New Skill Noah

Say: Did you know there were lots of people in the Bible who had to try new things so they could accomplish what God asked them to do? Today we’re going to learn about one of these people. His name was Noah.

When God made the world, everything was perfect.

(Stack your fists together.)

But after sin had entered it, God saw that the world had become filled with hurt and violence.

(With fists side-by-side, quickly break them apart.)

So, God spoke to one special man named Noah.

(Cup your hands around your mouth.)

‍“I am going to destroy the whole earth and everyone on it,” God said.

(Sweep your hands out in front of you quickly.)

“Get some wood and build a very, very large boat.”

(Cup your hands together and move them from side to side as if on waves.)

“Create rooms in it and cover it with tar inside and out. Make the boat three stories high and put a door on one side. I am going to send a flood to destroy everything!” God continued.

(Wiggle your fingers in the air downward like it’s raining.)

“Nothing will survive.”

‍(Sweep your hands out in front of you quickly.)

But I promise that you and your family will be kept safe in the boat.”

(Cup your hands together and move them from side to side as if on waves.)

‍God also told Noah to bring a male and female of every kind of animal on the boat with him.

(Hold up two fingers. Then, cup your hands together.)

“Store up enough food for you and your family and all the animals as well,” God said. Noah obeyed. He did everything God said to do.

‍(Walk in place.)

For forty days, the rain came down, and floodwaters rose.

(Wiggle your fingers in the air downward as if raining. Then, make a waving motion with your hand.)

But God didn’t forget about Noah, his family, or all the animals living inside the boat. The floodwaters began to give way to dry land, and God spoke to Noah.

(Cup your hands around your mouth.)

‍“Come out,” God told Noah. “Bring your family and all the animals out, too. Multiply and be fruitful.”

(Motion toward you.) And Noah obeyed.

(Open your hands in front of your face like a door. Then, walk in place.)

Say: That’s a great story because of how much faith Noah had to have to do what God asked him to do — but did you know Noah lived in a desert? That means God was telling Noah to do something he’d probably never done before. And most people in the area didn’t need a lot of boats, so they probably laughed at Noah when they saw him building this.

But God knew what He was doing — and because Noah was following God, he was able to be successful. Sometimes in our lives, God asks us to do things we’ve never done before. It can be scary, but He is faithful to lead us and give us specific instructions.

That way, we can do everything He asks us to do — just like Noah.

Lead your child in a moment of praise. Thank and celebrate God for always giving us the help we need each day.

Share the hope of God’s Word and pray together with your child.