The children will learn that:-
Bible Story Reference: Genesis 22:1-18
Memory Verse:
Luke 4:8 (NIV)
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.”
Opening Activity
Bible Story
Abraham and God were such good friends that Abraham could always recognize God’s voice. When God spoke to him one night, Abraham
immediately knew who was talking; and he quickly answered. What did God say? Abraham sacrifice Isaac
Abraham was shocked. Could he have been dreaming? No. He knew God’s voice. But how could he possibly do what God was asking? Quietly he got up and went outside. When he looked up at the stars, he remembered God’s promise that through Isaac he would become the father of many nations.
Abraham went over and looked at Sarah. He didn’t dare tell her what God had said. Next, he went to Isaac, who was sleeping soundly. Oh, how Satan was tempting him to not do what God had just told him to do! Maybe Satan said, “God wouldn’t tell you to break His rule that says not to kill!” But Abraham knew exactly what God had said. Gently, he spoke, “Isaac, get up. We are going to offer a very special sacrifice, and we need to leave right away.”
Isaac had gone before with his father to offer sacrifices, so he wasn’t surprised.
Abraham called two servants. Quickly they packed everything that they would need: food, water, wood, a knife, and a little container with a fire in it that they could keep burning as they travelled. They loaded a donkey, and they were soon on their way
Those were three terrible days for Abraham. His heart was so heavy, he couldn’t talk much. He couldn’t yet bear to tell Isaac what God had told him to do.
As he and Isaac climbed the last part of the mountain, Isaac asked the question that Abraham had been dreading. What was it, and how did Abraham answer? Isaac asked where was the animal they were going to sacrifice and Abraham answered that God would provide.
Abraham just couldn’t tell Isaac yet. Maybe he was hoping with all his heart that God would do something so that Isaac wouldn’t be killed as a sacrifice.
When Abraham and Isaac reached the top of the mountain, Isaac helped his father build the altar.
Now Abraham had to tell him what God had asked him to do. Can you imagine how shocked Isaac was? By now he was a strong young man, he could have easily pushed his father away and gone back home. But Isaac had learned to trust God, too. “Do whatever God told you to do, Father,” he said.
They gave each other one last, long hug. Then Isaac laid down on the altar, and Abraham carefully tied him. Tears were streaming down Abraham’s face. His hands trembled as he picked up the knife and raised it.
Suddenly, a voice stopped him. The knife dropped from Abraham’s hand to the ground. Oh, how thankful Abraham and Isaac were! This time, there were tears of joy as Isaac and Abraham hugged each other again.
Then, they both heard a sound. Baaa. Baaa. What was it? A ram. God did provide the sacrifice. Once again He had proven that Abraham truly trusted and obeyed Him.
Abraham obeyed God even when it was hard. And because Abraham trusted and loved God, his obedience was an act of worship.
Questions
Prayer
Father, please help us remember that you gave us everything and it is still yours.
Crafts
“God Will Provide” Ram
What You Need
Steps
Cut out two cloud shapes. This will be the body of the ram.
On one side of the body of the ram, write “God will provide. Genesis 22:8”
Cut out four rectangles. These will be the legs of the ram.
Cut out two circles, one smaller than the other. This will be the head and the ear of the ram.
Glue all the pieces together.