Abraham & Isaac Overview

Text: Genesis 22: 1-19

Memory Verse: I Chronicles 22:14
“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord, your God.” - The Living Bible



Craft
Clip Art Posters

Temple
“Give it to God”
Prayer Blankets

Drama
“The Sacrifice”

Video
“Abraham & Isaac” – Nest Video



Journal Sticker suggestions
Fire – altar – knife

Song suggestions:
El Shaddai – Father Abraham

Felt Board Activity
Abraham & Isaac
Genesis 22: 1-19

(Scene – outside with hills. Tents if possible)

Today we are studying the story of Abraham & Isaac. They lived like nomads, picking up their tents and belongings to move when they needed to. (Add an old Abraham and a young boy, Isaac)

Let’s back up a bit. Do you remember, Abraham was an old man, 75 years old, when God told him that he would have lots of descendants – as many as the stars in the sky or the specs of dust on the earth. (Add stars or dirt) Who was Abraham’s wife? – Sarah. (Add Sarah-old) They had to wait quite awhile before they had their baby. How old were Abraham and Sarah when she gave birth to Isaac? – Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old. Isaac was the only child they had. (Remove all but Abraham)

Abraham believed in the Lord. (Add a Bible) He put his whole trust in God. Later, God tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. God called to Abraham and he replied right away, “Here I am, Lord.” What a good and faithful servant Abraham was to God.

God told Abraham, “Take your son, your only son, the one whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah (Moore-eye-ah). There I will show you a mountain. I want you to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering to me.

Back in the days of Abraham, it was their custom to offer a sacrifice to God. They would bring ‘their best’ to God. They would bring an offering of an animal – like a dove, goat, or lamb (Add an animal or two)– and place it on an altar. (Add an altar) Then, they would light a fire underneath it and burn the offering. (Add fire) By offering this sacrifice, they felt it was a way to connect to God and to honor Him. The sacrifice was a way of saying they were sorry for their sins – or atoning for them.

In a way, we do the same thing today. We bring ‘our best’ to God as an offering. We bring our money and place it in the offering plate during church. (Add offering plate or basket with money) It is our way of honoring God and helping to continue His work. We use money because that is what is ‘valuable’ to us. Abraham used animals because that is what was valuable in his day. (Remove all but Abraham)

So the next morning, Abraham rose early. He split the wood for the fire and prepared the donkey for the journey. (Add wood and donkey) Abraham took his son, Isaac, and two of his young male servants. (Add young Isaac and 2 young males) They started out for the place that God had told him about.

On the third day of the trip, Abraham saw the mountain in the distance that God had talked about. He instructed his servants to stay here with the donkeys and wait. Then, he and Isaac would go on further to worship and come right back. (Leave donkeys and servant in the corner – move Abraham &Isaac on further)

Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, (Wood on Isaac’s back) while he, himself carried the knife and fire pot. (Add knife and firepot) – A fire pot is a container that holds hot coals used to start a fire. – Abraham and Isaac walked on alone.

As they were walking toward the mountain, Isaac got to wondering. He said to Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, son, what is it?” replied Abraham. “We have the wood for the fire and the fire pot to start the fire, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham answered, “God, Himself will provide what we need.” So the two walked on together.

When they arrived at the mountain where God had instructed them to go, Abraham built an altar. (Add altar/wood/fire) He arranged the wood for the fire. Abraham tied up his son and laid him on the altar over the wood. (Lay Isaac on the altar) Can you imagine what Isaac was thinking? Hey, Dad, what’s going on? Can you imagine how Abraham felt? This was his only child whom he loved so much!

Then Abraham took the knife and lifted it up so he could kill his son. (Move knife above Isaac) At that moment the Angel of God called to him from heaven, (Add angel) “Abraham, Abraham!” Again Abraham replied, “Here I am.”

And the angel said, “Lay down the knife. Do not hurt your son in any way. (Move knife back to Abraham’s side) Now I know that you truly put God first in your life. You are willing to sacrifice Isaac, your only son. You truly love God.”

(Add bush and ram in the distance) Abraham looked around and saw a ram caught by its horns in a bush nearby. A ram is a male sheep. He took the ram and offered it as a burnt sacrifice to God instead of Isaac. (Put ram on altar) Abraham named this place ‘God will provide’ and it is still called that name today.

The Lord used and angel to speak to Abraham a second time. “Because you have obeyed me and did not withhold your only son, I will bless you with incredible blessings. I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. (Add stars and sand) Your descendants will conquer their enemies and be a blessing to all the people on earth – all because you have obeyed me. Abraham and Isaac returned to where his servants were waiting. (Move back to servants) They rose up and everyone traveled back to Beer-sheba where they lived.

