Noah, his family, animals, the ark, and a rainbow

Illustration of Noah leaving the ark, by Sam Lawlor

January 31–February 6

Genesis 6–11; Moses 8

“Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord”

Learning about the animals in Noah’s ark and the tall Tower of Babel can be fun for children. But remember that these stories are meant to teach eternal truths. Prayerfully consider the truths God wants the children to learn.

Record Your Impressions

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Invite Sharing

Before you begin teaching the stories in Genesis 6–11 and Moses 8 to the children, give them an opportunity to teach each other what they know about Noah and the ark or the Tower of Babel.

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Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Genesis 6:14–22; 7–8; Moses 8:16–30

Following the prophet will bless me and my family.

As children learn to follow the prophet, they will be blessed and kept spiritually safe, just as Noah’s family was kept safe from the Flood.

Possible Activities

• In your own words, tell the story of Noah and the ark (see “Noah and His Family” in Old Testament Stories; see also “Follow the Prophet,” Children’s Songbook, 110–11, verse 3). Help the children act out parts of the story—for example, by pretending to use a tool to build the ark or walking like animals entering the ark.

• Read to the children Moses 8:19–20, emphasizing what the Lord commanded Noah to do. Help the children understand that Noah was a prophet and that his family was saved from the Flood because they followed him. Ask the children if they know who our prophet is today. Show a picture of him, and help the children repeat his name.

• Bring to class pictures or objects that represent teachings of the current prophet, such as the scriptures or a picture of a temple. Let the children take turns selecting an item and telling what they know about it. Explain to them what the item represents. Encourage them to draw a picture of themselves obeying what the prophet has taught. Bear your testimony about the blessings of following the prophet.

Genesis 9:15–16

God will keep His promises to us.

It is important for children to know that God keeps His promises, especially as they prepare to make covenants with Him when they are baptized.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to draw pictures of rainbows. Read to them Genesis 9:15–16, and ask them to listen for the word remember. Invite them to hold up their rainbows when they hear the word. Explain that rainbows are reminders of the promises God has made to us.

• Talk with the children about some of God’s promises—for example, that we can return to Heavenly Father if we follow Jesus Christ or that God will send the Holy Ghost to comfort us. Bear your testimony that God always keeps His promises.

• Use pictures to tell the children about covenants we make with God, such as pictures of a child being baptized, the sacrament, and a temple (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 104, 108, 120).

Genesis 11:1–9

The only way to reach heaven is by following Jesus Christ.

The people of Babel thought they could reach heaven by building a tower rather than by living the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can you help the children understand that following the Savior is the only way back to our Heavenly Father?

Possible Activities

• Tell the story of the Tower of Babel in your own words, or read the story found in “The Tower of Babel” (in Old Testament Stories). Encourage the children to help you by sharing what they know about the story.

  illustration of the tower of Babel

  Illustration of the Tower of Babel, by David Green

• Let the children build a tower out of blocks or other objects. Then show the children a picture of the Savior, and ask them which is the way to return to Heavenly Father—building a tower or following Jesus Christ? Invite the children to tell about things they can do to follow the Savior.

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Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Genesis 6:14–22; 7–8; Moses 8:16–30

Following the prophet will bless me and my family.

Children are growing up in a wicked world, similar in some ways to the world during Noah’s time. Noah’s experience can give them confidence that they can find spiritual safety as they follow the prophet.

Possible Activities

• Help the children choose verses from Genesis 6:14–22; 7–8 that they could depict in a drawing. Use their drawings to teach them the story of Noah. Ask the children to share what they learn from the story.

• Show a picture of Noah (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 7–8) and the current prophet. Help the children search Moses 8:16, 19–20, 23–24 to find things Noah taught that our Church leaders still teach today. How are we blessed when we obey these teachings?

• Share something that the current prophet has recently taught. Ask the children to write something the prophet has taught on strips of paper, and help them arrange the strips into the shape of an ark. How are these teachings like the ark that Noah built?

Genesis 9:15–17

We need to remember our covenants.

When we are baptized, we make covenants with God to obey His commandments. In Genesis 9:15–17, the rainbow is identified as a reminder of God’s covenant. These verses can inspire the children to seek ways to remember their covenants with God.

Possible Activities

• Show the children something you have that reminds you of something important in your life, such as a wedding ring, a picture, or a journal. Let the children share their own examples. Read together Genesis 9:15–17 (see also Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 9:21–25 [in the Bible appendix]). What does Heavenly Father want us to think about when we see a rainbow?

• Remind the children of the covenants they made when they were baptized and that they renew each time they take the sacrament (see Mosiah 18:8–10; Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79). Let the children draw or create something to remind them of their covenants.

Genesis 11:1–9

The only way to reach heaven is by following Jesus Christ.

While people today might not try to build towers in order to reach heaven, many try to find peace and happiness by following paths other than the one Jesus Christ has established. How might you use the story of the Tower of Babel to teach this principle?

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to share what they know about the story of the Tower of Babel (see Genesis 11:1–9). According to Helaman 6:28, why did the people of Babel build the tower? Why was building this tower the wrong way to reach heaven? What advice would we give to the people of Babel?

• Invite the children to search 2 Nephi 31:20–21 and Helaman 3:28 to find the right way to reach heaven. Bear your testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.

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Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to think of ways they will teach their families about the stories they learned in Primary. For example, they could use pictures they drew or this week’s activity page.

Improving Our Teaching

Seek to understand the children you teach. As you teach the children, pay particular attention to their questions, their comments, and the stories or principles that seem especially meaningful to them. Knowing these things will help you focus on their needs.

activity page: following the prophet will bless me and my family