Tag Archives: obedience

Red Sea

40 – Red Sea

Exodus 13:17 – 15:21

God led the Israelites out of Egypt by what appeared to be a pillar of fire. The fire became a pillar of cloud during the day. God didn’t lead them straight to Canaan along the most direct route, but took them out into the wilderness toward the Red Sea. 
He told Moses to have the people camp at a certain location next to the Sea. He said, “I’m going to make Pharaoh stubborn one more time, and he’ll chase after you. After that, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

Pharaoh saw that the Hebrews had gone to the Red Sea, and were hemmed in and vulnerable. He said to his servants, “Why did we let our slaves go? They should be here, serving us.” So he took his army and chased after them. 

The people of Israel saw this and yelled at Moses. “Why have you brought us here to die? If we were still serving the Egyptians, they would let us live. But now, because of you, we’re about to die.” 

Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid! Watch and see what God is about to do. He’ll fight your battle for you. Look at the Egyptians! You’ll never see them again after today.” 

God said to Moses, “Lift your shepherd’s staff into the air, and point your hand out over the sea. The people of Israel are going to the other side – on dry ground.” 

Then the pillar of cloud that was in front of the Israelites moved behind them—between them and the Egyptians. It stayed there the rest of the day and into the night. 

Moses pointed his hand toward the sea. And when he did, God caused a strong wind to sweep back the waters, so they formed a wall on the right side and on the left. And then the wind blew on the path between the two walls for the rest of that day and into the night—until the ground became dry. 

That night, God told Moses and the Israelites to cross over to the other side, using the path between the walls of water. The people moved across the sea throughout the night. 

Once they were across, God allowed the Egyptians to chase after them, using the same path. When they were in the middle of the sea, God caused them to be totally confused, and their chariot wheels started to break. 

Suddenly, the Egyptian army saw the seriousness of their situation. They shouted, “Run! The Lord is fighting for the Israelites!” They turned and tried to run for safety. 

God said to Moses, “Point your hand out over the water.” So Moses pointed his hand toward the sea just as the sun was about to come up. Suddenly the walls of water crashed together, covering the entire Egyptian army. Not one of them survived! 

The Israelites watched the power of God from the other side of the sea. And as the sun rose that morning, they saw the dead bodies washed up on the shore. Then the people worshiped the Lord with singing. They had seen the power of God and believed in Him, and they believed in His servant Moses.

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Passover

39 – Passover

Exodus 10:1 – 13:16

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was lifeless, empty, and dark. Then the Spirit of God moved across the vast emptiness. He said, “Let there be light.” Suddenly light shone around the entire sphere of the earth! God looked at the light, and saw that it was good. Moses went to Pharaoh and said, “If you don’t let the Israelites go, God will send locusts like you have never seen. They’ll cover the land and eat anything that wasn’t destroyed by the hail.” 
Pharaoh’s officials begged him, “Please let them go. Egypt is already destroyed!” So Pharaoh said to Moses, “The men may go and worship.” 

Moses said, “When we leave, we’ll take everyone with us—men and women, young and old. We’ll also take our animals with us.” 

Pharaoh became angry, “Absolutely not!” He then had them thrown out of his court. 

The next day Moses stretched out his staff, and the locusts came. Never had such a swarm of locusts invaded Egypt. They ate every green thing on the land. They were everywhere and even invaded the houses. 

Pharaoh quickly called for Moses. He said, “I’m sorry for my sin. Please ask God to take the locusts away.” Moses prayed to God, and a wind carried the locusts into the Red Sea. Not one remained. When they were gone, Pharaoh again turned against God and the Israelites. 

God then told Moses to stretch his hand toward the sky. When he did, darkness covered the land of Egypt. It was so thick, the people could feel it, and they couldn’t see anything. It lasted for three days. Still, the Israelites had light in their homes. 

Pharaoh called Moses to him and said, “I’ll allow your people to go worship in the desert, but leave your flocks and herds.” 

Moses shook his head. “No! We’ll take everyone and everything, including the animals.” 

Pharaoh once again became angry. “I’m not letting the people go. Now get out of here and don’t ever come back! Mark my word. If I ever see your face again, you’ll die!” 

