Lesson Summary: God will sustain us through hard times keeping his promises.

Key Verse: “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the domestic animals that were with him in the ark.” – Genesis 8:1

Questions to discuss:

•Read Genesis 7:11-8:12.

•The flood has often been reduced to a children’s story. You can buy Little Tykes Noah’s Arks, decorate nurseries in the theme. However, the flood is nothing like a children’s story. Try to envision the absolute destruction created by the flood. Discuss some major storms you’re familiar with and try to compare them to what the flood might have been like.

•Discuss what life was like for Noah before the flood. Do you think he ever doubted that God would bring such destruction as he built the ark?

•In class we tried to envision what life must have been like for Noah and his family. For months during the storm, God must have seemed silent. How do you think Noah felt toward God during this time?

•Share a trying time in your life when you felt God was silent.

•Storms in our lives can come from 3 sources:
1) Situations that arise outside of our control such as tragedy, severe injury, etc.
2) Suffering caused by following Christ, by doing good.
3) Suffering brought on by the choices we make and we suffer the consequences.

How do you tend to respond to each of these? Is one easier to face than the others? Do you tend to blame God? Do you doubt him? Which is most difficult for you to deal with?

•How can we help one another in our family when each of us faces difficult times? What can we do to help you feel the support and encouragement you need in these times?

Plan of Action
Think of a family or someone who needs encouragement this week. As a family, come up with something you can do to encourage that person or other family and do it.