U N I T 3 | S E S S I O N 3
GOD PROVIDED ISAAC
G E N E S I S 2 1 – 2 2
KEY PASSAGE:
Psalm 135:5-6
BIG PICTURE QUESTION:
Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth.
Nothing is outside of God’s good plan.
CHRIST CONNECTION:
Abraham showed his love for God by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac.
God provided a ram instead. This is how God showed His love for us: He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we could have eternal life through Him.
/PWFNCFS
15-20
MINUTES 15-20
MINUTES THE WEEK
PRIOR 10-15
MINUTES 25-30
MINUTES
PREPARE
PREPARE YOUR HEART TO TEACH; PLAN
THE SESSION
WELCOME
GREET KIDS and OPEN THE SESSION
LEARN
TEACH KIDS THE STORY OF THE GOSPEL
LOVE
LEAD KIDS TO LOVE THE GOD OF THE GOSPEL
LIVE
LEAD KIDS TO LIVE OUT THE MISSION
OF THE GOSPEL
PREPARE
P R I O R T O T E A C H I N G T H E S E S S I O N
LEADER
LEADER Bible Study
It’s been said that when a word or phrase is repeated in the Bible, we ought to pay close attention. In Genesis 22, Abraham repeated one phrase three times: “Here I am.”
Abraham first used “Here I am” on his journey when God called his name.
Abraham’s eager response to God shows that he was ready and expectant to hear from God.
Abraham then used this phrase in
response to his son, Isaac. On the journey to the place of sacrifice, Isaac called out to his father and Abraham responded, “Here I am.”
Even though Abraham was surely wrestling with what God had commanded him to do, he was eager to hear from his son and help him understand what God was doing.
Third, Abraham responded to the angel of the Lord: “Here I am.” The angel called Abraham’s name twice as he was about to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Even in a tense and emotional moment, Abraham was sensitive to the Lord and eager to hear from him.
Abraham’s use of this phrase clearly shows
challenging task God had put before him, Abraham remained steadfast in His openness to the Lord.
God desires that we always be ready for however He may intend to use us for His glory and our good. It may be as we drive along in the car, as we hurry through a long list of tasks at work, or in the stillness of a quiet moment with the Lord early in the morning. It also may come in the intensity of grieving the loss of a loved one, navigating conflict in the body of Christ, or as we gather with others to worship. Whenever we sense the leading of the Spirit of God, may we take a posture similar
to Abraham, always willingly to say, “Here I am.”
TERMS TO KNOW.
Sacrifice: What the worshiper brings to God to express love, thanksgiving, or the need for forgiveness.
Jesus’ death provided the sacrifice to remove sin. Christians are instructed to sacrifice, or give up their own desires, to follow Jesus.
GATHER
GATHER Supplies
Keep a regular supply of the following items available at all times: Bibles, pens or pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue or tape, paper.
WELCOME
Activity Page
F “Prized Possessions”
activity page
Session Starter (Option 2) F index cards, 6
F pictures depicting: an athlete, a soldier, a musician, sleeping, junk food, and video games (optional)
LEARN
Introduce the Session F countdown video
Big Picture Question F Big Picture Question
Poster
Review the Timeline F Giant Timeline
Tell the Bible Story F “God Provided Isaac”
video
F Bible Story Picture Poster
Questions from Kids F “Unit 3, Session 3”
Questions from Kids video
Missions Moment F “For His Children”
missions video
Key Passage Activity F Key Passage Poster F large pieces of paper F “For I Know
(Psalm 135:5-6)” song F other worship songs
(optional)
LOVE
Discussion & Bible Skills F Small Group Timeline
and Map Set (optional)
LIVE
Activity Choice (Option 1) F masking tape or
painter’s tape
Activity Choice (Option 2) F ball or small item for
each team
Reflection and Prayer F Bible Story Coloring
Pages, 1 per kid (optional) PREPARE
P R I O R T O T E A C H I N G T H E S E S S I O N
WELCOME WELCOME Kids
Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, ask kids about their week, and help new kids connect to your group.
SAY When we love someone a lot we often give them gifts. A gift doesn’t always have to be something you buy. Sometimes a gift is special time spent together or a kind word. Tell us about a time you gave someone a special gift.
ACTIVITY PAGE (5 minutes)
Invite kids to complete the “Prized Possessions” activity page.