The Lord told Moses, “I’ll bring one more plague upon the Egyptians, and then Pharaoh will let the people go. He’ll insist that you leave! 

“Give my people these instructions. Each family is to select a one-year-old male lamb with no defects. They are to kill it and smear its blood above the door and on the doorposts. The people are to stay inside their houses. They won’t be safe outside of their houses. 

“Roast the meat of the lamb and eat it with your coats and sandals on, as if in a hurry. If it’s too much for one family to eat it all, invite another family to share the lamb. 

“At midnight I’ll go throughout the land of Egypt and kill the firstborn of every family—from Pharaoh’s house down to the lowest slave. But when I see the blood on your houses, I’ll pass over you and won’t kill your firstborn.” 

The Israelites did exactly as God instructed. That night, the Lord moved across the land of Egypt and killed the firstborn of every household. He even killed the firstborn of their livestock. There was loud crying and screaming in the night, because no household escaped this judgment of God. Yet, the Lord passed over the houses of the Israelites when he saw the blood on their doorposts. 

Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and yelled at them, “Go! Go! Take your people, take your flocks, and go.” 

All the Egyptians wanted the people to go because they were afraid that they might all die! They gave them things made of gold and silver. So the people left, while it was still night. 

From that day on, the Israelites were to observe the Lord’s Passover every year. It was to be a reminder of what God did for them that night.

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Story Telling and Questions by Mickie O’Donnell
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Group Discussion

  1. The Passover meal has been celebrated over the centuries. It is a way to remember what God did at the beginning of the nation of Israel. What celebrations do we observe in order to “remember” — as a nation, as a church, as a family, individually?
  2. This story reminds us that it is important to obey God’s commands, even when it is difficult. In what ways can we follow this example?
  3. The celebration of Passover teaches us about the importance of remembering significant events in our spiritual journey. In what ways can we do this?
  4. What challenges do you think the Israelites faced as they transitioned from being slaves to having freedom?
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Pharaoh’s Plagues

38 – Pharaoh’s Plagues

Exodus 7:8 – 9:35

The Lord told Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh in the morning when he was walking next to the Nile River. Moses said, “Because you refuse to free our people, the waters of Egypt will turn to blood. The fish will die and the water will be undrinkable.” Aaron then struck the water with his staff and it turned into blood. 
The court magicians also turned some water into blood. Therefore, Pharaoh ignored Moses and Aaron. Soon the water throughout the land turned to blood and was undrinkable. The people had to dig wells to find fresh water. 

After seven days, Moses told Pharaoh, “Because of your stubbornness, frogs will infest your land.” 

So Aaron stretched out his staff, and frogs started coming up out of the rivers and lakes. The magicians also made some frogs appear. Soon there were frogs everywhere. They went to every city street. They got into people’s houses and into their food—even into their beds! 

Pharaoh said to Moses, “I’ve changed my mind. Your people can go into the wilderness and worship their God. Ask Him to get rid of the frogs.” 

Moses asked, “When do you want the frogs to leave?” Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” 

The next day the frogs died, and people gathered them up into big piles. Soon they started to stink! Pharaoh then changed his mind and refused to let the people go. 

Next, Aaron struck the ground with his staff and the dust turned into lice. Soon, all the people and animals throughout Egypt were infested with lice. Pharaoh’s magicians were unable to do this. They said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God!” Still he wouldn’t let the people go.

Next, God sent swarms of flies to cover the land. But there were no flies in the part of Egypt where the Hebrews lived. 

Pharaoh agreed to let the people go. Moses said the flies would be gone the next day, but he added, “Take care. Don’t change your mind again!” However, that is exactly what he did. Once the flies were gone, Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let the people go. 

God sent a plague upon the livestock, but again it didn’t affect the livestock of Israel. Pharaoh became more stubborn, and refused to let the Hebrews go. 

Moses took a handful of ashes and tossed it into the air. It became a fine dust that spread through all of Egypt causing boils on all the people and animals. The magicians couldn’t stand before Pharaoh because of their boils! 

Pharaoh was angry, and refused to listen to Moses. God had told Moses that Pharaoh would act like this. 

Moses went to Pharaoh with a special message from God. He said, “Up to this point I’ve restrained My hand against you. Now, My plagues will be directed toward you and your people. When I’m done, all the nations on earth will know I am the Lord! 

