In the story of Lamech and Noah, we see a powerful example of a father affirming God's call on his son's life from birth. Lamech understood that Noah had a unique purpose ordained by God, and he wasted no time nurturing this calling. 

Children are never a mistake. They are born on purpose, God's purpose. Lamech's acknowledgment of Noah's purpose symbolizes this theological principle.

At 182 years old, Lamech had a son named Noah, meaning "relief" or "comfort." (Genesis 5:28). Lamech prophesied that Noah would bring comfort from the painful work of tilling the ground because of the Lord's curse. Even though his son is an infant, Lamech recognized God's calling to provide deliverance to the people. Lamech sees his son's potential and values his God-given purpose. He is grateful for the gift of this child.

Application: It's powerful when parents recognize and affirm the unique gifts and callings that God has placed in their children. As parents, teachers, or mentors, we have the privilege and responsibility to call forth God's plan and purposes in the lives of the children around us. By nurturing and supporting them in their journey, we can help them fulfill the destiny that God has ordained for them.

• Do we cherish our babies, no matter the circumstances of their birth?
• Before dedicating our children to the Lord (Baby Dedication Ceremony), have we first dedicated ourselves to God?
• Do we speak life to our babies, pray for them, love and nurture them?
• Do we see their potential and realize God has a specific purpose for our babies?

Conclusion: Lamech affirmed God's call on his son's life from birth. As a father, he recognized God's purpose for Noah and shared his understanding with others. Lamech didn't wait for Noah to grow up before speaking life into his vision. He cherished Noah as a child and nurtured him into the man he would become.

Lesson Summary

In the story of Lamech and Noah, we witness a father affirming God's call on his son's life from birth, acknowledging his unique purpose ordained by God. Noah's story highlights the theological principle of recognizing children as intentional creations of God. Some key points include:

• At 182 years old, Lamech named his son Noah, meaning "relief" or "comfort," prophesying Noah's role in delivering people from toil due to God's curse.
• Lamech immediately saw and valued Noah's potential to fulfill God's purpose, appreciating him as a precious gift.
• Lessons for parents, mentors, and teachers involve recognizing and affirming children's God-given gifts and callings and nurturing them toward their ordained destiny.

Parents and leaders can emulate Lamech's proactive approach to affirming and nurturing their children's potential from a young age.

• Cherishing children as individuals with unique gifts and callings.
• Speak encouraging words about their future to instill confidence.
• Respect children and help them embrace their identity and purpose with boldness and faith.

Mentors are needed! Initiatives like the Rites of Passage Program provide godly role models for boys whose fathers may be absent from the home. What an opportunity to affirm young boys' purpose by spending supervised time together and actively speaking blessings over them.

Lesson Plan

(Download the HBLT Handout)

Objective: By the end of a lesson on Genesis 5:28-29 and 6:5-7:5, we will agree that a father's affirmation is invaluable in a child's purpose by evaluating the role of Lamech and the destiny to which God called Noah.

HOOK: Emphasize the importance of having a father in the home by relating a personal story or citing current statistics about the absence of fathers.

BOOK: Lamech is an example of a father who recognized God's plan for his son, Noah, by acknowledging his purpose and speaking about his future role in God's plan for His people.

LOOK: Many children are growing up without their dads. The church can fill the gap left by absent fathers with programs like the Rites of Passage Program (ROP), which mentors young men and helps them develop into godly men. Visit https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/854714-rites-of-passage for a copy of Rites of Passage: Nurturing Boys Into Godly Yong Men by Irving Tolbert. This step-by-step guide contains the necessary forms and everything you need to set up a ROP ministry in your church.

TOOK: Let's stand and affirm our children. Face your sons and daughters, and tell them you recognize God's purpose and plan for their lives. (Pastor/teacher, you may want to write an affirmation for parents to repeat.) Or, invite the children to stand at the altar and pray an affirmation over them.

SONG: "See What The Lord Has Done" with Enni Francis and Kanaan Francis: https://youtu.be/McJXB0gdsxI?si=KIPx-CI3AUo5OSwK

COOK: Can children help us fulfill God's call on our lives? We'll study an instructive example next week!

Teacher Nugget: Are you an example of how God uses people regardless of their childhood or past challenges? You are to be celebrated and applauded for following the Lord and teaching others how to live in the Kingdom of God!

Children's Sermon: Do God's Will

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 Lamech in Genesis 5:28-29 and 6:5-7:5, children will be able to describe their future aspirations by creating a poster.

MATERIALS: Pictures of people working (construction, at a desk, etc.) already cut out from magazines, newspapers, fliers, mailers, etc.

HOOK: What are some good things your parents say about you? How does it make you feel when you hear those words?

BOOK: In Genesis, the Bible's first book, a baby hears words from his parent that make him feel strong inside. Lamech, Noah's father, always encouraged his son to do what God wanted him to do.

LOOK: What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?

TOOK: No matter what you do, the people who love you want you always to love the Lord. Here are pictures of people with different jobs. Everyone will get a picture to make a poster. Thank you for being such good listeners! (Pastor-teacher, thank God for his plan for every child. Release the children to complete their craft.)

COOK: Do you like to help your parents or caregivers? Next week, we will discuss a family that worked together to build something big!