On The Ark Opening Prayer: May we join together in a prayer of thanks for being able to read and learn from the lessons found in the Bible. May our hearts be open to understand the importance of faith and obedience to our gracious God. Memory Verse:    Genesis 8:6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: Opening Hymn: Welcome For Me Like a bird on the deep, far away from its nest, I had wandered, my Savior, from Thee, But Thy dear loving voice called me home to Thy breast, And I knew there was welcome for me. Refrain Welcome for me, Savior, from Thee; A smile and a welcome for me; Now, like a dove, I rest in Thy love, And find a sweet refuge in Thee. I am safe in the ark; I have folded my wings On the bosom of mercy divine; I am filled with the light, of Thy presence so bright, And the joy that will ever be mine. Refrain I am safe in the ark, and I dread not the storm, Though around me the surges may roll; I will look to the skies, where the day never dies, I will sing of the joy in my soul. Refrain ______________________________________________________________________________ Today's Bible Reading: Genesis 8:6-11 6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: 7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. 8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; 9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were  on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. ______________________________________________________________________ True or False 1. At the end of 14 days Noah opened the window.   False    (40 days vs. 6) 2.  Noah sent forth a raven and it never returned.    False (the raven went to and fro)    Verse 7 3.  After the raven, Noah sent a sparrow.                 False       (a dove)  Verse 8 4.  The dove returned to the ark because the earth was still covered in water.  True   (verse 9) 5. Noah sent the dove out again.                               True   (verse 10) 6. The dove returned with a cracker.                         False (an olive leaf)    Verse 11 7.  It was evening when the dove returned                 True   (verse 11)   __________________________________________________________________ Lesson Drawing Activity:   Have the children draw anything they like from today's  Bible reading- maybe the Ark, the dove or Dove with a little branch in its mouth! Lesson Questions: 1. Do you know why it was Noah's family that was saved from the floods? Read the following from Hebrews 11: 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world,  and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 2.  Two words are repeated within this same verse - What are they?      Answer: (By faith) 3.  How does one get faith?  Take turns answering and then read the following from Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. _______________________________________________________________________ Read Aloud Poetry One Window On The Ark One window on The Ark Would let a dove fly free, Gliding out from the dark… Returning with a gift from a tree. One dove would bring a gentle sign Declaring days have arrived for the sun to shine. On The Ark there was one door. Closed tight by our mighty Lord. Believers rest on His ark forevermore Knowing His Word is a two edged sword. One family found to humbly obey The words of our Lord and in His love stay. The ark floated and remained above A covered earth from rains of wrath. Faithful family were in God's love Following a righteous path. God carries His children in His arm Protecting them from eternal harm. One rainbow would be seen in the sky… Promises are kept and sealed. Our Lord of Life is always nearby And hears our prayers while we walk in His field. On His promises we grow and stand And walk on to the Promised Land. Julie Pisacane © 2006 Genesis 6:16   A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower,  second, and third stories shalt thou make it.   _______________________________________________   Close With Prayer.