“Tomorrow I’ll send a hailstorm like you’ve never seen before! All people and animals are to stay under shelters, or they’ll die!” 

The next day, fierce hail mixed with fire came down and ruined the crops that were in the fields. Yet, the hail didn’t fall in the land where the Israelites lived. 

Some of the Egyptians did as Moses told them. They put their animals and slaves under shelters. But others didn’t, and their livestock and slaves died in the storm. 

Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. “I know I’ve sinned. I’m wrong and God is right. Please pray and ask Him to stop this storm. I’ll let your people go.” 

Moses said, “This storm will stop as soon as I leave here.” He started to leave, then turned to Pharaoh. “I know you don’t fear God.” 

And it was true. As soon as Pharaoh saw the storm and the hail stop, he stubbornly turned against God and the people of Israel.

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Story Telling and Questions by Mickie O’Donnell
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Group Discussion

  1. God could have forcibly taken his people out of Egypt, so why did he use a series of plagues to free his people?
  2. Give other illustrations of a person “hardening their heart.”
  3. Pharaoh did not listen to his officials when they advised him to let the Israelites go. Share a time when you did not listen to the advice of those who were trying to help you.
  4. What parallels do we have today where the actions (or inactions) of people in leadership lead to widespread consequences for everyone?
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Call of Moses

35 – Call of Moses

Exodus 3:1 – 4:18

After Moses married Zipporah, he became a shepherd for his father-in-law, Jethro. Forty years later, when Moses was 80 years old, he led his flock near a particular mountain. 
Suddenly, off in the distance, he saw that a bush was on fire, but it wasn’t being consumed. He went closer so he could see it better. When he was near, God called to him from out of the bush. “Moses, Moses.” 

He stepped back. “Yes, I’m here.” 

“Don’t come any closer. Take off your shoes. You’re standing on holy ground.” 

As Moses took off his sandals, the Lord said, “I’m the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. 

“My people are suffering in the land of Egypt. It’s time to deliver them out of their slavery. I’ve selected you to lead them back to the land of Canaan. Therefore, go back to Egypt and talk to Pharaoh. 

“Oh Lord, not me! I’m not the right one to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. I’m not able to talk to Pharaoh.” 

God was patient with Moses. “I’ll be with you. When you think of this mountain, you’ll remember that I sent you. Go to Egypt and bring my people back here to worship.” 

Moses said, “But if I stand before the people and say, ‘the God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ they’ll say, ‘What God? What’s his name?’ What should I tell them?” 

God said, “I Am Who I Am! Tell them ‘I AM’ sent you to them. I am the God of Abraham. I am the God of Isaac. I am the God of Jacob. “The people will listen to you, but Pharaoh won’t. Therefore I’ll strike him with a hard blow. When I’m done, he’ll finally let my people go.” 

Moses still hesitated. So God said to him, “What’s in your hand?” 

“Oh… it’s a shepherd’s staff.”

“Throw it on the ground.”

He threw it on the ground and it became a poisonous snake! Moses jumped back in fear. Then God said, “Reach out and pick up the snake by the tail.” Moses grabbed the tail, and instantly the snake once again became a shepherd’s staff. 

God said, “Put your hand inside your shirt.” Moses did, and when he pulled it out it was covered with leprosy. “Put your hand back in your shirt.” He did, and when he pulled it out, the leprosy was gone. 

God said, “Show the people these signs and they’ll believe you.” 

“Oh, Lord, I’ve never been able to talk well. I have a speech problem.” 

“Moses, who made your mouth? I’m the one who causes a person to be deaf, mute, blind or seeing! Go, and do as I say. I’ll help you talk, and teach you what you’re to say.” 

Moses bowed his head. “Lord, I just don’t want to go. Please send someone else.” 

With this, the Lord became angry. “Your brother Aaron is coming to meet you. He speaks fluently. Take him and go to Egypt!” 

So Moses went to Jethro and asked permission to return to Egypt.

