Character Studies

Lesson 4

NOAH

"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Heb. 11:7)

Text: Genesis 5:28-9:29
Name: "To comfort, rest" - Gen. 5:28-29
Date: Unknown
Place: Middle East, Mountains of Ararat

NOAH'S GREAT FAITH
Genesis 6
· Noah demonstrated great faith even in an unbelieving world - Gen. 6:5, 8-9
· Noah exhibited great faith by preaching an unbelievable message - 2 Pet. 2:5
· Noah displayed great faith by completing an unbelievable task - Gen. 6:14, 22
· Noah's faith seen in his:
· Character - Gen. 6:9
· Conduct - Gen. 6:9 (cf. 5:24)
· Family - Gen. 6:18 (Heb. 11:7)
· Because of his faith, Noah became "an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith" (Heb. 11:7; cf. Ezek. 14:14, 20)

NOAH AND GOD'S GRACE
· Noah "found grace in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen. 6:8)
· God was gracious to Noah because of Noah's faith (Gen. 6:9; cf. Eph. 2:8)
· God's grace was obtained through Noah's obedient faith (Gen. 6:22; 7:1, 5)

THE FLOOD
· Purpose of the flood (Gen. 6:5-7, 11-13, 17)
· The ark of safety (Gen. 6:14-22
· Survivors of the flood (Gen. 7:7-10, 13-16; 1 Pet. 3:20)
· The source of the flood waters (Gen. 7:11)
· The waters prevailed on the earth (Gen. 7:17-24)
· The duration of the flood (Gen. 7:12-8:14)
· Exiting the ark (Gen. 8:15-19)

GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH, HIS DESCENDANTS AND ALL FLESH
Genesis 8:20-9:17
· Noah's offerings and God's acceptance (8:20-22)
· God's blessings and commands (9:1-3-7)
· God's covenant and its sign (9:8-17)

AFTER THE FLOOD
Genesis 9:18-29
· Repopulation of the earth (9:18-19)
· Noah's shame and Canaan's curse (9:20-27)

LESSONS FOR US
· God is faithful and gracious to deliver and save those who obey Him in faith.
· Obedience is a long-term commitment.
· God is longsuffering toward sinners.
· God will punish sinners who do not repent.
· Faithful men sin and need God's mercy.

CLASS DISCUSSION

1. What contributed to the prevalence of sin in Noah's day? (Gen. 6:1-5)

2. What shows God's "longsuffering in the days of Noah"? (1 Pet. 3:20)

3. How was the ark to be built? Discuss principles of following God's pattern (Gen. 7:14-22; cf. Heb. 8:5).

4. What groupings of the animals went into the ark?

5. Name the sons of Noah and the peoples descended from each. (Gen. 5:32; 9:18; 10:1-32; 1 Chron. 1:1-28)

6. Why was Noah a "perfect" man? (Gen. 6:9; cf. 7:1; Ezek. 14:14, 20)