Greet the children and prepare them for the lesson.

With children seated, introduce the big idea (JoJo Giraffe puppet optional), saying: “Hello JoJo. Do you like to play outdoors?" JoJo: ”I sure do, except when the sky gets dark and it starts to rain. Then, I want to go inside.” Teacher: “Why is that?” JoJo: “Because I don’t want to get wet.” Teacher: “Why else?” JoJo: “Because I am afraid of the lightning.” Teacher: “It’s okay to be afraid sometimes. In today’s lesson, we will learn how God helped Noah and his family to be safe from the storm by building a big boat, called an ark. Let’s watch a video."

Show the "Little Noah : God Protects Us" video on your available TV or device.

With children seated, hold up a completed construction paper ark from Lesson 6 ("Noah Obeyed God"), and then a large photo of the Ark Encounter. Teacher: “Some of you helped make this ark, do you remember? And can you see how big Noah’s Ark was from this picture (Ark Encounter photo)? God told Noah to make it big enough to hold his family and all the animals. God loved Noah and He wanted them to be safe.” Explain how this construction is like Noah’s Ark which God used to keep Noah and family safe from the storm. Teacher: “God loves us and wants us to be safe. Listen carefully to our Bible verse: “God (point upward) said (point to mouth), “I (point upward) will be with (arms hugging chest) you (point to children).” Repeat. Teacher: “Let’s go to our toy blocks and see if we can build an ark or a house."

Allow children to build with blocks or other construction toys. If many of the children have not done the ark craft in Lesson 6, distribute ark in 3 parts (boat, waves, upper deck) and help children tape parts together, then apply animal stickers.

Serve snack, if applicable, then lead in a prayer of thanks. Teacher: “Remember how Noah and his family prayed before they ate? Let’s all pray around our table.” Allow play time as needed.

Teacher: “Remember how Noah obeyed God and built a big ark? Noah and his family were not afraid inside the ark. God kept them safe. Let’s watch and sing." Play song or music video on your available audio/video device: "He’s God the Whole World in His Hands"

Teacher, with JoJo puppet (optional): “JoJo, do you think Noah and his family and all the animals were safe inside the ark?" JoJo: “I don’t know. But I would not be afraid.” Teacher: “I think you would safe and happy with the other animals in the ark. God loves us and gives us mommies, daddies, teachers and other grown ups to keep us safe. We should thank God for them and for our homes where we are safe. Let’s practice our memory verse one more time (with signing).” Then, to coloring activity.

Children color line drawing of boy and girl playing with a toy ark or boat while rain beats against the window.

Review the Bible verse with signs, then close in prayer.