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Group Discussion

  1. How is this conversation between God and Moses similar to the way God deals with his people today? How is it different?
  2. What does the name I AM suggest about God’s presence and involvement in the lives of his people throughout the generations?
  3. How can this name provide comfort or reassurance in times of uncertainty or difficulty?
  4. What can we learn from this story about facing our own fears?
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Birth of Moses

33 – Birth of Moses

Exodus 1:1 – 2:10

The descendants of Jacob were called Hebrews or Israelites. Over the years, their numbers greatly increased in Egypt.
They were treated well until a new Pharaoh came to power. He didn’t remember Joseph or anything he did. This new Pharaoh felt he needed to do something about the Hebrews, since their population was growing, and they were becoming powerful.

His first plan was to enslave the people and force them to make bricks and build cities. Still, the Israelites grew in numbers. So the Egyptians increased their workload and beat them. In spite of this, the Hebrew population continued to grow.Pharaoh thought of an idea of how to stop this. He told the midwives, “When you help an Israelite woman deliver a child, kill all the baby boys as soon as they are born. Only the baby girls are allowed to live.”

The midwives didn’t obey Pharaoh. Instead they feared God and allowed the boys to live as well as the girls. They told Pharaoh, “The Hebrew women are much stronger than Egyptian women. They deliver their own children before we get to them.” God blessed these women because they refused to kill the children.

The Israelite population continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh issued a new law for the nation. “Every Hebrew boy-child is to be thrown into the Nile River.”

During this time of persecution, a boy was born to one of the Hebrew families. His mother hid him for three months, but it became more difficult with each passing week.

Finally, she realized she needed to do something different. So she made a waterproof basket, put the child inside, and placed it in the Nile River among the reeds near the banks. The boy’s sister was Miriam. She hid nearby to see what would happen to her brother.

Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to the river to take a bath. She saw the basket floating among the reeds and sent her servants to get it. When she opened the basket, the baby started to cry and she felt sorry for it. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew children.”

Miriam came out of her hiding place and spoke up. “Do you want me to go find a Hebrew mother who can nurse this child?”

“Yes. I’d like that. Go get a nursing mother.” So the girl went and got her own mother—the baby’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Nurse this child for me and I’ll pay you.”

When the boy was old enough, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter and the boy became her son. She called him Moses (which means “pulled out”) saying, “I pulled him out of the water.”

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Group Discussion

  1. Think of how God used Pharaoh’s daughter to help shape Israel’s history. What are some other examples in the Bible (or in modern times) when God chose to work through unlikely people to accomplish his purposes?
  2. The midwives were blessed when they did not do what Pharaoh said. How do we know when it is right to disobey government authorities?
  3. The mother of Moses placed her son in a basket and released it in the Nile River. How can we find the same kind of strength to let go and trust God during times of extreme trials?
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Rebekah

18 – Rebekah

Genesis 24:1-67

When Sarah died, Abraham realized he needed to find a wife for his son Isaac. He said to his servant, “I’m sending you back to my homeland so you can find a wife for my son. Promise me you won’t choose a woman from the people around here. Make sure she’s from among my relatives.”
The servant was concerned. “What if I find a woman, and she’s not willing to leave her home and come here? Perhaps I should take Isaac back there to marry her.”

“Absolutely not! You’re not to take Isaac back to that country! Listen, the Lord will send his angel before you. He’ll prepare the way. But if the woman isn’t willing to come back with you, then you’re released from this assignment.”After a long journey, the servant reached the town where Abraham’s relatives lived. He stopped at a well on the outskirts of town and prayed, “Oh God, help me find the right woman for Isaac.”

Suddenly he had an idea. “Lord, I’ll ask a woman for a drink of water. I’ll know she’s the right one if she gives me a drink, and then offers to draw water for all ten of these camels!”

Soon a young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She was beautiful … and virtuous … and … she wasn’t married.

She filled her jar and started to walk away. The servant stepped forward and asked for a drink of water. She gave him one, and then offered to draw water for all his camels. While she was doing this, the servant asked God to help him know for sure that this was the woman for Isaac.

After Rebekah was done, the servant gave her several pieces of jewelry and asked, “Who’s your family, and is there room at your father’s house for my men and me to spend the night?”

She told the servant the names of her father and grandfather, and the servant knew they were Abraham’s relatives. Rebekah said that there was plenty of room for them to spend the night.

