This lesson focuses on the account of Noah and his sons, emphasizing the value of involving children in ministry activities. Noah's family actively participated in building the ark, showcasing the importance of working together with children in fulfilling God's plans.

The theological principle of working with our children in ministry begins in the Pentateuch. When the Lord told Noah His plan to destroy every living thing, God instructed him to build and fill the ark.

Noah's family included his three sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their wives. They were not passive observers in this unimaginable task but active participants who helped build the ark and gather every living thing. Amid a perverted culture, Noah kept his children productively occupied as they helped do what God called him to do. In this way, God protected and preserved Noah's sons and family.

Noah's family was intentionally involved in fulfilling God's plan. As Noah obeyed God, he included his sons in the daily task of building the ark and protected his children from being corrupted by the world around them.

Application: Serving the Lord involves tasks such as folding bulletins, distributing flyers, helping as ushers, and performing other behind-the-scenes duties. Being dependable, completing assignments, and working with excellence shape character and are the building blocks for increased responsibility. The time to instruct, train, and supervise young people gives us teachable moments as we disciple them.

• Why is it important that children work alongside their parents in kingdom building?
• Do we have memories of our early years working and helping our parents?
• What tasks might be appropriate for children and teens when helping with church work today?
• How do we guide and encourage youth while allowing them to make mistakes as they serve and learn?

Conclusion: Working together builds community, fosters commitment, and charts a course for doing God's will. Noah included his sons and the entire family in obeying God and building the ark. Together, they fulfilled God's will and underscored this theological principle: our work is worship.

Lesson Summary

The lesson focuses on the story of Noah and his sons from Genesis 6:9-7:12, emphasizing the value of involving children in ministry activities.

• Noah's family actively participated in building the ark, showcasing the importance of working together with children in fulfilling God's plans.
• The theological principle of working with children in ministry is evident in the Pentateuch, where Noah included his sons in building and filling the ark, teaching them obedience and involvement.

Noah's intentional involvement of his family in God's work underscores the importance of engaging children in kingdom-building activities to shield them from worldly influences and instill valuable lessons.

• When children are entrusted with working alongside parents or guardians in serving God, they feel a sense of value.
• As we guide and support youth and involve them in productive tasks, we create an environment that allows for learning and exploration.
• Spending time with children allows us to disciple them.

Collaborative work with youth cultivates community, reinforces commitment, and demonstrates that our work is worship, as seen in Noah's family's participation in building the ark.

Lesson Plan

(Download the HBLT Handout)

Objective: By the end of a 30-minute lesson on Noah and his sons (Genesis 6:9-7:12), we will value working with our children in ministry by agreeing that Noah's sons worked alongside Noah.

HOOK: Discuss how you discovered your calling/career. Did you ever work with or for your parents? Did they involve you in church work?

BOOK: Noah has an unbelievable task ahead of him. He needed his sons and his family to help accomplish God's will. By engaging them in productive work, Noah kept his children from the negative influence of the world around them.

LOOK: What tasks can children help fulfill in the church setting? What tasks are available for teens and young adults?

TOOK: Training others to do the work of the ministry means spending time with them. Working together is one way to instill godly values in others. It's called discipleship. How do you involve your child/children in Kingdom work? If your children are adults, can you identify someone to disciple? Sponsoring a child through World Vision is an excellent opportunity to help shape a child's life https://www.worldvision.org/sponsor-a-child.

SONG/VIDEO: "Build My Life" by Selah @ Smithhouse Worship: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOGr2TVDlai/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.

COOK: Please watch "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot" this week. That's what we'll discuss in next week's lesson.

Teacher Nugget: Your work matters, but you don't have to do it alone! Why not invite a young person to help create your lesson slide deck (PowerPoint) or teach the lesson with you?

Children's Sermon: Little Helpers

Invite children aged 5 to 11 to the front of the church and ask them to sit in a semicircle. The pastor-teacher, with an open Bible and a puppet, sits at the opening of the semicircle and introduces the puppet, naming it to the children. After the puppet welcomes the children, they introduce themselves by saying their names. Next, ask the lesson questions; there are no wrong answers. Conclude this 10-minute children's sermon by giving children a craft project. They may return to their seats or go to a separate area where teens and adults assist in completing the project. Children present or display their crafts at the end of the service.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of a 7- to 10-minute lesson on Noah's birth in Genesis 6:9-7:12, children will recall that Noah's children helped their father build the ark by creating something of their choosing.

MATERIALS: Arts and crafts, building blocks

HOOK: How do you help at home? What chores do you have to do? Do you like helping?

BOOK: In Genesis, the Bible's first book, God tells Noah about a great flood. Noah has to build an ark for his family and the animals. Guess who helps him? His children! They help build the ark and guide the animals inside, two by two.

LOOK: Why is it good to help our parents? What else can you do to help them?

TOOK: Parents enjoy spending time with you doing things together. We're going to help each other build something and talk about the lesson. Thank you for being such good listeners! (Pastor-teacher, thank God that we all work together. Release the children to complete their craft.)

SONG/VIDEO: "Build My Life" by Selah @ Smithhouse Worship: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOGr2TVDlai/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.

COOK: Do you want to know how special every child is to God? We'll talk about it next week!