Scripture: Genesis 5-9
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of Noah
- Students will learn God instructed Noah and his sons on how to build the Ark
- Students will learn the Ark was big enough to hold Noah and his family and thousands of animals
- Students will learn that although the Bible does not tell us the exact shape of the Ark, we do know it was sea worthy
- Students will participate in an activity to help them understand why it took Noah and his sons so many years (approximately 75) to build the Ark
Guiding Question: Why did it take Noah and his sons so long to build the Ark?
Materials: balsa wood or craft (popsicle) sticks, craft glue, tape measure or ruler
Procedure: Review the story of Noah. Discuss with students the size of the Ark and it’s sea worthiness. Using a scale of 1 inch = 1 foot (1 cm = 1 meter), encourage the students to build an Ark to scale of the one in the Bible (about 450 ft x 75 ft. x 45 ft.). Since the exact shape of the Ark is unknown, the students can use the shape of historic or modern closed ships for design. After the students have been working for about fifteen minutes, stop them and have a class discussion. (Note: Finishing the scale Ark will take multiple class periods should you choose to do so.) Ask the students what would have happened had they been asked to build a full sized Ark? How long do they think it would have taken them? What challenges would they have? What challenges might Noah and his sons have had? Inform the students that most scholars think it took Noah and his sons about 75 years to complete the Ark. Point out that without God’s design, it is unlikely Noah and his sons could have built an Ark that would have held everything and withstood the flood.
Additional Question: Some scholars have said the Ark could hold the same amount of cargo as over 552 freight cars on a train. How many animals can fit on an average freight car for a train? How many animals do you think would have fit on the Ark?
Supplemental Activity: Have students set up an exhibit to teach younger students about Noah and the Ark. It could include a scale model, model animals to teach children about the different numbers of clean and unclean animals on the Ark, etc. Your students may even want to write and perform a drama or puppet show to reinforce what they have learned and teach it to younger children.