She then left the servant and ran home to tell her family about this conversation. Her brother was Laban, and when he saw the valuable jewelry, he hurried to the well to see who had given her these things. He asked the servant, “Come, we’ve prepared a place for you and your servants, as well as your camels!”

Once they got to the house, the servant was invited to sit down and eat a meal with them. But he said, “Before we eat this meal, I must tell you my story.”

He told them about the assignment Abraham had given him. He then said, “I prayed and asked God to show me the right woman for Isaac. As a sign, I asked that she’d be willing to give me a drink of water and also draw water for all the camels. Rebekah did exactly that. I believe she’s the woman God has chosen to be Isaac’s wife.”

Laban and his father were amazed when they heard this story. They agreed with him and immediately gave their blessing. The next morning they asked Rebekah if she was willing to go with Abraham’s servant and marry Isaac. She said she was willing to go. So, they blessed Rebekah and sent her with the servant.

Isaac was in the field when he saw, off in the distance, the servant’s caravan of camels. So he started walking toward it. Rebekah saw him coming their way. She asked the servant, “Who is that man?”

“Oh, that is my master, Isaac.” So Rebekah covered herself with a veil.

Then the servant told Isaac the whole story. So Isaac took Rebekah to be his wife, and the love between them was great.

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Group Discussion

  1. In your imagination, how do you picture Rebekah? What do you think her actions reveal about her personality and character?
  2. Abraham assured his servant that the Lord would prepare the way before him. Still, imagine the servant who was given this great responsibility. What things needed to fall into place for his assignment to succeed?
  3. When the servant arrived at his destination, he prayed for a sign. Why do you think he came up with that specific sign? Have you ever asked God for a sign?
  4. Both sets of parents were involved in Isaac’s and Rebekah’s marriage. What can we learn from this about parental involvement in a person’s marriage?
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Trial of Abraham

16 – The Trial of Abraham

Genesis 22:1-24

When Isaac was a young man, God came to Abraham and said, “Abraham, take Isaac, the son you love so dearly, and go to a place I’ll show you. There, I want you to sacrifice him as a burnt offering.”

So the next morning, Abraham got up early and cut wood for the sacrifice. He saddled a donkey, took two servants, and started on the journey.

Three days later, Abraham saw the place God had selected. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey. Isaac and I will go and worship the Lord. We’ll come back after the sacrifice.”

He told Isaac to carry the wood. Abraham took the hot coals and the knife. Isaac looked around and asked: “Father, we have the wood and the re, but where’s the lamb for sacrifice?” Abraham looked at his son and finally said, “God will provide Himself a lamb for the sacrifice.”

When they got to the place God had selected, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on top. Next, he tied up his son and put him on top of the wood. He then reached for the knife to kill his son.

With that, the angel of the Lord called to him out of heaven. “Abraham, Abraham! Don’t kill your son! Don’t do anything to him! For now I know you fear God, since you were willing to give me your son!”

Abraham looked off to the side and saw a ram with his horns caught in a bush. He took the ram and used him as the sacrifice instead of his son. Abraham named the place “The Lord Will Provide”.

Afterward, God said to Abraham, “Because you have obeyed me, I’ll bless you and your descendants. I’ll make your descendants as hard to count as the stars. They’ll be as hard to count as the sand on the seashore. On top of that, I’ll make them prominent, even in the cities of their enemies! And the whole earth will be blessed because of them.”

Then Abraham went back to where the servants were waiting, and together they went home.

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Story Telling by Phyllis Hostmeyer
Story Telling and Questions by Mickie O’Donnell
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Group Discussion

  1. Tell about a time that you “laughed” when you realized what God wanted you to do.
  2. Tell of a time when something seemed impossible, but God caused it to happen anyway.
  3. To whom have you quietly admitted your doubts, and how did they respond?
  4. Describe a time when God unexpectedly provided something you deeply longed for.
  5. Tell of a time when you or your parents hosted a spiritual team or a godly person for a meal, and tell what impact it had on you.
  6. What should we learn from Abraham’s hospitality? How can we be more hospitable in our lives?
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Call of Abraham

7 – Call of Abraham

Genesis 11:26 – 12:20

There was a man named Terah who lived in a place called Ur. He had three sons, and one of them was Abram. Now Abram was married to his half-sister Sarai, but they had no children.
Terah took Abram, Sarai, and his grandson Lot (who was an orphan) and moved north to a place called Haran. They stayed there until Terah died.

