This Bible study is based on Genesis 6:9-8:22.
It makes the following key points:
- Noah was warned by God that a flood was going to take place, and he responded by making a preparedness plan and assembling the necessary resources. Churches can play a key role in bringing communities together to prepare for the threat of disaster.
- Noah’s preparation included making provision for the duration of the flood (food) and the period after the flood (male and female animals). Churches and communities should also be careful to prepare for possible disasters, including planning for the days during the disaster and for the recovery period afterwards.
- Noah used appropriate methods to monitor the flood situation (sending out a bird), so as to know when to move from survival activities to the rehabilitation phase (resettling on the land). It is important to keep the changing disaster situation under constant review and to adjust our activities accordingly.
- Following the flood, Noah and his family resettled in a less flood-prone area – the mountains of Ararat (Genesis 8:4) and resumed their livelihoods. Disasters should be used as an opportunity to reduce vulnerability, as people are often more open to change at this time.
