Introduction

• In the last lesson, we learned about how we can give glory to God. Does being obedient to those in authority over us give glory to God? (Yes.) What if we do not take care of God’s creation? Does that honour him? (No.)
• Today, we will learn about a very difficult thing God asked Abraham to do.

Bible Story

Many years passed. Then, God decided to test Abraham.
“Go get Isaac,” God said. “Take him to the mountain that I show you. There, build an altar, start a fire, and kill Isaac as a sacrifice to me.”
So, Abraham got up early the next morning, chopped wood for a fire, and saddled up his donkey.
He headed to the mountain where God told him to go, taking Isaac and two servants with him.
After three days, they arrived. Abraham told his servants to stay while Isaac and he went a little further to worship God. Abraham put the wood on Isaac’s shoulder, but he carried the hot coals and the knife himself.
“Father,” Isaac said. “We have coals and wood, but where is the lamb to sacrifice?”
“God will provide the lamb,” Abraham replied.
When they reached the place God had told Abraham about, he built an altar and placed the wood on it. Next, Abraham tied up Isaac and put him on the wood. Then, Abraham took the knife and prepared to kill the son he dearly loved.
“Abraham!” an angel shouted from heaven.
“Yes,” Abraham replied.
“Do not hurt Isaac!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God. You were willing to offer your son to him!”
Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horn in the bushes nearby. So, Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it instead.

Review

Even when it was difficult to do the right thing, Abraham chose to obey God. In the same way that Abraham was willing to offer his son, God was also willing to sacrifice his Son, Jesus. In fact, Jesus did die. Jesus died for all of the bad things that we have done. He did this because he loves us so much.
God no longer needs or wants blood sacrifices. Sacrifices in the Old Testament point to the greatest sacrifice that was still to come. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. He died on the cross to pay the debt caused by our sins. Jesus is the only sacrifice needed for our sins.

1. How does pride make God feel? (Angry, sad)
2. What is the opposite of prideful? (Having humility, obeying and following God’s way)
3. In what ways are people prideful today? (They seek money, fame and their own way instead of seeking God’s way.)
4. Are you prideful or humble? How do your actions and choices show this?

Prayer

Dear God,
Thank you for being a faithful God! Help me to be aware of all the blessings you give each day. Amen.