Noah’s Ark and the Flood
Scripture: Genesis 6:9-9:17
Theme: God judges sin but saves those who trust Him
Age Group: Nursery (Ages 0-2)
Overview
“God Loves You Too!” “God loves you, and He always saves!” Little ones, God saw that the world was sad because of sin, so He made a big boat called the Ark to protect those who trusted Him! Just like Noah, we can trust in God’s love every day, and He will take care of us. “Thank you, God!” Keep it gentle, sing a simple song, and let them hug a stuffed animal to the Ark!
Bible Story
“Noah and God’s Big Love”
God loved the earth, but people were very mean and did not listen to Him. One man, Noah, was kind and did what God asked.
God told Noah, “I will make a big boat and fill it with animals. One family will stay safe!” Noah listened and built the ark with his family.
God sent rain and flooded the whole earth, everything was covered in water! But Noah and his family were safe in the ark. God kept them safe.
After the rain stopped, God said, “I will never again flood the earth.” He made a rainbow in the sky to remind us that He loves us and will always protect us!
Why this story matters: God loves you, just like He loved Noah. Even when you make mistakes, God forgives and keeps you safe, just like He did for Noah and his family.
Activities
- Talk about God’s love: Read Genesis 6:9, 9:17 in a baby-friendly way. Say, “God loves you so much! Just like He saved Noah and his family, He loves YOU too!”
- Color the jar: Give each child a small jar and crayons. Ask, “What colors make you feel happy? God’s love is like happy colors!”
- Decorate with love: Let them glue stickers (rainbow, animals, or “God loves you” words) and draw a tiny ark or animals on their jar.
- Share & hold: Each child can hold up their jar and say, “God loves me, just like He saved Noah!”
- 2. “Ark Animal Rescue”
- Story time: Hold up a Bible and say, “Once, God told Noah to build a big boat called an ark. He saved animals and his family!” Say, “God loves all animals and protects them!”
- Set up the “ark”: Place a cardboard/plate on the floor and draw a little boat with crayons. Say, “This is our ark! Let’s help the animals get in!”
- Animal rescue: Give each child a toy animal. They take turns holding it up and saying, “God saves animals! Thank You!” (Let them glue “seal marks” if using glitter glue.)
- Sing a song: Sing “God loves you! God saves you!” to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It” while they wave their “animals” above the ark.
Discussion Questions
- “God loves you very much!
- What do you think Noah did when he knew God would save him and his family?
- Can you tell me a tiny part of your heart that says, ‘Thank you, God’?”
- “God is like a big, gentle boat!
- How did Noah and his family stay safe on the ark?
- Can you show me your hands like little waves, how do you think God made the water part?”
- “God saw Noah and loved him!
- Who else do you think God loves, just like Noah?
- What can you do today to be kind and safe, just like Noah?”
- “The ark was full of animals!
- God made sure everyone was safe.
- How can you be a little ‘ark’ for someone who might feel scared or lost?”
Prayer Focus
“Dear God, we love You so much! You are our safe place, just like Noah’s ark was for the animals. You love us, even when we’re small and scared, just like You saved everyone on the ark. Thank You, God! Amen!” (Short, gentle, and easy to repeat: “You love us! You save us!”)
Missions Spotlight
Flood stories exist in over 200 cultures worldwide, from the Aboriginal Australians to the indigenous peoples of North America. Missionaries working with the Hmong people of Southeast Asia have found the shared flood memory opens conversations about God’s judgment and salvation.
To the Cross
Noah’s ark saved those who entered it from the flood. In the same way, Jesus is the only way of salvation from the judgment of sin. Just as God provided the ark, God provides Jesus, we simply need to trust and enter in.
Teaching Tips
- Adapt Questions for Different Ages
- Use Songs for Engagement
- Incorporate Repetition and Play
- Create Small Groups for Practice
Family Take-Home
Here’s a quick summary for families: The Bible tells the story of Noah, a man who obeyed God’s warning about a great flood and built an ark to save his family and animals. God promised to never again destroy the earth with floodwaters, and He opened the ark on the seventh day, revealing Noah and his family had safely survived. Perfect for a quick read before a busy Sunday morning!