SAY Which of these items would be the most important to you? Was there something you love that wasn’t on the list? How would you feel if you had that thing but were told to give it away?
Would that be hard or easy for you?
SESSION STARTER (10 minutes)
OPTION 1: WHAT WE LOVE
Instruct the kids to sit in a circle. Choose one kid to go first. He will begin by saying something he loves (e.g. a person in his family, a sport, a toy). The next kid will repeat the first kid’s answer then add his own. Continue around the circle until everyone has had a turn.
SAY We all have things that we love. The Bible tells us we must love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we do that, we are willing to give God whatever He asks of us. In our story we’ll hear what God asked Abraham to do and how Abraham was willing to give God what He wanted, no matter what it cost him.
OPTION 2: GIVING IT UP
Write the following on separate index cards:
• Career: athlete
• Career: teacher
• Career: musician
• Behavior: sleeping late
• Behavior: eating junk food
• Behavior: playing video games
Display the six cards. Challenge the kids to match each Behavior card to a Career card to show which careers would be most likely to give up which behaviors. You may choose to print pictures to use instead of index cards.
SAY We often must give up certain things to excel at other things. Often it’s hard to give up things we enjoy, but such sacrifices may be necessary. Our Bible story today is about a much harder sacrifice. Let’s learn more.
WELCOME
LEARN
T H E S T O R Y O F T H E G O S P E L
INTRODUCE
INTRODUCE the Bible Story
INTRODUCE THE SESSION (3 minutes)
Show the countdown video as you transition to introduce the Bible story. Set it to end as the session begins.
SAY Hello friends! It’s great to see you back this week. We have a really interesting story to share with you today and I can’t wait to unpack it with you.
Have you ever read or heard something that was confusing? Maybe your teacher was explaining a new topic that didn’t make sense. Or you were in dance class having a hard time learning a new technique. In our lives we experience things that don’t make sense. Sometimes that happens with the Bible too. We can read things that we don’t quite understand. That’s why we need the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom while we read. He will help us know what God’s Word says and why we need to know it.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION (1 minute)
SAY That reminds me of the big picture question we have been answering. Who is in control?
We know that God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. Nothing is outside of God’s good plan. I’m so glad the answer to that question isn’t me! Can you imagine if you or I were in control over everything? We would surely mess it all up. But God doesn’t make mistakes. God is perfect in everything He does and is never surprised by the things that happen in life.
REVIEW THE TIMELINE (1 minute)
Show the giant timeline. Point to individual Bible stories as you review.
SAY Abraham was certainly surprised by God many times. We’ve learned that God spoke to Abraham and called him to pack up his whole family and move to a new land. God promised to give Abraham a large family, even though he was old and didn’t have any children. God also said He would give Abraham’s descendants that land he had moved to. God would bless the whole world through Abraham’s family. Now all Abraham had to do was wait for God to keep that promise.
LEARN
T H E S T O R Y O F T H E G O S P E L
LEARN
LEARN the Bible Story
TELL THE BIBLE STORY: VIDEO OR STORYTELLER (10 minutes)
Open your Bible to Genesis 21–22. Use the Bible storytelling tips to help you tell the story, or show the Bible story video “God Provided Isaac.” Use the bold text to retell or review the story.
GOD PROVIDED ISAAC
God kept His promise to give Abraham a son. Abraham and his wife Sarah were very old when their son Isaac was born. One day, God tested Abraham. He wanted to make sure that Abraham loved God most of all.
“Abraham,” God said.
“Here I am,” Abraham answered.
“Take your son Isaac to the mountain and give him to Me as a sacrifice,” God said. Abraham obeyed God. He got up early the next day and left with Isaac, two servants, and a donkey carrying supplies. They walked for three days before they got to the mountain where God wanted Abraham to make the sacrifice. Abraham asked his servants to stay with the donkey. “We’ll be back,” he said. Then he and Isaac went up the mountain with the supplies for the sacrifice.
Isaac saw something was missing. “My father,” he said, “where is the lamb for the offering?” Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb.”
When they got to the place God had directed them, Abraham built an altar and placed the wood on top. Then he put Isaac on top of the wood. Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, the angel of the Lord called out, “Abraham, Abraham!”
