Noah Day 3: Trust in the Lord to Be Safe
*There are 2 activities for this day’s lesson. If you have time, you can do both. If not, choose one of the activities OR spread them out over 2 days! :)
- Materials:
- Children’s Bible with illustrations
- Activity #1 Materials: Noah, ark, and animal toys
- Activity #2 Materials: large cardboard box “ark,” stuffed animals and animal toys
Day 3: Lesson & Activities
- Open Bible to Genesis 6:18-20. Ask if child wants to touch God’s Word. Touch gently. Then, “read” the story. Noah and his family were safe in the ark because they trusted God. God also protected the animals inside the ark. Noah obeyed God to protect his family and the animals.
Children’s Bible Reading: Open Children’s Bible and point to the boat/ark, Noah, and all the animals. Name the animals, or speak animal names and see if child can point to them. Speak Proverbs 29:25, “Whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
Activity #1:
- Prep: Before starting the lesson, have animal toys “hidden” around the room – 2 by 2, if possible.
- Look for the “hidden” animals and then dance them to the ark while singing. (Tune: This is the Way We Wash Our Clothes) The zebras will be safe in the ark, safe in the ark, safe in the ark. The zebras will be safe in the ark; God will keep them safe!
- Katelyn (16 months) loved finding the “hidden” animals and bringing them to the ark. I modeled the first 2 for her, so she could see how we brought the animals to the ark. Then she did it herself. It was fun to test her knowledge of which animals are which! I would say, “Where are the giraffes?” And she would have to look around and find the giraffes (as opposed to getting the elephants, zebras, or lions).
- After finishing the activity, I “hid” the animals quickly again, and we did it a second time!
Activity #2:
- Set out large cardboard box in the middle of the room – big enough that the child can fit inside.
- Go around the house (or have a collection of animals in the room) and collect animals to bring to cardboard box “ark.”
- Have child get inside the ark with the animals. God will keep us safe in the ark! “Whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
- Katelyn loved this activity and enjoyed closing the flaps of the box to close the animals in the box – and then opening the flaps to peek at the animals.
Child-led exploration:
- Today Katelyn spent some time after the lesson lining up the animals on her shelf. I had “hidden” a pair of animals on the shelf during Activity #1, and she thought it looked like fun to line them up, knock them off, and then line them up again! :)
Note about Toddler focus:
- Sometimes toddlers will be involved and paying attention, but other times it will appear like they are disregarding everything you are saying. But they are listening! They might be running around, playing with other toys, etc., but they are hearing you. Do not be discouraged if they don’t seem interested. Continue on anyway.
- Today Katelyn wanted nothing to do with the Bible song and touching God’s Word. She was picking up toys and climbing on her rocking chair. She ignored me when I asked if she wanted to touch God’s Word. But we moved on, and pretty soon, she was involved with the lesson.