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 ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and one activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises. When He makes a promise, He remembers it, and the rainbow reminds us of that.
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)
Have the children hold both arms up in a big curve, like a rainbow, then sweep them down slowly as they say the words together. Repeat it three times so the motion helps them remember the verse.
The Story: Genesis 9 for Kids
After the great flood ended, Noah stepped out of the big boat, called the ark, onto dry ground. He and his wife, along with his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives, had lived inside the ark with many animals for a long time. Now they could breathe fresh air and see the sky again.
God spoke kindly to Noah and his sons. He blessed them and told them to have many children and fill the earth. He also said that people and animals could now eat plants, and that people must never harm each other, because every person is made in God’s image.
Then God made a promise. He said, “I will never again send a flood to destroy all the earth.” God wanted Noah to know this promise would last forever, not just for a little while. He promised this to every living creature, including the birds, the cows, and the wild animals.
To remind everyone of this promise, God put a beautiful rainbow in the clouds. When the rainbow shines in the sky, God says He remembers His promise. The rainbow is a sign of God’s faithful love, and it appears in the sky after rain.
The story also tells about a sad day when Noah drank too much wine and fell asleep in his tent. His son Ham saw him, and his brothers Shem and Japheth covered their father carefully without looking at him. When Noah woke up, he spoke about what had happened. Noah then lived for many more years, and the story ends with his death.
Read It Together
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)
Point out that God says He will never again send a flood to destroy the earth. Ask the children to repeat the promise in their own words, and remind them that God is the one who makes it.
Genesis 9:14-15
14 When I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, 15 I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
(WEB)
Show how God says the rainbow appears when clouds come, and that He remembers His promise. Explain that the rainbow is a reminder for God and for us that He keeps His word.
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)
Point out that God says He will look at the rainbow to remember the everlasting covenant. Talk about how God never forgets His promises, even when we forget things.
Talk About It
- What did God promise Noah after the flood ended?
- Why do you think God chose a rainbow to be the sign of His promise?
- Who else did God include in His promise, besides Noah and his family?
- When you see a rainbow, what can it remind you about God?
- Can you think of a time someone kept a promise to you, and how did that make you feel?
Activity Ideas
Paint a Rainbow Promise
You will need white paper, paper plates or a rainbow stencil, crayons or washable paints, and a cup of water. Have each child draw a large arc on the paper, then color the stripes in rainbow order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Ask them to write or draw one promise God keeps on the back.
Rainbow Ark Race
Clear a space on the floor and place a few cardboard boxes or pillows to form a boat shape. Call out animal names, and have children hop, crawl, or waddle into the ark two by two, like Noah’s animals. End by having everyone stand up with arms curved over their heads like a rainbow and shout, “God keeps His promises!”
Rainbow Reminder Jar
You will need a clear jar, colored paper strips in rainbow colors, and a pen. Each day for a week, have the child write one thing God has promised or done for them on a strip and drop it into the jar. Gather the family at the end of the week to read the strips together and thank God for His faithfulness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God’s covenant with Noah is a gracious promise made to all living creatures, not only to humans. God takes the initiative, speaks first, and sets the rainbow as a sign that He will remember His word. The story also shows that even faithful people can fall into failure, and that the account of Ham and his brothers records these events honestly as part of the larger story.
Avoid suggesting to children that rainbows appear only when God is remembering a promise, or that bad things happen to people because they have sinned. Keep the focus on God’s faithful love and His steady promise, and handle the story of Noah’s drunkenness gently, without making it a lesson about punishment.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us. Thank You for the rainbow that reminds us of Your love and faithfulness. Help us to trust You every day, just like Noah did. Amen.
