This lesson teaches children that Noah trusted God and obeyed Him even when everyone around him did not. It is a good fit for children ages 5 to 11, and it takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach with a short activity and prayer.
Big Idea
God saw that Noah trusted Him, and Noah did everything God asked, even when it was hard. When we trust God and obey Him, He takes care of us.
Memory Verse
Genesis 6:22
Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him.
(WEB)
Have children stand up and hold their arms out wide like a boat, then slowly nod their heads each time they say “Noah did all that God commanded.” Let them do the motion together three times so the words stick.
The Story: Genesis 6 for Kids
Long ago, people began to live all over the earth. Many of them did not love God. They were mean to each other, and they did bad things all day long. God looked down and was very sad about how they were acting.
But one man named Noah was different. Noah loved God and walked with Him every day. God looked at Noah and was pleased with him. God said, “I am going to make a great flood to cover the earth, but you, Noah, will be safe.”
God gave Noah a big job. He told Noah to build a huge ship called an ark, and he gave Noah the measurements to follow. Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Their family would help build the ark together, and it was going to take a very long time.
God also told Noah to bring two of every kind of animal into the ark, a male and a female, so they would stay alive. He told Noah to bring food for everyone. Noah could have worried or said it was too hard, but he did not. He listened carefully to God.
So Noah did exactly what God asked him to do. He built the ark, he gathered the animals, and he gathered the food. He did all that God commanded him, every single part of it.
Read It Together
Genesis 6:8
But Noah found favor in the LORD’s eyes.
(WEB)
Point out that God’s favor came to Noah because Noah was faithful. Ask the children to notice that God looked at Noah with kindness, even while the rest of the world was going wrong.
Genesis 6:9
This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God.
(WEB)
Show the children the two parts of this verse: Noah was righteous, and Noah walked with God. Explain that walking with God means spending time with Him every day, the way you walk side by side with a friend.
Genesis 6:18
But I will establish my covenant with you. You shall come into the ship, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.
(WEB)
Point out that God promised to keep Noah’s family safe, and that God keeps His promises. Let the children hear that God planned to save Noah and his whole family from the flood.
Talk About It
- What do you think Noah’s neighbors thought when they saw him building a giant boat?
- How do you think Noah felt when God told him what was going to happen?
- What is one thing God has asked you to do that was hard, and how can you do it?
- Why do you think God wanted Noah to bring two of every animal?
- How can you walk with God every day, the way Noah did?
Activity Ideas
Paper Ark Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a big ark with three levels, then fill the boat with two of their favorite animals, one male and one female. As they draw, talk about how Noah did what God asked, one step at a time.
Ark Walk Game
Mark a long path on the floor with masking tape or chairs to make an ark. Call out the names of animals, and have children walk in pairs, two by two, into the ark. Each time they reach the end, cheer for them and remind them that Noah obeyed God completely.
Take-Home Trust Card
You will need an index card and a marker for each child. Write “Noah did all that God commanded” on the card, and have the child decorate it. Encourage them to put it somewhere they will see each morning and to share one way they obeyed God that day at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God is holy and grieved by human wickedness, and yet He shows mercy through Noah. Noah’s faithfulness is a reminder that God works through ordinary people who trust Him. The flood story also points forward to God’s commitment to save and to keep His promises.
Be careful not to overstate the details of the flood or the Nephilim to young children, since the passage mentions them only briefly. Focus instead on Noah’s obedience and God’s faithfulness, which are clear and easy for children to grasp.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for Noah, who trusted You and did everything You asked. Help us to walk with You every day and to obey You even when it is hard. Thank You for keeping Your promises to us. Amen.
