Curriculum

Abraham and Isaac

Abraham and Isaac Go to Curriculum multi-week pack

Bible Background

What Kids Will Learn

God loved Abraham and Isaac. While He asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, God intended this for good. He didn’t want Isaac to die–He wanted Abraham to live more fully for God. We can trust God even when we’re confused.

Scripture Summary

In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises to bless Abram (later to be renamed Abraham) and make him into a great nation. At 75 years old, Abram still didn’t have any children. It wasn’t until Abraham was 100 years old that God fulfilled His promise and gave Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac. As their only child together, Abraham and Sarah doted on Isaac and cherished him as a precious gift from God.

Then God calls out to Abraham and asks him to sacrifice his only son as a burnt offering. It took Abraham and Isaac three days to travel about 50 miles to Mount Moriah. This was truly a long, hard act of obedience. Even when Isaac asked Abraham about needing an animal to sacrifice, Abraham communicated his faith in God to provide.

In the Old Testament under the Old Covenant, followers of God made sacrifices to atone for their sins. A sacrifice was typically one of the finest heads of cattle or other animal killed and burned as an offering to God. Under the New Covenant, Jesus Christ bore our sins on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice.

And an angel of the Lord called out to Abraham at the last minute. God didn’t want Isaac to die and was against human sacrifice (Leviticus 20:1-5). God’s desire was to test Abraham. While it may seem that God was being cruel, He was providing the opportunity to deepen Abraham’s obedience, character, and faith.

Why Is This Important

Following what God says can be difficult. He always loves us and wants what’s best for us. We need to listen to God closely for opportunities to live more fully for Him. The story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice God and Jesus, God’s only Son, make for us.

Teacher Devotion

Scripture

Peace That Doesn’t Make a Bit of Sense

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

I’m plagued with the desire to understand that which I shouldn’t or wouldn’t understand anyway. There are so many challenges (and even blessings) in my family, world, community, and country that I just don’t understand. I think if only I could understand, I would better accept or even solve the situation. I realize that if I understood my past and saw where I was headed, I would be self-reliant and would not need to trust God.

The possibility of not needing God sounds terribly lonely to me. I’d rather trust God to be God and be content to be a sheep in His pasture. Instead of stressing over solutions for every possible outcome of the situation, I can trust Him and His plan. And I can breathe a sigh of relief that the God who loves me is also the God who is trustworthy.

I love how The Message paraphrases Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.”

I trust God. I know that He is love, He sees all, He knows all, and He can communicate His will. But if I’m honest, I don’t always trust myself to listen and listen well. Over the years, I have found that I can trust Him even with my own fears and shortcomings. He created me and knows how to get my attention and communicate His love and plan for me.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being the only source of consistent love and consistent truth. I know that I can trust You with everything. Please show me how to listen to You and follow You more closely today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Get the full Sunday school lesson plan

  • Bible Memory Verse
  • Interactive Bible Experience
  • Animated video with companion questions

Bible Memory Verse

Get Ready: Children will memorize this part of the verse: “God Himself will provide.” Genesis 22:8

“Abraham answered, ‘God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.” Genesis 22:8

Have children think of at least five things that people need, such as food or water. Once they have these things, lead them in the following exercise.

SAY: People need (children fill in the blank) and we know (children say, “God Himself will provide.” Genesis 22:8).

Repeat this process with all five things that people need.

Afterward, encourage children to trust God always for everything they need.

Interactive Bible Experience

You’ll Need: “Alphabet Letters” Handout, cut apart

SAY: God called Abraham the “friend of God.” They were that close! But Abraham did not always pass the test for having faith in God. Two different times, Abraham was afraid so he lied and said that Sarah was his sister instead of his wife. And God had to correct Abraham. Abraham had a lot to learn about having faith in God.

Tell children that you’re going to give them a test. Show children the letters and have them tell what they are.

When you’re finished with the test, put the letters together to show children that they spell FAITH.

SAY: God wanted to know if Abraham had faith in God. So God tested Abraham. And Abraham passed the test.

Snack

Ram Grahams Snack

You’ll Need: Graham cracker squares, White frosting, Chocolate frosting, Mini marshmallows, Small candy eyes, Plastic knives, Paper plates

SAY: God provided for Abraham with a ram that was stuck in a bush. Let’s make Ram Graham Snacks to remind us that God always provides when we trust Him.

Have children follow these steps to make Ram Graham Snacks:

  • Lay your graham cracker half on a plate.
  • Frost the graham cracker with white icing.
  • Dab a bit of chocolate in the center to make the face.
  • Add two small candy eyes to the face.
  • Surround the face with mini marshmallows.
  • Enjoy.

Encourage children to trust God this week when facing any challenges.

Game

Trust Walk Game

You’ll Need: Juice box for each child in a refrigerator

Take children on a Trust Walk by following these steps.

Lead the children around the room, stopping to ask them questions.

  1. Lead children to hop to a set of chairs. Ask, “Do you trust the chair will hold you up?” Have children sit in the chairs. Ask, “What did you do to show you trust the chair?”
  2. Lead children to walk backward to a door. Ask, "Do you trust this door to open and let you through?” Have children walk through the door. Ask, “What did you do to show you trust the door?”
  3. Lead children to skip to a refrigerator with cold drinks. Ask, "Do you trust this refrigerator to keep your drinks cold?" Then hand each child a cold juice box. Ask, “What did you do to show you trust the refrigerator?”
  4. Lead children to take giant steps back to the classroom and say, "Stand here in one spot. Do you trust your legs to hold you up?" Ask, “What did you do to show you trust your legs?”

Have children sit and enjoy their drink as you lead them in this discussion.

  • What does trust mean?
  • Why could you trust the things we encountered?
  • What can you do to show you trust God?

SAY: God has provided many things that we can trust. God is faithful and we can trust Him.

Craft

Chalk Ram Scene

You’ll Need: “Abraham and Isaac How-to Video”, Black construction paper, 1 cup flour, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup shaving cream, Food coloring or soap color, Bowls, Spoons, Paint brushes or Q-tips

Get Ready:

  • Mix the chalk paint with these directions.
  • Mix flour and water until there are no clumps.
  • Add shaving cream.
  • Mix thoroughly.
  • Divide evenly in bowls.
  • Add coloring to make as many colors as you want.

SAY: Abraham trusted God and God provided a ram in a bush. Let’s use chalk paint to paint a picture of a ram in a bush.

Let children create with the chalk paint. Then allow the paint to dry before they take them home

Prayer

Trusting God Prayer

You’ll Need: An altar of some sort (a pile of rocks or a table), Slips of paper, Pens or markers

Get Ready: Create some kind of altar in your room.

Show children the altar you’ve created.

Tell children that in the Old Testament, people had altars where they would worship God.

Give children slips of paper and help them write prayers to God. Then encourage children to go to the altar and place their prayers on it.

Close this time with a prayer of thanksgiving for the way God provides when we trust Him.