Curriculum
Isaac is Born
Memory Verse:
“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised.” Genesis 21:1
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
God promised Abraham that he’d have many children and descendants, and for many years it appeared that it wouldn’t happen. But God came through, just as He had promised, and gave Abraham and Sarah their first son. Whether things seem possible or impossible, God keeps His promises.
Scripture Summary
In the words of Genesis 12:1-3, also referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant, God promises to bless Abram (later to be renamed Abraham) and make him into a great nation. At this time, Abram was about 75 years old and didn’t have any children.
When he was about 99 years old, Abraham welcomed three visitors to his camp outside of Sodom. In that time, part of one’s reputation was established by his or her hospitality. Meeting physical needs like food and shelter and engaging in conversation are all aspects of genuine hospitality. Just as Hebrews 13:2 says, Abraham was entertaining angels.
These strangers, messengers of the Lord, communicated a more specific promise from God to Abraham. As the first step in Abraham becoming a great nation, the messengers said that Abraham’s wife, Sarah, would have a child in the next year.
Nothing is impossible for God. Even bearing a child in old age. While Sarah laughed at the thought of finally having a child, after all of these years, a greater sin was when she lied about laughing. God can handle our genuine, raw thoughts, and He knows them anyway.
God fulfilled His promise to Abraham… in His own time (Genesis 21:2). The impossible is possible for God, and we can trust His timing. Sarah had doubted and feared how God would bring about all that He had promised, and she went without the joy and peace that comes from fully trusting God (even with the unimaginable). When she held Isaac in her arms, she was able to cry out to God in joy.
Why Is This Important
It seemed impossible for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham and Sarah. But just in time, Isaac was born. Whether things seem possible or impossible, God keeps His promises.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
Just in Time
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9)
Be patient. Ugh, I often cringe at these words. I can blame society or my achieving personality, but I often want solutions, next steps, and blessings… right now. I think of what C.S. Lewis said, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Just like in the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac, God’s timing was perfect and “at the very time God had promised him” (Genesis 21:2).
If Abraham and Sarah were like me, they were impatient. She cried herself to sleep as her arms ached to hold a child. He possibly defended himself and his childless family at the scornful looks and comments from those in their community. They wanted a child and were waiting on God to fulfill His promise.
Ponder your own life, complete with ups, downs, and times of waiting. Look for specific times in your childhood, teen years, young adulthood, and possibly even yesterday, when you waited on God. (Yes, take time right now to think of these times.)
Now take out a sheet of blank paper and draw a line down the middle (lengthwise). In the left-hand column, write down two or three specific instances in your life where God came through in a big way after a time of waiting. In the right-hand column, write down one or two blessings that came out of that waiting.
Honestly, I’d prefer for God to move faster in many cases. Waiting can be really hard, especially when we know that God’s way is best and I would have missed out on specific and beautiful lessons. You and I can trust our good, good Father to not only love us but to keep His promises to us.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving me and knowing what is best. It can be so hard to trust You and Your timing. Please help me remember Your goodness and trustworthiness in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: “Isaac Is Born How- to Video”, Bibles, Cardstock, Markers, Washable paint, Pie tin or something to pour paint in, Something to clean up with
“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised.” Genesis 21:1
Children will make baby announcements for the birth of Isaac. Help them follow these steps.
- Fold a sheet of cardstock or construction paper to make a card.
- On the front cover, write this part of the verse at the bottom: Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said.
- On the inside of the card, write: And the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised. Genesis 21:1
- On the front of the card, help children make a footprint as follows:
- Make a fist.
- Dip the pinky finger side of your fist in paint.
- Gently press the side of your fist on the paper.
- Use one finger to add toes to the baby footprint.
- Clean up.
As the footprints dry, SAY: When Sarah had baby Isaac, she was almost
100 years old. Often when a woman is close to 100 years old, she is a great-great grandmother. That means she has had kids who had kids who had kids who had kids. Her body is no longer prepared to have babies because that part of her life is finished. So when Sarah had baby Isaac, it was a miracle that God did because God keeps His promises.
Encourage children to take their baby announcements home to share with their families the Bible memory verse and what God did when He kept His promises to Sarah.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: “God Kept His Promise Book” handouts, Markers, Stapler
Get Ready: Photocopy a set of “God Kept His Promise Book” handouts for each child.
Children will each make a book called “God Kept His Promise.” Here is the copy that is in the book.
Cover:
God Kept His Promise
Page 1:
Three men appeared to Abraham in the heat of the day.
Abraham bowed low and said do not pass me by.
Abraham washed their feet and served a yummy meal.
Page 2:
The three men asked, “Where is your wife?” “Sarah’s in the tent.”
One man said to Abraham, “Get ready for a gift!
This time next year, your sweet wife Will surely have a son.”
Page 3:
Sarah laughed inside the tent. Because her body was so old.
Page 4:
But just as God had promised... In one year,
Sarah had a son.
To make the “God Kept His Promise” book, help children follow these steps:
- Color each page.
- Lay the pages in order with the cover on top.
- Staple the edges.
Read the book to the children as they follow along in their books. Encourage children to take their books home to share with their families.
SAY: You can always trust God to do what He promises, just as He did for Sarah!
Snack
Unbelievable Snacks
You’ll Need: Jars of baby food kids will eat, such as pudding or fruit (one jar per child), Spoons, Napkins
ASK:
- Do you remember eating baby food?
- Did you like baby food or not?
SAY: You’re not a baby anymore but we’re going to eat an unbelievable snack today. It’s baby food. You can choose the jar you want.
Serve the baby food.
SAY: As you eat this unbelievable snack, remember that Sarah thought what God promised was unbelievable too. But it wasn’t unbelievable, because God keeps His promises.
Let children enjoy the baby food.
Game
Ha Ha Game
ASK:
- Why do you think Sarah laughed when she heard what the men said about her having a baby at 100?
- Would you have laughed? Why or why not?
SAY: God still kept His promise to Sarah because God is a forgiving God and I think He understood Sarah’s reaction. Let’s play a game that just might make us laugh too.
Have everyone lie in a circle with each person’s head on their neighbor’s stomach.
1. The first person says, “Ha.”
2, The second person says, “Ha Ha.”
3. The third person says, “Ha Ha Ha.”
Have children keep going around the circle, adding one Ha with each person. Children will try not to laugh, but it’s not easy. Very quickly fake laughs turn into real ones.
SAY: We learned an important lesson about how God keeps His promises. We can laugh with joy instead of disbelief when we hear God’s great promises to us.
Craft
Onesie, Twosie Craft
You’ll Need: Solid onesie for each child, Fabric paint pens, Cardboard inserts for the onesies, Clean up supplies
Children will create gifts to give to babies. You can donate these to organizations in your community.
To make the Onesies, help children follow these steps:
- Place a cardboard insert between the front and back of the onesie.
- Use fabric paint to paint children’s hands.
- Make a handprint on the Onesie.
- Allow to dry.
Thank children for making gifts for new babies that will help families like Abraham and Sarah’s.
Prayer
Help Me Believe Prayer
SAY: To close in prayer today, we’re going to read some of God’s promises. Maybe these are promises that you need to believe today.
Read these promises one at a time. After each promise, ask children to say whether they need God’s help in believing that promise.
READ: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
ASK: If you need God’s help believing that God keeps His promise to always be with you, raise your hand please.
Pray for children by name.
READ: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
ASK: If you need God’s help believing that God will forgive you, raise your hand please.
Pray for children by name.
READ: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
ASK: If you need God’s help believing that God will provide for you, raise your hand please.
Pray for children by name.
Close in prayer, thanking God for keeping His promises always.