Wow! What an amazing and incredible faith Abraham had! He was willing to sacrifice his only son. Abraham trusted in God with his whole heart. God had promised Abraham that he would have more descendants than he could count. He believed God would provide no matter what. Abraham knew God would keep His promise. Let us pray that we too, can have a faith as strong as Abraham.



Written by Rachel Haugland (with help from Rev. James Norem)
Reference: The Amplified Bible, The Living Bible, Today’s English Version Bible

Abraham & Isaac
Craft – Clip Art Poster
(Genesis 22: 1-19)


Read: The Story
Practice: The Memory Verse


Supplies: colored construction paper, glue, scissors, pens/markers, photocopies of clip art/pictures of the story, sticky tack


Make an individual poster of the Abraham & Isaac story.

(Have an example or two already made – hanging on the wall)

o Have the kids select the color of their 9 x 12 in. construction paper
o Decide if the paper will be positioned up & down or lengthwise
o Make a title/heading announcing the story
o Let them select the clip art/pictures they want to show the story.
o Cut out the pictures
o May want to ‘layer’ the pictures on a different colored paper
o Glue pictures to 9 x 12 construction paper
o Write a summary of the story under each picture (like a cartoon type drawing)


Display upstairs on a wall for a week, then send home/place in their mailboxes

Discussion (to be used while working on the project or afterwards)

o It seems like a strange tradition to offer sacrifices to God. Why do you think they gave burnt offerings back in Abraham’s day? (By offering a sacrifice, they felt it was a way to connect to God and to honor Him. The sacrifice was a way of saying they were sorry for their sins – or atoning for them.)
o What do we do today instead of offering burnt sacrifices to God? What are the ways we connect to and honor God? (Pray, come to church, spread God’s word, offer our money to God, sacrifice our time and do God’s work)

o Can you imagine what Abraham thought when God told him he must sacrifice his son? What do you think he felt? (Scared, afraid, sad, overwhelmed, disbelieving, devoted?)
o Abraham and Isaac carried the supplies – wood, fire pot, and knife. As they were walking on alone, Isaac started wondering. What do you think he was wondering about? (Where is the sacrifice? Where are we going? Does dad know what he’s doing?)

o Can you imagine how Abraham felt as he raised his hand with the knife? (I love my son. I love my God. I can’t believe God wants me to do this. I can’t believe I’m doing this)
o How do you think Abraham felt when the angel called to him, “Lay down the knife. Do not hurt your son in anyway”? (Relieved, cried, scared that his son was so close to dying, proud to be able to follow God’s command)

o How do you think God felt when he had to sacrifice His only son on the cross? (Sad, mad, glad, - “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son…)
o What can we do to make God’s sacrifice of Jesus worthwhile? (Be close to God, bring others close to God, pray, make sacrifices so we can tell others about Jesus)


Written by Rachel Haugland

Abraham & Isaac
Temple – ‘Give it to God’ & Blankets
(Genesis 22: 1-19)


Supplies: (Will need helpers for the younger – 1st&2nd Grades – maybe have the High School class help) plain paper, construction paper, pen, picture of Jesus, 2 yd of patterned fleece and 2 yd of coordinating colored fleece, fabric scissors, safety pins.

Before you read the story:

o Ask if anyone has made the tie together kind of fleece blankets before. Do you like them? Wouldn’t it be great if we could make one and take it home today?
o We are going to make a prayer blanket today. Only we are not going to keep it. We are going to make the blanket, make a sacrifice, and give it away to Project Linus.

o Do you remember Charlie Brown and Snoopy cartoons? Linus always drug his blanket around with him. Information was taken from the Project Linus brochure and more info can be obtained from www.projectlinus.org or calling 309-664-7814 fax 309-664-6639.
o Project Linus is a 100% volunteer, non-profit organization. Blankets are to be made of new material, washable, handmade, soft, cuddly material (wool, upholstery fabric, corduroy, vinyl, double knit, and seasonal patterns are not accepted). Preferred size: 40-60”. Blankets are often given to severely ill children (no strong odors/chemicals accepted – no buttons, tassels, ‘hanging’ items). An added bonus, the church can be entered into a drawing to win a Janome Sewing Machine – the ladies can use it for their quilt making.

o (We will share the answers later.) Have the kids be thinking of something very dear to them – something very special. It could be a toy or game. It could be a person or a ‘tradition.’ What do you really like? If you lost it, you would be very sad. Now read the story.


Read: The Story
Practice: The Memory Verse


“Give it to God” – written by Rachel Haugland with the idea from Trish at - http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/130608812.../233103983#233103983


Have the kids decide on something that is very special to them. (It can be more than one thing.)

o A lot of people will think of “things” – material stuff. Let them decide on their own.
o Stimulate their imagination.
o What do you like to do? Where do you like to go? What do you do in your free time? What would you be sad about if it was gone?
o When we give the things we love away, God rewards us with much greater things – heaven.

o Discuss “what is really important?”
§ Are ‘things’ more important than people?
§ What about people or traditions?
· Do you go fishing with Grandpa? Bake cookies with mom? Reading books with your brother?
§ What about God?
· Do you read your Bible? Say prayers to God? Worship God?
o Every day of your life, you will have to decide what is really important – what are your priorities. What is more important for you? Things? People? God?