Abraham stopped. “Here I am,” he said.
The angel of the Lord said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” Abraham looked up and saw a ram trapped by its horns in the bushes. He offered the ram to God instead of Isaac. Abraham named the place The Lord Will Provide.
The angel of the Lord reminded Abraham that God would keep the covenant He made with Abraham. God again promised to bless Abraham, to make his family as numerous as all the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashores. God promised victory over Abraham’s enemies and blessing to all the earth through Abraham’s
STORYTELLING TIPS Use silence for effect:
Build suspense by pausing at various times as you tell the story. For example, pause after Isaac questions Abraham about the sacrifice and again after Abraham puts Isaac on the altar.
Convey emotions: Let your face reflect some of the emotions Abraham may have felt—confusion, fear, grief, relief,
gratitude, and so forth.
LEARN
T H E S T O R Y O F T H E G O S P E L
REVIEW THE BIBLE STORY
SAY Sometimes stories in the Bible are hard to understand. It may be difficult for us to
understand why God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. God does not call for human sacrifice, but in this story God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a means of testing Abraham’s faith. Let’s take a look at three important things we can take away from this story.
First, this story shows that God provides the greater sacrifice. God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son. He told Abraham to do this as a means of testing and growing his faith. Abraham didn’t waver. He was ready to obey. On the way up the mountain Isaac noticed that they didn’t have what was needed for the sacrifice. Abraham told him that God himself would provide. Just like God provided the ram for Abraham to sacrifice, God provided the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. God called Abraham to offer his son, but instead God gave up His one and only Son on our behalf.
Second, we learn that God knows what is best for us. The Lord had something to teach Abraham in this story. Abraham may have been tempted to love his son Isaac more than he loved God. But God had something better in store for Abraham. God wanted Abraham’s faith to grow and for Abraham’s love for God to go even deeper. God wants the same for us. Are there things in your life you are tempted to love more than God? Those things may not be bad things, but if anything becomes and idol in our hearts, it becomes bad for us. God wants what is best for us, and that is Himself! God wants us to know and love Him, to trust and obey Him alone.
Third, we see that God always keeps His promises. When Abraham demonstrated his great faith in and love for God, God reminded Abraham again of His promise. God promised Abraham that He would make his descendants as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and that one day his family would take possession of the special land that God would give them. God also reminded Abraham of His promise to bless all the nations of the world through his descendants.
CHRIST CONNECTION
SAY Abraham showed his love for God by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. God provided a ram instead. This is how God showed His love for us: He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we could have eternal life through Him.
(Tip: Use Scripture and the guide provided to explain how to become a Christian. Make sure kids know when and where they can ask questions.)
QUESTIONS FROM KIDS (3 minutes)
Show the “Unit 3, Session 3” questions from kids video. Prompt the kids to discuss:
1. Why did God test Abraham? Do you think God might test you?
2. When do you feel most loved?
LEARN
T H E S T O R Y O F T H E G O S P E L
MISSIONS MOMENT (3 minutes)
SAY The Caldwell family from Virginia went to Ecuador with a team from their church to work with a ministry called For His Children. Let’s find out more about this ministry to children and families.
Play the missions video. Ask kids to describe some of the activities they saw and the care the children are receiving. Ask a volunteer to pray for missionaries in Ecuador and the For His Children ministry. Also pray for any missionaries your church supports.
KEY PASSAGE ACTIVITY (10 minutes)
Show the key passage poster. Lead the kids to read together the passage. Then instruct the kids to get into groups of 2-3. Pass out the paper and markers and invite the kids to create a poster with the key passage. They can decorate it however they wish. Then, the kids will cut their poster into puzzle-shaped pieces. The groups can trade puzzles and practice putting them together.
SAY Our key passage comes from the book of Psalms. The world “psalm” means song. So this book contains worship songs to be sung to God. Just like lots of songs that are written today, the psalms express a wide range of emotions. Sometimes the writer was sad and expressed his grief or mourning to God. Our key passage comes from Psalm 135 which contains reminders of all that God has done for His people. In remembering God’s faithfulness the writer, he praises God!
Lead the kids to sing “For I Know (Psalm 135:5-6).” You may also choose other worship songs to sing
PRAY (2 minutes)
Invite kids to pray before transitioning to apply the story.