When Abram was seventy-five years old, the LORD said, “Abram, I want you to leave your family and country and go to a place I have selected for you. I’ll make you into a nation and your name will be great. I’ll bless you, and I’ll also bless everyone else who blesses you. And I’ll curse anyone who curses you. All the families of the earth will be blessed because of you.”

So Abram took his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot and left Haran. When they came to a place called Canaan, God said, “I’m giving this land to you and your children.” Abram believed God, even though he didn’t have any children. He knew God would keep his promise. So he built an altar there and worshiped the Lord.

Sometime later, a severe famine hit the land. So Abram took all he had and went to Egypt. He said to Sarai, “The Egyptians will see you’re a beautiful woman. They’ll kill me in order to get you. So tell them you’re my sister.”

He was right. The Egyptians saw that Sarai was beautiful. When Pharaoh found out that she wasn’t married, he took her into his house. He treated Abram well, thinking the man was her brother.

Abram became rich in Egypt. His wealth included sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and servants.

God was angry with Pharaoh because he had Sarai in his house. Plagues hit his family, and everyone got seriously sick. Finally, Pharaoh said to Abram, “Why did you do this to me? You said she was your sister. Now I find out she’s your wife! Take her and get out of here!”

So Abram took Sarai and Lot and went back to Canaan. They settled near a place called Bethel. There, he worshiped the Lord.

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  1. Why might it be a good thing for you to leave your “comfort zone” and attempt new ventures?
  2. Watch the video Call of Abraham.
  3. Read Gen 12:1-3.  Make a list of everything that God promises to Abram.
  4. What do these promises tell us about God?
  5. Read Gen 12:4-9. What character traits do you see in Abram? What do you see Abram doing or saying that indicate these character traits?
  6. When faced with a problem (v.12), Abram attempts to handle the problem on his own. What does this tell us about Abraham?
  7. What lesson can we learn from this?
  8. What is the first thing Abram does upon reaching Canaan?  And again in Bethel?
  9. What is significant about the construction of the altars?
  10. What has this story taught you about responding to God’s call?
  11. Retell The Call of Abraham as a group.

Group Discussion

  1. What does this story teach us about responding to God’s call?
  2. How hard is it to leave your ‘comfort zone’ and attempt new ventures? Why is it important to do so?
  3. God promised to make Abraham a blessing to others. How has someone been a blessing to you? How have you been a blessing to someone else?
  4. What impossible thing are you trusting God to do in your life?
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World After the Flood

6 – World After the Flood

Genesis 9:20-11:26

After the Flood, Noah planted a vineyard. In time he drank some of the wine from his harvest and got drunk. He went to his tent and fell asleep on the floor without any clothes on.
His youngest son saw his father lying there, and went and told his brothers what he had seen. His brothers draped a coat between them and walked backwards into the tent, draping the coat over their father.
When Noah woke up, he learned what had happened. So he put a curse on the family of his youngest son, and blessed the families of the other two.

All three sons had large families, with many children and grandchildren. Among all these people was a man named Nimrod. He became the first dictator. He was known for his skill of hunting and his kingdom was called Babylon.

The people of Babylon realized that their potential was greater if they stayed together. They felt it best not to go throughout the world like God had said. So they built a tower that went high into the sky—high enough so everyone could see it. They felt this would keep them together.

God looked at the tower and said, “People are disobeying my command. If they stay together, nothing will be impossible for them. Therefore, I’ll have them talk different languages.”

Suddenly the people spoke many different languages. They were confused because they couldn’t understand one another. They didn’t know what was happening to them. Immediately, the work on the tower stopped. They formed groups according to their languages and moved to other parts of the world. The tower became known as the tower of confusion, or the Tower of Babel.

The oldest son of Noah was Shem. One of his descendants was a man named Peleg. His name means division, because at the time of his birth, the earth divided. His great, great, great
grandson was Abraham.

