Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: toy animals (especially pairs), boats/ark toy if you have one, blocks.
- Table: coloring page of an ark with animals and crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear about Noah’s Ark.”
- “God told Noah to build a big boat.”
- “God kept Noah safe. Jesus keeps us safe in His love.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Pick 2–3 songs, repeat them often through the year.
Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions:
Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”
Repeat 2–3 times.
Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
- Hold hands like a book on “The B-I-B-L-E”.
- Hug the “book” on “Yes, that’s the book for me”.
- Step forward and stomp gently on “I stand alone on the Word of God”.
Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions:
- point to self on “me,”
- hug on “loves,”
- hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”
Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”
Repeat 2–3 times.
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Have: a toy boat/box for “ark,” several animal toys in pairs.
a) Show Noah, the ark, and animals
Hold up the “ark” (toy boat or box).
b) Short lesson paragraphs (very simple version of Genesis 6–9)
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Say it several times: loud, whisper, with kids pretending to go “inside the ark” by hugging their knees.
a) Show Noah, the ark, and animals
Hold up the “ark” (toy boat or box).
- “The Bible tells us about a man named Noah. Noah loved God and listened to Him. God told Noah to build a very big boat called an ark.”
- “God told Noah to bring animals into the ark—two of every kind. Two lions, two cows, two birds, and more. God was going to send a big flood, and the ark would keep Noah, his family, and the animals safe.”
b) Short lesson paragraphs (very simple version of Genesis 6–9)
- “People on the earth were doing many bad things and not listening to God. But Noah loved God. God told Noah to build the ark, even though it had never rained like that before. Noah obeyed God. He built the ark just like God said.”
- “When the ark was ready, Noah, his family, and all the animals went inside. Then it began to rain. It rained and rained and rained! The water covered the ground, but Noah and the animals were safe inside the ark because God was taking care of them.”
- “After a long time, the rain stopped and the water went down. Noah and his family came out of the ark. God put a rainbow in the sky to show His promise: He would never again send a flood to cover the whole earth. The rainbow reminds us that God keeps His promises.”
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “God kept Noah safe. Jesus keeps me safe.”
Motions:
- Wrap arms like a hug around yourself on “kept Noah safe” (hug the air for Noah).
- Point to self and hug on “Jesus keeps me safe.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, with kids pretending to go “inside the ark” by hugging their knees.
d) Jesus connection
Hold the cross picture or place your hand on the Bible.
“Noah and his family were safe inside the ark. The ark kept them safe from the flood. The Bible tells us that Jesus is like a safe place for us. When we trust Jesus, He keeps us safe in His love and forgives our sins. God kept His promise to Noah, and God kept His promise to send Jesus to rescue us.”
Hold the cross picture or place your hand on the Bible.
“Noah and his family were safe inside the ark. The ark kept them safe from the flood. The Bible tells us that Jesus is like a safe place for us. When we trust Jesus, He keeps us safe in His love and forgives our sins. God kept His promise to Noah, and God kept His promise to send Jesus to rescue us.”
Craft – “Noah’s Ark with Animals”
Goal:
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- Simple ark picture with animals, plus Jesus safety phrase.
Steps
- Give each child a background paper.
- Help them glue the ark shape near the bottom/middle of the page.
- Let them add animal stickers or draw a few animals “inside” or on top of the ark, encouraging them to make pairs.
- Add the phrase at the bottom or top:à
- “God kept Noah safe. Jesus keeps me safe.”
- They can draw rain and then a rainbow above the ark if there’s time.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “You are making Noah’s ark with animals inside. God kept Noah, his family, and the animals safe in the ark. In the same way, Jesus keeps us safe in His love. When you feel afraid or when you do wrong, you can talk to Jesus. He loves you and takes care of you.”
- When finished, invite them to “read” their booklet by pointing at each page while you say:
- “God kept Noah safe. Jesus keeps me safe.”
Supplies
- Blue or white paper (background).
- Pre-cut ark shape (simple brown half-oval or boat).
- Small animal stickers or pre-drawn animal pairs, or kids draw simple animals.
- Glue sticks.
- Crayons/markers.
- Label/space to write: “God kept Noah safe. Jesus keeps me safe.”