SAY Father, we are so thankful that we have Your word and can know You through these words.
You are wonderful and we want to praise You for all that You have done for us. Give us thankful hearts this week. Help us to love You more than anything else. Amen.
Transition from LOVE to LIVE
LOVE
T H E G O D O F T H E G O S P E L
LOVE
LOVE God by Applying the Story
BIBLE SKILLS & REVIEW (10 minutes)
Distribute Bibles and help the kids find Genesis 21-22. Remind kids that Genesis is the very first book in the Old Testament. Ask for a volunteer to name the first five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
SAY Our story today teaches us about God’s faithfulness to provide everything we need. God wants us to love Him more than anything else in our lives. He alone is worthy of all our worship.
GROUP DISCUSSION (10 minutes)
Ask the following questions. Lead the kids to discuss their answers.
SAY Why do you think Abraham was able to trust God?
Guide the kids to see that Abraham knew God’s promise to provide a family for him. The whole world would be blessed through Abraham’s family. It took great faith for Abraham to trust God. Consider reading Hebrews 11:1 to the kids or having a volunteer read it. Explain that we have faith when we are confident in the things we hope for. It requires faith to trust that God is with us and is working for our good and His glory. Remember, who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. Nothing is outside of God’s good plan. It takes faith to trust that the Bible comes from God and that He speaks to us through it. We can have faith like Abraham and trust and obey God.
SAY Who is someone you love very much? How do you show that person you love them?
Help the kids understand that God tested Abraham because God wanted to know if he loved him more than anything else. Was Abraham willing to sacrifice the son he loved for God?
The stakes were high for Abraham but he didn’t waver. Abraham loved God and was willing to do whatever God asked of him, even when it meant his own son would die. Do we love God so much that we put Him before everything else in our lives? We can point to the things we love most by the way we spend our time, or thoughts, or even our money. If there are things we are tempted to love more than God we can turn away from those idols and turn to God instead. He is worthy of our worship and ultimately, He is the one who will satisfy our hearts.
SAY What are some of the good things God has provided for you?
After God gave Abraham the ram to sacrifice, Abraham named the mountain The Lord will Provide. This served as a reminder of the incredible thing God had done for him. God provided the sacrifice, so Abraham didn’t have to lose his only son. God provides for us today too. Every good gift we have comes from God. We can thank and praise Him for all that He gives to us. The greatest gift is Jesus, our Savior and the way that we can be made right with God.
LIVE
T H E M I S S I O N O F T H E G O S P E L
LIVE
LIVE the Mission
ACTIVITY CHOICE (10 minutes)
OPTION 1: LA RAYUELA GAME
Use masking tape to make a standard hopscotch grid on the floor. Explain that in Ecuador, this game is called La Rayuela (righ yoo AY luh). Invite kids to make a line and take turns jumping through the grid like hopscotch. When everyone has had a turn, invite kids to sit around the grid.
SAY This is a popular game for kids in Ecuador to play. If you go to Ecuador, you might also play soccer, card games, or a game called trompo that is played with a spinning wooden top. If people from Ecuador come to our community, what kinds of activities might they learn to enjoy?
Discuss popular games or activities with your kids. Point out that kids growing up in different cultures still have a lot in common.
SAY Kids all over the world need to know that Jesus loves them. Pray that kids in other countries will hear about and trust in Jesus.
How could you use games like soccer to show Jesus’ love to kids in your community?
OPTION 2: THE DOWNLINE
Form two teams and instruct the teams to stand in line, front to back. Give the first person on each team a beanbag or small ball. Explain that the goal is to move the ball to the end of the line as fast as possible.
The kids can be creative in how they do this.
The team to reach the end first wins.
SAY Great job obeying the instructions!
In our story God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Those were some difficult instructions for Abraham, but he loved and trusted God. While we did this activity you may have had questions about how you were supposed to move the ball from one side to the other. Abraham probably had a lot of questions for God, but he trusted God anyway. There might be times in your life when God tells you to do something hard or confusing. But just like Abraham, you can trust and obey God!
REFLECTION AND PRAYER (5 minutes)
Distribute a sheet of paper and pencil to each kid. Ask the kids to write about or draw a picture to answer the following questions:
• What does this story teach me about God or the gospel?
• What does this story teach me about myself?
• Who can I tell about this story?