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Week Three
Noah's Lullaby
(Click to listen)
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Scripture
When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.
+ Genesis 9:16
Meditation
Most ancient cultures had a “great flood” story; what makes the version in Genesis distinctive is its strong emphasis on love and care for all creation. The ark is a sanctuary from the storm for every living thing (in some ancient versions, Noah’s wife, Naamah, is called by God to save each plant, seed, bulb, root, and spore), and the rainbow promise at the end of the story is an “everlasting covenant” between God and all life on earth. The story’s message is clear: God loves all creatures, great and small, and human beings have a special role in taking care of them all, from elephants to butterflies, coyotes to crickets, daffodils to dandelions!
Summer Fun This Week
• Have a campfire sing-along under the stars, and be sure to include your favorite songs and lullabies (the more about animals the better!)
• In Genesis, God’s “bow in the clouds” is an archer’s bow, a symbol of God saying “No” to
violence by hanging up the bow once and for all. In this spirit, create an art project in rainbow colors showing your vision of a peaceful world. Put your masterpieces up on the fridge or on Instagram for the whole world to enjoy!
• Whether a rowboat or raft, sailboat or canoe, get out on the water! Can you feel how the wind and waves might’ve rocked the ark full of animals asleep?
• Visit a local animal shelter and fi out what they might need – volunteers, dog walkers, food, cat litter? How can you help love and protect God’s creatures great and small?
• Try memorizing “Noah’s Lullaby” – and see if you can sing it all the way through!
Dinner conversation starters:
° What’s your favorite animal, and why? What’s your favorite plant, flower, and tree? Why?
° Genesis paints a picture of human beings taking care of all of God’s creation in a special way. How are we living that out today? How can we improve?