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  1. What is the difference between self-esteem and pride? Or between positive pride and negative pride?
  2. Watch the video The World After the Flood.
  3. The youngest son of Noah told his brothers about their father being drunk. Would there have been a better way for the son to handle this situation?
  4. Why do you think God stopped the people from building the Tower of Babel?
  5. Memorize Proverbs 16:18.
  6. Retell The World After the Flood as a group.
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The Flood

5 – The Flood

Genesis 6:1 – 9:17

After people disobeyed God and went into sin, they became extremely wicked. All of their thoughts and actions were evil. God knew he had to destroy the people he created. 

Yet, a man named Noah walked with God. The Lord said to him, “I’m going to destroy the entire earth with a flood because the people are wicked. Therefore, I’m making an agreement with you to preserve life on the earth. Build an ark. I’ll give you the exact dimensions I want you to use. After you’re done, a flood will kill all the people and animals on the earth. You and your family will be saved, as well as the animals you take with you.”

God gave him building instructions, and Noah did exactly as God said. He and his three sons built the ark. When it was done, God said, “Noah, go into the ark with your family. After seven days, water will fall upon the earth and every person and animal will be destroyed except those inside the ark.”

So Noah and his wife, his sons and their wives moved into the ark. Once they were there, animals and birds started coming in pairs, male and female. There were seven pairs of clean animals, seven pairs of birds, and only one pair of all the rest. When they had every kind of animal and bird, God closed the door.

On the seventh day, the waters that were above the sky started falling to the earth. At the same time, the earth erupted, sending fountains of water shooting up from beneath the ground. Waters flowed down the hills and filled the valleys. Eventually it covered the entire earth. All the people and animals were destroyed.

Those same waters lifted Noah’s ark above the destruction. The people, animals, and birds that were in the ark were safe while the whole earth was being destroyed. This deluge of water lasted forty days and covered the entire world. And then… it stopped.

Noah’s ark floated on the water for 110 days after it stopped raining. There were winds that moved across the earth to dry it off.

Finally, the ark landed on a mountain called Ararat. Noah waited for another four months and then opened the window to see what was on the earth.

He sent out a raven, but it never came back. Next he sent out a dove, which flew around but couldn’t find a place to nest. Soon she returned to the ark and Noah took her in.

After seven days, he sent out the dove again. She came back that night with an olive leaf
in her beak. Noah then knew that plants were growing once again. He waited seven more days and sent out the dove again. This time, she didn’t come back.

A month later, Noah removed the hatch from the ark and saw that the earth was dry. God said, “Your family and the animals may leave the ark.”

Once they were out of the ark, Noah built
an altar so they could worship God. The Lord smelled the sacrifice and said, “Never again will I destroy the earth with a flood. There will always be planting and harvest, hot and cold, summer and winter, day and night.

“From now on, animals will fear you, yet you are still responsible for them.

“You may now eat animals as well as plants. But you’re not to kill people, because they are made in the image of God.

“You’re to multiply and once again fill the earth with people.”

God said to Noah and his family, “Look into the clouds and see the rainbow. When I look at it and when you look at it, we’ll remember this promise. A flood will never again destroy the entire earth. This is my promise to you.”

Story Told
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  1. If you were Noah, what questions might you like to ask God before the flood?  After the flood?
  2. Watch the video The Flood.
  3. Read Gen 6:5-10. What do the terms “blameless in his time” and “walked with God” tell us about Noah? What qualities of Noah are indicated by these terms?
  4. Once the ark landed on Mount Ararat, why do you think Noah waited for four months before opening the window?
  5. How do you think Noah felt when he saw the Earth after the flood? What might he have seen?
  6. Read Matt 24:36-44 and Luke 17:26-30: Matthew and Luke describe life in normal terms; they don’t imply that sin and debauchery ruled the earth at the time of Noah or in our daily lives. What does God see that saddens his heart and demands punishment?
  7. Retell The Flood as a group.

Group Discussion

  1. God is holy and judges sin. He is also full of redeeming grace and mercy. How can these two seemingly contradictory statements be true?
  2. Noah had never heard of rain, yet God gave him specific instructions about how to build the ark. Recall a time when you felt God was guiding you to do something that seemed unrealistic. How did your life change based on the outcome of that situation?
  3. The people were on the ark for almost a week before anything changed outside. Describe the emotions and doubts they might have been feeling. How does your experience resemble the experience of Noah and his family?
  4. What does this story teach us about sin, judgment, hope, and redemption?
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