Single lesson
Noah's Vineyard and His Sons
Genesis 9:18–29
After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, and what happened in his tent led to solemn words about his family.
Before you teach
After the flood, Noah’s family began life again on the earth. Noah’s sons who came out of the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. From these three sons, the earth was populated. Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard. He drank some of the wine and became drunk. While he was inside his tent, he lay uncovered. The passage tells this plainly and does not present Noah’s drunkenness as something good.
Explain the central teaching of Noah's Vineyard and His Sons, using two details from the reading. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, and what happened in his tent led to solemn words about his family.
Welcome: Noah's Vineyard and His Sons
5 minIntroduce “Noah's Vineyard and His Sons” and locate Genesis 9:18–29. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, and what happened in his tent led to solemn words about his family. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Genesis 9:18, Genesis 9:24, Genesis 9:29
Read and explain the passage
12 minAfter the flood, Noah’s family began life again on the earth. Noah’s sons who came out of the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham was the father of Canaan. From these three sons, the earth was populated.
When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. Then Noah spoke solemn words. He said that Canaan would be cursed and would be a servant of servants to his brothers.
After the flood, Noah lived 350 more years. Altogether, Noah lived 950 years, and then he died. What do you notice about the different actions of the brothers in this passage?
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Noah's Vineyard and His Sons”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Genesis 9:18, Genesis 9:19, Genesis 9:28, Genesis 9:24, Genesis 9:25, Genesis 9:27, Genesis 9:29
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard, and what happened in his tent led to solemn words about his family. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Genesis 9:21, Genesis 9:20, Genesis 9:24, Genesis 9:25, Genesis 9:27, Genesis 9:28, Genesis 9:29
Make and respond: Choices and outcomes evidence map
12 minWork on “Noah's Vineyard and His Sons: Choices and outcomes evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Noah's Vineyard and His Sons” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Genesis 9:18, Genesis 9:24, Genesis 9:29
Closing: return to Noah's Vineyard and His Sons
3 minRevisit Genesis 9:18–29. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Noah's Vineyard and His Sons and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Genesis 9:18, Genesis 9:24, Genesis 9:29
Questions to explore
“Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard. He drank some of the wine and became drunk. While he was inside his tent, he lay uncovered. The passage tells this plainly and does not present Noah’s drunkenness as something good.
Genesis 9:21, Genesis 9:20, Genesis 9:24
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him.”?
When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him. Then Noah spoke solemn words. He said that Canaan would be cursed and would be a servant of servants to his brothers.
Genesis 9:24, Genesis 9:25, Genesis 9:27
What do you notice about the different actions of the brothers in this passage?
After the flood, Noah lived 350 more years. Altogether, Noah lived 950 years, and then he died.
Genesis 9:28, Genesis 9:29, Genesis 9:24
Make, think or respond
Noah's Vineyard and His Sons: Choices and outcomes evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Words or actions”, “What happens next”, “Verse reference”.
- Read Genesis 9:18–29. Use “Noah's Vineyard and His Sons” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Compare two actions or statements in the account and explain their different outcomes.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Noah's Vineyard and His Sons connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Noah's Vineyard and His Sons” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Genesis 9:18–29. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Genesis 9:18–29. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Genesis 9
18 The sons of Noah who went out from the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham is the father of Canaan.
19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.
20 Noah began to be a farmer, and planted a vineyard.
21 He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent.
22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.
23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness.
24 Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done to him.
25 He said, “Canaan is cursed. He will be a servant of servants to his brothers.”
26 He said, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.
27 May God enlarge Japheth. Let him dwell in the tents of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.”
28 Noah lived three hundred fifty years after the flood.
29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.