Dear Parents,

Adam’s son Seth lived 912 years. Despite their sin, the Lord sustained generation after generation. Seth’s sixth-great- grandson, Noah, was born less than 20 years after his death. With each generation, the earth’s population grew.

By the time Noah lived—10 generations after Adam— people had stopped following God. In fact, Scripture describes a deplorable situation: “Man’s wickedness was widespread on the earth ... every scheme his mind thought of was nothing but evil all the time” (Gen. 6:5).

God was right to punish this sin. He decided to send a flood to cleanse the earth. The waters would cover the earth and destroy everything. God graciously chose to save one man and his family, so he warned Noah about the flood and told him to build an ark.

Noah believed God’s warning about the coming judgment. He obediently worked to build the ark that would save himself, his family, and the animals. But the work took years, and Noah likely faced ridicule from his friends and neighbors. Was Noah crazy? He was building a boat where there was no water!

When the ark was complete, God’s judgment came. The floodwaters covered the earth. Noah and his family were safe inside the ark. God rescued Noah’s family—the family His own Son would be born into. Jesus would warn of God’s coming judgment too, but instead of condemning the world, Jesus would give up His life to rescue sinners.

Apart from the grace of God, every thought we have is nothing but evil all the time. Our wickedness is widespread, and God would be justified to destroy us immediately. What grace that He has provided a Rescuer!

As you disciple your children this week, pray that the Lord would help you clearly communicate the gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit would lead them to receive Jesus, who rescues us from God’s anger toward sin. (1 Thess. 1:10)

God Bless,
David Feiser
Family Ministry Director
The Well Community Church

Family Starting Points

January 13, 2019

Scripture Memory: Ephesians 2:8

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. It is not from yourself. It is the gift of God.”

Big Picture Question:

What is sin? Sin is breaking God’s law, and sin separates people from God.

Bible Story: “Noah’s Ark” (Genesis 6:5-9;17)

• God told Noah to build an ark.
• God sent a flood that covered the earth to punish sin.
• God saved Noah, his family, and the animals.
• God made a rainbow as a reminder of His promise.

Family Discussion Starters:

• Tell about a time you were punished for making a wrong choice.
• What would have happened if Noah disobeyed and did not build the ark?
• Tell about a time you did not get a punishment you deserved.

Family Activity:

• Talk about how God showed favor to Noah by saving him and his family from the flood.
• Go further: Choose someone to show kindness to as a family by giving them a special gift or serving them in a special way.

Next Week:

• “Tower of Babel” Genesis 11:1-9