Symbols of Salvation: Patriarchs

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this module is to understand the various symbols of the story of our salvation. Each lesson in this module teaches our children how to identify the symbols of salvation in the Old Testament and how Christ fulfilled each one. In this lesson, we will learn how certain stories of the patriarchs of the Old Testament (Abraham, Issac, and Jacob) have symbols that reveal Christ and His plan for our salvation and how we can reveal Christ in our lives.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Please review the previous week's lesson. Remind the children of what a symbol is (reference back to the leaf example in the previous lesson). Review the symbols in the story of Noah and the Ark and remind them of how Christ is seen in each one.

Ask the children if they know what a patriarch is. Remind them of our patriarch, Pope Tawadros II. Remind them how holy a patriarch must be for him to be able to lead God's people. Then ask if they have heard of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Tell them that these were patriarchs of the Old Testament, who led the people of Israel and lived holy lives and who ultimately represented Christ.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Memory Verse- "It is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me " Galatians 2:20

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 25 Minutes

Remind the children of how holy the Old Testament patriarchs were in order for them to represent Christ. Remind them of each patriarch's story one by one, then go on to show them how they were symbols of Christ and how they reflected Him.

Abraham as a type of Christ

Remind the children of the story of how Abraham interceded for the city of Sodom before God, who sought to destroy its people due to their evil deeds (Genesis 18:16-33).

Relate the actions of intercession of Abraham for the people of Sodom to the actions of Christ our Savior.

  • Just as Abraham interceded on behalf of the people of Sodom to God the Father to not destroy them, so also Jesus is our intercessor before God the Father, saving us from our evil deeds and death as a result of sin (1 John 2:1).

Issac as a type of Christ

Remind the children of the story of how Abraham listened to God and how Issac obeyed his father Abraham in being a sacrifice to God (Genesis 22).

Relate the actions of Issac and his obedience to his father Abraham to that of our Savior Jesus

  • Just as Issac willfully obeyed Abraham in being offered as a sacrifice, so also Jesus obeyed the will of God the Father in offering Himself as the true acceptable sacrifice for the salvation of the world (Phillipians 2:8).
  • Issac did not argue nor disobey his father in being a sacrifice to God, but willfully gave himself up, so also our Lord Jesus willfully, out of His own will (John 10:18).
  • Remind the children that Issac was carrying wood on the mountain before Abraham was about to sacrifice him, so also Jesus carried the wood of the cross before dying on the cross for us
  • Just as Issac came down from the mountain alive, so also our Lord Jesus is alive through His Holy Resurrection.

Jacob as a type of Christ

Remind the children of the story of Jacob and Rachel. Emphasize how Jacob wanted to betrothe Rachel, and as he saw Rachel, moved the stone from the door of the well in order to get the water

Relate the actions of Jacob in loving Rachel and moving the stone to our Lord Jesus

  • Just as Jacob saw Rachel and loved her and wanted to betrothe her, so also Jesus our Savior saw us and loved us (the Church) that he wanted us to be His Body. We are His bride and He is our Bridegroom
  • Just as Jacob moved the stone from the well in order to access the water, so also Jesus moved the stone from the door of the tomb in order to save us

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Discuss again what a symbol is. Who were the symbols of this lesson? How did Christ fulfill these symbols? What do these symbols have in common? Have the children reflect on the idea that these men were holy men of God, who represented Christ through their actions and their lives (Abraham as an intercessor for us, Issac as an obedient sacrifice, Jacob as a loving bridegroom).

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

At the end of the discussion, ask the children: How can we reflect Christ in our lives? How can we be a symbol of Christ in our lives, just as Abraham, Issac, and Jacob did. Emphasize that in order for Christ to be seen, we must live a holy life just as Abraham, Issac, and Jacob did because Christ, as we saw in this lesson, was made manifest in them. Remind them of the memory verse.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Materials for Yes or No Signs:

  • Popsicle sticks
  • Blank paper
  • Red and green markers or colored pencils
  • Glue or tape

Children will make "Yes" or "No" signs in order to answer questions that ask if a certain action is Christ-like (What would Jesus do?). For example you will ask, "Would Jesus want me to obey my parents?" Then kids will hold up the "Yes" or "No" signs to answer the question. Ask a series of questions that will allow the children to think about how they would be like Jesus in their lives, just as Abraham, Issac, and Jacob reflected Jesus in their lives.

Instructions:

  • Cut blank paper into small squares to paste onto the popsicle stick
  • Have one side of the paper say "YES" in all green (kids can decorate how they like) and the other side say "NO" in all red
  • Paste paper onto popsicle stick to make a sign

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Remind the children to be Christ-like in their everyday activities. Constantly remind them of the lesson of how Christ was seen in Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and how they can be like them in representing Christ.