Genesis 6:11-22
OPEN IT:
Describe the worst storm you’ve ever experienced.
Genesis 6:11-22 – ESV
11. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. 18. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22. Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
DIG INTO IT:
1. Read Genesis 6:11-13 and answer the following questions:
11. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
a) Why was God so upset with humankind?
b) What word appears three times in vv. 11-12? (Hint: it starts with a “C.”)
c) What specifically did God promise to do?
2. Read Genesis 6:14-17 and answer the following questions:
14. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 16. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.
a) As far as you know, did Noah have any boat-building experience? How would he know what to do?
b) The ark was approximately 450’ long x 75’ wide x 45’ feet high. Why was such a huge vessel necessary?
3. Read Genesis 6:18-22 and answer the following questions:
18. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive. 21. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them.” 22. Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
a) Who would survive the flood God would send?
b) What “covenant” would God make with Noah and his family? What is a covenant?
c) Did Noah have to go out and round up all of these animals, or would God send them to him? (see v. 20)
d) Read v. 22 and describe for the group Noah’s reaction to God’s commands:
REFLECT ON IT:
1. Are you surprised at the way God reacted to humankind when they rebelled against His will?
2. If you were Noah, what would have been your first thought when God said, “Build an ark”?
3. What level of faith would a person have to have to respond in the way that Noah did, and then actually carry out the task God had given?
4. Are there any monumental tasks that God has placed on your heart? If so, do you have the faith to see them through?
5. The ark was a place of safety and refuge for Noah, his family, and the animals. What is your place of refuge and safety today?
6. In what way can we pray for you today? PRAY ABOUT IT: “To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.” ~ Billy Graham
Davis, Barry L.. Instant Bible Studies for Small Groups (p. 58). GodSpeed Publishing. Kindle Edition.