Story 3 · Ages 4–12
Noah's Ark - God Saves Noah
God floods the earth but saves Noah, his family, and the animals in a giant ark.
Many years after Adam and Eve, the world became filled with people who did bad things. They forgot about God and were mean to each other. God was very sad to see this.
The story
But there was one man named Noah who loved God and tried to do what was right. God said to Noah, "I'm going to send a great flood to wash away all the bad things. But I want to save you and your family. Build a huge boat called an ark."
God told Noah exactly how to build it: "Make it 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall. Put three floors inside with lots of rooms. And make it waterproof!"
Noah obeyed God, even though it seemed strange! There wasn't even any rain yet! People laughed at Noah. "Why are you building a boat?" they teased. But Noah kept building.
It took many, many years, but Noah finished the ark. Then God said, "Now bring two of every kind of animal into the ark - and seven of some animals. Bring birds, lions, elephants, giraffes, rabbits, and every creature!"
Can you imagine? Elephants walking up the ramp! Giraffes ducking their heads to go inside! Monkeys swinging in! Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives also went into the ark.
Then God closed the door. WHOOSH! Rain started pouring from the sky! Water bubbled up from the ground! It rained for forty days and forty nights! The water covered everything - even the mountains!
But inside the ark, Noah and his family and all the animals were safe and dry. God kept them safe!
After many months, the rain stopped. The water went down. Finally, the ark landed on a mountain. Noah sent out a dove, and it came back with an olive branch - which meant plants were growing again!
God told Noah, "Come out of the ark!" All the animals rushed out - hopping, running, flying! Noah's family stepped out into a brand new world.
Noah thanked God. Then God put a beautiful rainbow in the sky and said, "I promise I will never flood the whole earth again. Whenever you see a rainbow, remember my promise!"
Remember this
“Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”
What did we learn?
And that's why we see rainbows today - they remind us that God always keeps His promises!
Big idea: God is always with us and loves us very much!