for Parents of Children

BIBLICAL PASSAGE Genesis 6:1–22; Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built
an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and
MEMORY VERSE Hebrews 11:7 became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7

Have you ever watched your child in awe of someone
in the military? Our armed forces go through deliberate
training to learn how to protect our country. During
training, each person learns to obey authority immediately.
Any question or delay can result in injury or death during
battle. They also learn what it means to completely obey
and trust in every aspect of their training. God requires
this type of complete obedience from His children.
Noah obeyed God despite the task and despite criticism
from those around him. As parents, God has given us
an incredible task: raising children to know and follow
the Lord. Like Noah’s task, our task requires complete
obedience on our part each day. As you seek to raise
your children in a way that will honor God, some may
criticize what you are doing. Be encouraged; do like
Noah and “walk with God,” praying for His direction.

Read Genesis 6:1–22 and Hebrews 11:7. God was not
pleased with the actions humanity had chosen. God need-
ed someone to carry out a great task, and that person was
Noah. God chose Noah for one very important reason:
“he walked with God” (v. 9). God knew Noah would com-
pletely obey every detail God had for him. As Christians,
we should strive to walk with God so closely that we are
willing to obey Him even when it does not make sense.
When you pray for your children concerning obedience
to God, begin by praying for their daily walk with God.
When you walk with Him each day, you will be able to
follow Him even when His way does not make sense to
you. Also, pray that your children will learn how to apply
God’s Word in their lives so that when they face tough
choices, they can allow God to guide and direct them.

F A M I LY D E V O T I O N T I M E
Connect . . .
The family gathers together to play a game of Simon Says. One person is chosen to play Simon, and the others try to
copy all of his or her movements—but only when Simon says to do so. Each person in the family has a chance to play
Simon. Then, the family talks about how hard it is to listen and completely obey.

Explore . . .
A family member summarizes the story of Noah from Genesis 6:1–22. Then, another family member reads
Hebrew 11:7 aloud from the Bible. The family discusses: What job did God give Noah to do? How do you think
Noah felt when God told him what He wanted him to do? Why do you think it was important for Noah to
completely follow God?

Transform . . .
The family discusses ways they can obey God. Each family member prays for one way that the family can obey God
this week.

Pray that your family will commit to obeying God, especially when those around you believe differently.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Clarity Publishers, 2007. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study of
Life Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church during the licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.