Abraham and Sarah
OBJECTIVE
The theme for the Old Testament module in 1st grade is learning about the Fathers of our church. The Fathers taught us what it means to obey and ultimately have faith in God. In the story of Abraham and Sarah, we learn about Abraham and Sarah's faith and commitment to God.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes
Have you heard of Abraham and Sarah? Did you know that they had different names and God changed them?
Show the following video to introduce the lesson:
Pause the video as needed to explain something.
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes
Memory Verse
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14).
Explain the meaning of this.
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes
Abram was married to Sarai and they were of old age. They really wanted a child but Sarai was not able to have children. One day, Abram asked God, "Who will have my things after I die?" God promised Abraham that he and his wife will one day have children. God told Abram to look at the sky. He said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them...So your seed shall be" (Genesis 15:5).
A few years later, when Abram was 99 years old, God changed his name to Abraham, which means "father of many nations." He also changed Sarai's name to Sarah.
God told Abraham and Sarah that they were to have a son. Abraham couldn't believe being able to have a child at such an old age. He laughed so hard that he fell on his face Then God said, "No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac" (Genesis 17:19).
One day three visitors came to Abraham's house. Abraham greeted them, offered them food, and a place to rest. Abraham brought milk, butter, and meat to his visitors to eat.
While the visitors were eating they asked Abraham where Sarah was. Abraham said, "Here in the tent" (Genesis 18:9). One of the men told Abraham that by this time next year when they come back to visit him, they will have a child. Sarah, who was listening, started laughing. She couldn't believe they could have a child at such an old age; she was almost 100 years old
Later when the visitors left, Abraham and Sarah realized the man who told them they would have a child was indeed God.
"And the Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh, saying, 'Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:13-14)
A year later Sarah did have a son and they named him Isaac, which means "he laughs."
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes
- What does "father of many nations" mean?
- Why was it wrong for Sarah and Abraham to laugh when God told them they would have a son?
LIFE APPLICATION - 10 Minutes
The main idea of this lesson is to have faith in God. When God made a promise to Abraham and Sarah, they couldn't believe Him because they were so old. But God keeps His promises and we must always remember that.
Next time we see ourselves question God and not feel happy with something, always remind yourself that God will take care of you.
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
SERVANT RESOURCES
- Refer to the Old Testament Timeline attached for major events and chronological order through the Bible.
- Old Testament Books Song- Missing Deuterocanonical books (Tobit and Judith from history books, Wisdom and Sirach from poetic books, Baruch, 1&2 Maccabees from prophetic books, and the Prayer of Manasseh)
PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK
This week we learned about the story of Abraham and Sarah. God made a promise to Abraham and Sarah. He said they would have a son, but Abraham and Sarah doubted this because they were of very old age. However, God kept his promise. Talk with your children about always having faith in God and knowing that God always keeps His promises.