we touch back down on the runway, it’s time to see if you’ve figured out the answer

to today’s question. Why does sin separate people from God? God is holy and separate from

sin.

Allow the girls to ask the question and the boys to answer. Reverse it with the boys asking the

girls. Tip: This is a great segway to sharing how kids can become a Christian. If you choose to, see the guide included with

this lesson for help. A copy of “The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me” poster is displayed in your classroom.

Prayer (3 minutes) Before transitioning to small groups, make any necessary announcements and lead the kids in

prayer. When you pray, acknowledge God’s holiness and ask Him to help the kids realize how

sin harms them and their relationship with God.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

Insights for Large Group Leaders The story of Noah highlights the extreme level of sin in the world after the fall. Although God’s

covenant protects the earth from a complete flood, we must still face consequences for our sin.

One of the consequences of sin is that we are separated from God. You may choose to present or

review “The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me” during your Lesson time today. Consider the

suggestions below to guide kids to know and love God.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (11x17 poster provided) Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good

news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following

guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge

of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from her Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or

Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.



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We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey

God (Romans 3:23). The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin.

Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death (Romans 6:23).

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son Jesus, the

perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something

we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians

2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and

rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for

eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review

these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s

already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that

your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Noah and the Ark






Bible story review (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid

Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review)

Big Picture Question: Why does sin separate people from God? (11x17 poster provided in classroom)

Tip: If you have kids who are comfortable reading, assign each passage to a child. Be ready to assist as kids this age

may struggle.

Ask the kids where the Book of Genesis is in the Bible. (first book) See if they can remember

any of the other stories in Genesis they’ve studied the last couple of weeks. (God Created the

World and People; Sin Entered the World.) Ask if they can name the other books of Law.

(Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) Use the small group visual pack to show kids where

today’s Bible story is on the timeline.

Guide each child to open her Bible to Genesis 6. Read the following passages and ask the

questions provided.

1. Genesis 6:9-13

Say • Why did God choose to destroy all living things? (sin, wickedness) Why did God choose to

save Noah? (He was righteous, blameless, and walked with God.)

2. Genesis 7:1-5

Say • How many animals did Noah take into the ark? (one pair of every unclean, seven pairs of



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every clean) Why were more of certain animals taken? (possibly to be used for food after

the flood or as offerings to God)

3. Genesis 8:5-13

Say • What two birds did Noah send out to see if the water had gone down? (raven, dove) How

did he know the water was finally all gone? (The dove did not return.)

4. Genesis 9:12-15

Say • What covenant or promise did God make with Noah? (to never flood the entire earth

again) What symbol did God say would be a sign of His promise? (rainbow) God chose

to save Noah because God is gracious to people who don’t deserve His love. We still see

the evidence of His grace in every rainbow.

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Say • Can anyone tell me the answer to the big picture question? Why does sin separate people

from God? God is holy and separate from sin.

LARGE GROUP REVIEW

AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Created in the Image of God” Instructions

key passage slide or poster (11x17 poster provided)

dry erase board and markers (optional)

small mirror

Make sure the key passage, Genesis 1:27, is visible to each child, either as the printed poster or

written on a whiteboard. Read the verse together.

Say • When Noah lived, people seemed to forget that they were created in the image of God.

Only Noah did what was right and spent time with God. Let’s love and honor God like

Noah did, and be thankful for God’s grace as we seek to honor Him. God is holy and

separate from sin.

Form a circle and give one of the kids a small mirror. Guide them to pass it around, allowing

every kid time to look at it. Remind them that the person they see in the mirror was created to be

in the image of God, not how they look on the outside but who they are on the inside. They can

think, love, make decisions, and know right and wrong. Direct the kids to pass the mirror while

each person says one word of the verse at a time until the verse is completed.

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Overboard “You Are God Alone” or other worship music in your classroom

masking tape (optional)

Set up chairs in the shape of a boat. If you don’t have chairs, use tape to mark spaces on the

floor. Provide enough spaces or chairs for all but one kid. Use “You Are God Alone” or other

worship music in your classroom to play musical chairs. Each time the music stops, the kids

scramble to get a seat. Tell the child left standing that he is “overboard.” Repeat, allowing all the



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kids to play again. Continue playing as time allows.

Say • When you failed to get a seat, you were separated from the boat. When you fail to do

what’s right, you are separated from God. Why does sin separate people from God? God

is holy and separate from sin. However, Jesus came to take the punishment for sin and

save us.

Option 2: Animal boat paper plate, 1 per kid

scissors

crayons or markers

stapler or tape

animal crackers

stickers (optional)

Give each child a paper plate. Demonstrate how to flip the plate over, so you are looking at the

bottom of the plate. Guide the kids to fold the plate in half. Cut the folded line, leaving two half

plates. Staple or tape the outer curved edges together with the bottom of the halves facing out,

forming a boat with a pocket. Decorate the boat with crayons, markers, or stickers. Give out

animal crackers and allow the kids to put them in their boats to eat now or later.

Say • God chose to use a boat to save Noah and the animals. Sin separated the others from God.

Why does sin separate people from God? God is holy and separate from sin. However,

Jesus came to take the punishment for sin and save us.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes)

Say • What is our question and answer for today? Why does sin separate people from God? God

is holy and separate from sin.

If time remains, take any prayer requests the children might want to share. End the session with

prayer, thanking God for people like Noah. Pray for each child by name and ask God to help

each of them know and love Him, like Noah did.

Clean-up room.

Instructions: Help the 10 animals on the ark fi nd their match from the

animals outside the ark. Draw a line between the matching animals.

In the BeginningUNIT 1 • Session 3 • Younger Kids Activity Pages

005508647__2012_FA

L.indd 53/15/12 12:41 P

M

In the BeginningSession Title: Noah and the Ark


Big Picture Question for preschoolers: Why does sin

separate people from God? God is holy.

Big Picture Question for kids: Why does sin separate

people from God? God is holy and separate from sin.


Christ Connection: The story of the flood shows us how serious God is about sin. He will not leave sin unpunished. But the story of Noah also shows us how loving God is. He provided a rescue plan for one righteous man—Noah. The rescue was extended to Noah’s family. This story points ahead to a greater rescue! Jesus, the only perfectly righteous person, came to take the punishment for sin. We trust His act of obedience and are saved from the punishment our sin deserves.

UNIT 1 • Session 3© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources.

OK tO print

Play “Animal Charades.” Allow each family member to draw a picture of his or her favorite

animal in the space below or on the back of the page. Talk about how God saved Noah; talk

about God’s plan to save us, too.

Family Journal Page

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In the Beginning

So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

TM

UNIT 1 • Key Passage Poster (ESV)© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources.

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY - Squarespace · PDF fileTEACHER BIBLE STUDY ... God is the great deviser...

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