§ Remember what God wants us to do.
§ God wrote the 10 commandments for us to follow. God’s #1 commandment is: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” – that means NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GOD!
Have the kids explain what they have chosen. Then, ‘place’ it in the basket – like magic. (Or write their special thing on a piece of paper and place in the basket.)
o When we put ‘our very special things’ in the basket, we are symbolizing we are ‘giving it to God.’
o Have the kids say, “I give ______ to God.”

o Some kids may find this difficult. Remind them that God wants us to keep our priorities straight. He wants nothing to be more important than God.
§ It’s ok to have ‘your special thing’ (like basketball), but it can’t be more important than God. If your special thing gets to be more important than God, it is better to completely give it up – and keep God #1.

o Contrast ‘our sacrifice’ with Abraham’s sacrifice. Abraham was willing to follow God’s command and give his only son, Isaac, to God. He had waited 100 years for this son. Abraham trusted in God with his whole heart and did what God requested.
o Contrast ‘our sacrifice’ and Abraham’s sacrifice with Jesus – God’s sacrifice of His only son on the cross. (Show picture)


Make a prayer blanket to give to someone in need.
Written by Rachel Haugland with Prayer blanket idea from Linnea at - http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/457606812...302601426#302601426)

o Before class: Lay the 2 pieces of fleece together & flat on the floor. (It would be more of a sacrifice if the fleece was a cool design that the kids really liked)
o Have the ‘cuts’ made in the edges before class (about the length and a half of the scissors and 1 inch wide - on all 4 sides of the blanket – the four corners will be cut out – could offer these 8 end pieces to the kids to take home as a reminder of our project).

o Gather everyone in a circle around the edges of the blanket.
o Explain that to hold the fleece together, a knot will be tied with the fringe – one piece from the top and one from the bottom, tied close to the blanket. (Square knot: Right over left and pull tight to the blanket, then left over right and pull – a granny knot works, too)

o Go ahead and have them tie some knots. (This helps get some of the ‘excitement’ out of the way)
o After several knots, stop the kids. We are making a prayer blanket. Have them think of a prayer for the person receiving the blanket.

o You probably will not know much about the person receiving the blanket. This person may be frightened or alone. They may be a Christian or you may be the first Christian they have ever come in contact with. You may guess whether a girl or boy will receive the blanket (Pink, ballerina fleece will probably be given to a girl), or make it generic with ‘they/them/this person.’

o Possible prayers:
· Dear Lord, as this blanket wraps him in warmth, let him know Your love wraps around him, also. Amen.
· Dear Lord, be with the owner of this blanket. Help them to make good decisions that are pleasing to You. Amen.
· Lord, bless the child that gets this blanket. Keep him safe. Amen.

o Go around the circle and have each child pray a prayer, then tie their knot. (Younger classes may need 1:1 or 2:1 helpers to assist them – a great way to let the High school kids get involved and be a mentor to the younger ones.)
o The kids maybe shy about praying out loud. Or they may not know how to pray.
o If needed, the child could say, “skip”, and you could come back to them later for a prayer.
o Some are more comfortable with saying prayers than others. Respect their shyness.

§ Help them rearrange their thoughts. Prayers can be wishes or hopes. “What would you wish for this person? What would you hope for them?”
· If your student says, ‘I hope she feels safe,’ you can rearrange the wording to be: ‘I pray you feel safe’ or ‘I pray you are safe.’
· I wish they have loving parents, can be prayed, ‘I pray you have love surrounding you.’ (They may or may not have parents.)
o Go around the room, as many times as there are prayers.

o Consider writing a card (folded construction paper) with the prayers on it – have the kids sign their first name on the card and include it with the blanket. Write the prayers down as they are said. (Keep in mind the wording of the prayers, since we don’t know their situation, are they alone or have loving parents around them?)
§ Attach the card to the blanket with a safety pin – waiting to be taken to its new owner.

§ (After the kids have left), double-check the knots. Make sure they are all in knots and tied tight.
§ Consider displaying the blankets in church for a Sunday or two.
§ Give the blankets to __________for delivery.

