3. Noah
What had the people done that was so bad?
Genesis 6:5: "The Lord saw that the wickedness of humankind was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually."
Genesis 6:11-13: "Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth.'"
BIG QUESTIONS
Did God know the world would be evil?
Do you think God will find a way to banish all evil again?
Isn't God a loving and forgiving God?
Should we fear God?
The Epic of Gilgamesh There are many stories of a major flood long, long ago. The most popular is call The Epic of Gilgamesh. This is one of the oldest written pieces of literature known to humanity. Gilgamesh is the hero as he goes on a quest. During his quest for immortality Gilgamesh meets Utnapishtim who tells him about how he was granted immortality by the gods because he survived a major flood.
Not "G" Rated: The Story After the Flood
After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard and became drunk from its wine. His son, Ham, saw him naked and told his brothers, who walked in backwards and covered their father. When Noah learned what had happened, he cursed Ham's descendants, while blessing Shem's, from whom the Hebrews descended
Kid Explanation of HOLY NUMBERS
3 - Three in the resurrection story represents transformation or change: Jesus spent three days in the tomb before rising again, symbolizing hope and renewal even in our darkest times.
7 - Seven: This number is like a symbol for perfection and completion. It's like when you finish a really cool project, and everything feels just right. In the Bible, it often marks important moments, like the seven days of creation.
12 - Twelve: Imagine this as a number of unity and teamwork, like having a group of close friends who always have each other's backs. In the Bible, there were twelve tribes of Israel and later, twelve disciples who followed Jesus.
40 - Forty: Picture this as a number of preparation and change. It's like going on a long journey where you learn and grow a lot along the way. In the Bible, forty often represents a period of testing or transformation.
150 - One Hundred Fifty: This number is like a big collection of special things, each one valuable in its own way. In the Bible, there are 150 songs called Psalms that people use to express their feelings to God. Each one adds to the rich tapestry of worship and connection with God.
COVENANT
Genesis 9:9-17
As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.’
Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth
After the flood, these sons became the ancestors of all the different people on earth. Each son and their descendants played a significant role in populating the earth after the catastrophic event of the flood.