FAITH QUEST

This lesson plan is copyrighted and belongs to the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian,

Cary North Carolina. It may be used for non-profit uses only.

NOAH AND THE FLOOD

The story of Noah and the Ark covers four chapters of Genesis (6-9). This is too much to “read” or have the kids read, so particular parts of the story will be highlighted in various workshops.

GOOD NEWS

Scripture: Genesis 7:11-8:5 (This is the section of the story that describes the rain and the flood, the end of the rain and the boat coming to rest on the mountain.)

Memory Verse/Key Verse: Genesis 7:15-16, “Noah took a male and a female of every living creature with him, just as God had told him to do. And when they were all in the boat, God closed the door.”

Concepts: God is amazing.

God makes promises.

God communicates with people.

God is unhappy when we do bad things.

Noah was a good man.

Noah obeyed God.

Objectives: The students will take part in an interactive storytelling lesson. They will hear about and experience some of the above listed concepts. Their participation in the storytelling will help them to commit the story to memory, as well as develop a better understanding of why the story is important to us what ‘lessons’ does it teach?

Discussion and question/answer will help the students be able to sequence the story, draw connections from the story to their own lives, and reflect on what it means to obey God.

Procedure:

1. Welcome the kids. Make sure that everyone is in the right classroom! Kids will either already have name tags on, or will receive a nametag from their shepherd as they arrive. Make sure that you know everyone’s name and greet him/her individually.

2. Start the “lesson time” with prayer. Ask for volunteers, but plan on praying yourself. Be sure to thank God for each person there and ask God to be with you as you learn about the promises God makes and help you to understand how you are part of those promises.

Application:

1. Begin storytelling! Use a flannelboard to tell the story of Noah. As you tell the story or read your favorite bible story, ask the children to come up and add flannels to the board.

2. Discussion and Question/Answer. Spend a few minutes after the storytelling to review what the kids just heard, experienced. Ask questions that are fact recall type questions and questions that require the kids to go beyond the story.

Ask what part of the story they liked best, least, etc. Have they had a time when they found it hard to obey their parents, teacher, God? How did it feel? Younger kids will need more teacher guidance for these type questions, but it is important that they be presented with these types of questions as well!

3. Puzzle time. Use a large floor puzzle of Noah and the Ark. Hand out a large piece or two to each child. Tell the children that we are going to build the puzzle together. How are they going to figure out how to start? Ask them to work together.

4. Clean up! Involve all kids in this so that you will have time to share together in the closing.

Reflection Time:

The shepherds will have the students’ journals. Each child should spend a few minutes reflecting on what this workshop was about, what they did, etc. You might want to pose a “story starter” to help them write Write part of the Noah story from the perspective of one of the animals. How did the giraffe feel while on the ark? What sort of problems might he/she have?

Some of the younger kids might want to draw a scene from their favorite of the story they heard whilst in storytelling.

Closing:

Prayer Have the kids join you in a circle prayer, song or responsive reading.

You could also have them read/recite the key verse with you (if it is long it should be printed on banner/board, large enough for all to read or on slips of paper that each child is given).

.

No matter what you choose to do as a closing, be sure to end with prayer and affirm your joy in having each student there. Make sure they know they are a part of God’s promise that was made as long ago as Noah’s time and that God made other promises in the Bible that they will learn about as they continue to grow in their faith and knowledge of the Bible, God and Jesus.

Tidy and Dismissal Ask the children for help with any clean-up needed. The Shepherd should collect name-tags and journals.

Teacher preparation in advance:

1. Prepare an opening prayer in case nobody volunteers to pray.

2. Prepare your story. Gather any props, pictures, scenes you might need.

3. Decide how you want to close the lesson. Prepare a prayer or use one of the group suggestions above. Closing with a song would also be good.

Materials:

Any props needed for storytelling

Bibles

Flannel board

Giant floor puzzle of Noah (available through the internet or at most Christian stores.

Paper strip with Key verse printed on it (?)

Bible story book