Extra Time:
Can be spent talking about prayer – when do you pray? What will you pray about tonight? How can you include other people ‘in need’ in your prayers?
Can be spent talking about what you would feel like if you were the one that was sick and received the blanket – would you turn to God, or away from God – would you be mad that you were sick or grateful that maybe a doctor might help.
Can be spent talking about the 10 commandments – what are some of the other commandments – why do you think God gave the #1 commandment first – name some ways the #1 commandment is shown (going to church, reading your Bible, praying with a friend) – name some ways the commandment is not used (sleep in on Sunday, go to tournament games instead of church, always choosing to read a fun book instead of the Bible)



End with a prayer.
Dear Lord, Bless the person who will receive this blanket. As this blanket wraps them in warmth, let them know You are there beside them, helping them, comforting them. Help them to grow strong in Your love. Keep them safe and let them be able to learn about Christ – and the sacrifice You made with Your only son. Bless us here in Your church. Help us to continue to do Your work. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Abraham and Isaac Drama
“The Sacrifice”
(Genesis 22)


Characters: Narrator 1&2, God, Abraham, Isaac, Angel, servants


Props: Wood, hatchet to split wood, rope, piano bench, knife, stuffed animal (ram), many stars, sand in a large flat bowl,


Narrator 1: Abraham and Sarah had almost given up hope of ever having any children. But the Lord said they would. And when Abraham was 100 years old, his wife, Sarah became pregnant. When the baby was born he was named him Isaac, which means laughter. Both Abraham and Sarah had laughed when they found out they were going to have a son.

Narrator 2: Some time later God tested Abraham.

God: Abraham?

Abraham: Yes, I am here.

God: Take your son. Take Isaac whom you love so much.

Abraham: Yes, what do you want me to do?

God: Go to a mountain. I will show you which one. Take Isaac with you and offer him as a sacrifice to me.

Abraham: (Stick fingers in your ears & rub, trying to hear better) Say that again. I’m not sure I heard that right. It sounded like you wanted me to kill my son and place him on the altar for a sacrifice. I love him, you know.

God: You heard me. Instead of using a dove or a lamb as a sacrifice, I want you to use your son.

Narrator 1: Abraham was God’s good and faithful servant. So, Abraham split wood for the fire and saddled his donkey. He turned to Isaac, his son, and 2 of his young servants and said,

Abraham: Come with me. We are going on a journey. (All walk around the room)

Narrator 2: On the 3rd Day of the trip, Abraham looked up and saw the place that God wanted them to go. He turned to the 2 men.

Abraham: Stay here with the donkey. My son and I will go up there and worship. (Pointing up the mountain)

Narrator 1: So Abraham took the wood for the fire and placed it on Isaac’s shoulders. He took a knife and together they went on. Also, he brought a firepot. As they walked, Isaac started to wonder.

Isaac: Dad? Here we have the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?

Abraham: My son, God Himself will provide one.

Narrator 2: When they reached the place that God wanted, Abraham built an altar. He laid the wood in order. (Lay wood underneath a piano bench) Then, he tied up his son and laid him on the altar. (Place hands in rope/headband, lay him down on a piano bench)

Narrator 1: Then Abraham picked up the knife to kill Isaac. But, an angel of God called to him from heaven. (Abraham with sword raised above Isaac.)

Angel: Abraham! Abraham!

Abraham: Yes, Lord. I am here.

Angel: Do not hurt the boy. Don’t do anything to him. Now, I know that you obey God. You have not held back even your own son.

Narrator 2: Abraham looked around and saw a ram with its horns caught in a bush. He took it and offered the ram as a burnt sacrifice instead of his son.

Narrator 1: Abraham named this place “The Lord Provides,” because on this mountain the Lord provided to him. Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time.

Angel: The Lord is speaking. I will richly bless you, because you did not withhold your only son from me. I promise that I will give you as many descendants as there are stars in the sky (Present many stars) or grains of sand along the seashore. (Sift sand through fingertips) I bless you Abraham.

Narrator 2: And Abraham went back to where his servants were waiting. They all traveled back home together.

Narrator 1: Abraham was willing to follow God’s command. He had waited almost 100 years for this son. Abraham trusted in God and loved him with his whole heart and did what God requested. Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, God sacrificed Jesus on the cross. God loves us more than we can ever really understand.



By Rachel Haugland – for non-profit use only
Reference: The Amplified Bible, The Good News Bible, The Children’s Bible

Abraham & Isaac Video


Gather the juice and supplies
Pop the popcorn


Read: The Story
Practice: The Memory Verse


Watch the video
“Abraham & Isaac” 25 min
Nest – Family Entertainment Network ISBN# 1-56489-027-9


Discussion: By Rachel Haugland

o How must Abraham have felt when he realized the Lord wanted him to sacrifice his son?
o Do you think the 3-day trip with his son was long or short for Abraham? Why?
o Just before Abraham sacrificed his son, the angel told him to stop. What do you think Abraham felt like?
o Have you ever been asked to do something you didn’t want to do?
o The Lord provided a ram instead for the sacrifice. One of the songs we sing talks about that. Which song is it? (“El Shaddai” – Through Your love and through the ram, You saved the son of Abraham)