Genesis 9 · Grade 5
The Rainbow and the Image of God
Read and Think
Genesis 9 is like a second beginning for the world. God repeats His blessing from creation: be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth. He now gives animals as food, but with limits, and He establishes the value of human life. Verse 6 explains why murder is so serious: God made people in His own image. Every person, of every age and nation, carries that dignity.
Next God makes a covenant with Noah, his descendants and every living creature. It is unconditional: God promises never again to destroy all life with a flood. The sign is the rainbow in the clouds. God says that when He sees it, He will remember the everlasting covenant. God binds Himself to His word, and creation itself displays the reminder.
The chapter closes honestly. Noah planted a vineyard, became drunk, and lay uncovered in his tent. Ham saw and told his brothers, dishonoring their father, while Shem and Japheth respectfully covered him. Noah then spoke words of blessing on Shem and Japheth and a curse on Canaan, Ham's son. The flood did not remove sin from the human heart. Only God's coming Savior could do that.
Show What You Know
How does Genesis 9 echo Genesis 1?
According to verse 6, why is murder so serious?
What makes this covenant unconditional?
What will God do when He sees the rainbow?
What does the story of Noah's drunkenness teach about the human heart?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- repeats His blessing from creation: be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth.
- Verse 6 explains why murder is so serious: God made people in His own .
- Next God makes a covenant with , his descendants and every living creature.
- The sign is the in the clouds.
Think About It
If every person carries God's image, how should that affect the way you talk about people you do not like?
Why do you think the Bible tells honest stories about the failures of its heroes, like Noah?
Memory Verse
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.”
Genesis 9:6 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you show respect for every person, even those who are different from you?
- When do you need to cover a friend's mistake with kindness?
- How can God's faithfulness help you keep your own word?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.