This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises, and that the rainbow is His sign that He will never again flood the whole earth. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a story, a verse, and a short activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises. When He makes a promise, He remembers it, and He gave us the rainbow to remind us of His promise to never flood the whole earth again.
Memory Verse
Genesis 9:13
I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
(WEB)
Hold both arms up in a big curve over your head, like a rainbow. Then say the verse slowly while your arms move down, showing that the rainbow comes down from the sky to remind us of God’s promise.
The Story: Genesis 9 for Kids
After the flood ended, Noah and his family stepped out of the big boat, called the ark. Noah had been on the ark for a very long time with his wife, his three sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, their wives, and many animals. Now the ground was dry and the earth was ready for new life.
God blessed Noah and his sons. He told them to have many children and to fill the earth with people. He also told them that the animals would be afraid of people now, and that people could eat animals for food, but they must never eat the blood, because blood is precious and belongs to life.
Then God made a promise to Noah and to every living creature. God said, “I will never again send a flood to destroy the earth.” This promise is called a covenant, which means a special agreement that God makes and keeps.
God gave a sign to show His promise. He said, “I set my rainbow in the clouds.” Every time a rainbow shows up after rain, God remembers His promise. The rainbow is a reminder for us to trust Him.
After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard and made wine. One day he drank too much and fell asleep in his tent. His son Ham saw him and told his brothers. Shem and Japheth walked in backwards with a garment and covered their father kindly, without looking at him. Noah woke up and was sad about what had happened, and he lived for many more years.
Read It Together
Genesis 9:1
God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth.
(WEB)
Point out that God blessed Noah and his sons before He gave them any rules. Explain that God’s first word to them was a blessing, and that children can see God’s kindness at the start of this new beginning.
Genesis 9:11
I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.”
(WEB)
Ask children to say in their own words what God promised here. Help them see that God says there will never be another flood to destroy the earth, and that this promise is for everyone.
Genesis 9:16
The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.”
(WEB)
Explain that God says He will look at the rainbow to remember His promise. Remind children that God’s memory is perfect, so when He remembers, He always keeps His word.
Talk About It
- What did God promise Noah after the flood?
- Why do you think God chose a rainbow to be His sign?
- Can you tell about a time when someone kept a promise to you?
- What is one promise God has made that you can trust today?
- How can you show someone that you keep your promises?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Rainbow Craft
You will need a paper plate, crayons or markers, and cotton balls. Have children draw seven colored arcs on the plate, from red on the outside to purple on the inside. Then glue cotton balls at the ends of the rainbow as clouds, and talk about how God set His rainbow in the clouds as a sign of His promise.
Rainbow Walk Game
You will need a long rope or masking tape on the floor and some scarves in different colors. Lay the rope in a curve to make a rainbow path. Children walk along the rainbow one at a time, and each time they step on a colored scarf they say, “God keeps His promises.” This helps them move and remember the lesson together.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small box or envelope. Ask each child to draw a small rainbow on the card and write or draw one thing God promises, like being with us or loving us. Children take the card home and place it where they will see it each day, as a reminder that God keeps His word.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s covenant with Noah reaches to every living creature, not only to people. It reveals God’s faithful character, who chooses to bind Himself to a promise and then graciously gives a visible sign of it. The rainbow is a lasting reminder of God’s mercy after judgment, and it points forward to the wider story of God’s faithfulness across Scripture.
Be careful not to overstate what the rainbow itself does. The text says God looks at the rainbow to remember His covenant, which is God’s act and not the sign’s power. Avoid teaching children that rainbows make God remember, and avoid suggesting that every storm will never bring hard things. Focus instead on the promise and the faithfulness of God.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping every promise You make to us. Thank You for the rainbow that reminds us of Your love and faithfulness. Help us trust You every day, and help us keep our word to others too. Amen.
