Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. (Genesis 22:12)

Transcription

1 2 nd /3 rd Grade Sep 30 Abraham and Isaac Bible Verse Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. (Genesis 22:12) Teacher Enrichment This is the fifth lesson in the Old School: Lessons from the Old Testament series which examines many well-known stories from the Old Testament. Each week will explore how God is revealed through the events and characters of a Bible story. This series will build a base of Old Testament Bible knowledge for children. God had promised Abraham more descendants than there are stars in the sky. It took 25 years, but God kept His promise and Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah. Particularly after waiting so many years for a child, Isaac was very precious to Abraham. In Genesis 22, God asks Abraham to obey Him by sacrificing Isaac. Abraham must have felt horror at the idea of killing his son, yet Abraham chose to obey God. In the end, God spares Isaac, but the lesson of obedience is profound. God expects obedience to Him and His commandments and it is not always easy. Are we willing to give up our most precious things if God asks us? Are we willing to sacrifice time, money or comfort to put God first in our lives and to love our neighbor as our self? Obedience to God often requires hard choices and Abraham gives us a powerful example to follow. This lesson teaches children that God requires obedience to His commandments. They will begin to understand that obedience to God is not always easy and may require sacrifices.

2 Before Class Begins Place the Sign In sheet and a pen where parents can see it upon arrival. Place the Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards and pens where students can see them upon arrival. Check that you have supplies for this lesson: Arrival Activity, Abraham and Isaac activity sheet 1 per child Poster Board Magazines Place an arrival activity at each place on the table. Welcome SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards, Attendance chart, stickers, pens, Abraham and Isaac activity sheet, pencils, markers Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name. Help children find or add their name on the attendance chart. Provide each child with a sticker to place in today s column on the attendance chart. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express. Collect completed Joy & Concern cards. Encourage children to complete a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. Children should keep their own completed Time and Talent cards. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to complete Abraham and Isaac activity sheet. Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your classroom by asking about their week including school, activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships. Children s Worship SUPPLIES: Sign In sheet, Joy & Concern cards, Time & Talent cards

3 The Children s Worship Leader will direct your class to come to Ruth Hall at 9:20 or 11:05. Bring the Sign In sheet and completed Joy & Concern cards to Ruth Hall. Hand the Joy & Concern cards to the Children s Worship leader as you arrive. Have children bring their completed Time & Talent cards and any monetary offering. If additional children arrive while in Ruth Hall, have parents complete the Sign In sheet and remind parents that pickup is in Room 105. Encourage children to participate in Children s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Assist the Children s Worship leader as needed. At the conclusion of Children s Worship, have children line up and return to Room 105. The Lesson SUPPLIES: Favorite Things poster, magazines, blank paper, scissors, glue SAY: Today we learned about Abraham and his son Isaac. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his more precious, favorite thing: Isaac. We are going to make a poster of our favorite things. I would like you to go through these magazines and catalogs, cut out pictures of your favorite things and glue them to the poster. You may also draw specific favorite things (e.g. teddy bear or blanket, possession, person) Provide magazines and catalogs for children to peruse. Encourage children to cut out or draw 2-4 things each to glue on the poster. Leave enough time (10-15 minutes) for the discussion. Gather all the children in a circle on the carpet. As you are able, sit on the floor with them or use a chair as part of the circle. Lead a discussion using the discussion guide below.

4 Discussion Guide We have some great things on our poster. How would you feel if you had to give up one or all of these things? Might not care if it s something simple like a favorite food; might miss it if it s a favorite sport or activity; might be really hard if it s a very special possession or has sentimental value; could be devastating if it s a favorite person. The more precious something is, the harder it would be. God doesn t always ask us to give up our favorite things, but He does always ask us to obey Him. What are some ways God asks us to obey? Think Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule It was hard for Abraham to obey God and give up Isaac. Is it ever hard for you to obey God? Obedience might require sacrifice (e.g. missing a party or event because you come to church instead; not spending as much time with a friend because they are not making choices God would want; helping parents instead of playing video games; donating money or time to charity) Has God ever asked you to obey in a specific way? When you feel that tug in your heart to do something you know is right Closing Lead the children in a closing prayer. You may say your own prayer, ask one of the children to say a prayer or use the one below. God, It is not always easy to do what we know is right. Please help us to obey your commandments. Amen If time remains before parents arrive, encourage children to return to their Abraham and Isaac activity sheet if they did not complete it. Also encourage

5 conversation between children and with you. This is another opportunity to build relationships with the children in your classroom.