Chapter 1
IN THIS LESSON
By the time we reach Genesis 6, humanity has shifted from rebellion to full-blown corruption. The world is violent, immoral, and deeply dark. Yet in the middle of this, God still sees.
He sees one man: Noah, the descendant of Enoch, who hasn’t forgotten how to walk with God.
This is not just a story of judgment—it’s a story of remnant faithfulness, of obedience before results, and of testimony in a crooked world.
Testimony Focus: “How did God pull you out of something that felt too far gone?”
“Where have you been a Noah—saying yes when everyone else said no?”
Theme: What does faithfulness look like when the entire world is going the other way?
Primary Passages
Genesis 6:5–8 (CSB / NASB / NLT)
“When the Lord saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time…” — CSB
“But Noah found favor with the Lord.” — NLT
Genesis 6:9 (NIV / MSG)
“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” — NIV
“Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.” — MSG
Matthew 24:37–39 (Jesus referencing Noah)
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…” — NIV
Supporting Verses
Genesis 6:11–12 (NIV)
“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways.”
2 Timothy 3:1–5 (CSB)
“In the last days, difficult times will come. People will be lovers of self... disobedient, ungrateful, unholy... holding to a form of godliness but denying its power.”
Isaiah 5:20 (NLT)
“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil…”
Romans 1:21–22 (ESV)
“Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God... they became fools.”
Lesson Focus & Talking Points
Big Idea: The darker the world becomes, the brighter obedience shines.
Noah’s life was a testimony before there was a stage, a storm, or a boat. His yes to God in secret positioned him to change history.
TALKING POINTS
1. “Every Inclination Was Evil” (Genesis 6:5)
The culture wasn’t just occasionally sinful. It was saturated in evil.
This wasn’t about bad people—it was about hearts that were deeply misaligned with God.
➤ Question: Where do you see “normal” culture pulling hearts away from God today?
2. “But Noah…” (Genesis 6:8)
That “but” changes history.
In a world gone wild, one person’s obedience is enough to shift heaven’s plan.
Noah didn’t start with results—he started with favor and faithfulness.
3. “Walked With God” (Genesis 6:9)
Like Enoch, Noah walked with God. But unlike Enoch, Noah walked into something—an assignment.
God doesn’t just call you to walk with Him—He calls you to build with Him.
➤ Question: What is God asking you to build in obedience, even if no one else understands?
4. “As it Was in the Days of Noah…” (Matthew 24:37–39)
Jesus said the last days will feel like Noah’s time.
People will live distracted, indifferent, and spiritually asleep.
But God is still calling for a remnant to prepare, listen, and obey.
➤ Challenge: If this is your Noah moment, what will you do with it?
TESTIMONY FOCUS
Theme: “The world said no, but I said yes to God.”
Invite testimonies:
Someone who stood up for faith in school/work
A testimony of resisting compromise or addiction
A "build before you see" moment—starting something when no one else believed in it
Activation: Create a “Modern Noahs” story reel — 1-min clips from group members saying:
“When I obeyed even though it didn’t make sense...”
Audience Integration
DISCIPLESHIP CARD FOR WEEK 2
“Build With God” Challenge Card
Daily prompts:
Where is God calling you to stand apart?
What assignment have you been afraid to start?
What distractions are pulling your attention?
What’s one step you can take in obedience this week?
What would your life look like if you fully obeyed?
SONG SUGGESTIONS
MODERN WORSHIP
"Build My Life" – Housefires / Passion
"Do It Again" – Elevation Worship
"Obedience" – Lindy & The Circuit Riders
"I Will Follow" – Chris Tomlin
REFLECTIVE OPTIONS
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" – Hillsong UNITED
"Alabaster Heart" – Kalley
"Here’s My Heart" – Lauren Daigle
YOUTH WORSHIP PICKS
"Ready or Not" – Hillsong Y&F
"Real Love" – Hillsong Y&F
"No Turning Back" – Brandon Heath (youth-friendly anthem)
TEXT BLAST
Everyone’s building something—but is it what God asked for?
This week in small group: “Every Inclination Was Evil”
Come talk about how to obey when the world says no.
Group | Wed @ 7PM | Youth | Sun @ 5PM
EMAIL BLAST
Subject Line: Noah’s Obedience, Our Opportunity
Body:
This week in our series Cities on Fire, People of Testimony, we’re diving into Genesis 6.
In a world where every heart was drifting, one man’s faithfulness changed history.
Before the rain…
Before the boat…
Before anyone believed…
Noah obeyed.
Join us for a powerful small group session on faith in dark places, building in private, and walking when others run.
Text a friend. Bring your Bible. Be ready to be challenged.
Youth Creative Element:
Giant poster paper: “What was the world like in Noah’s day?”
Have youth draw, write, or express what today’s version of evil, distraction, and apathy looks like
Then ask: “How can we live differently?”
KIDS MINISTRY OPTIONS
Story: God calls Noah
Activity: Build mini arks with cardboard, Legos, or popsicle sticks
Craft: Draw your “obedience boat.”—What does God want you to do?
Verse: “Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” — Genesis 6:22 (NIrV)
CLOSING PRAYER
“Father, You saw Noah. You saw his heart when the world was collapsing.
Help us live with that same yes. Teach us to obey before the storm, to build when we’re not understood, and to walk with You even when we’re alone.
God, raise up Noahs in this generation.
Let us be a remnant that walks in faith and lives as testimony in a world of noise.
Strengthen our hands to build. Strengthen our hearts to trust.
And give us ears to hear You, even when no one else is listening.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will.”
Charles Spurgeon
“Noah was a preacher of righteousness in an age of sin, a builder of the ark in a land of unbelief. Dare to be like Noah.”
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