Really, Really Hard Things
Read the story aloud from Genesis 22:1-19.
What are some hard things God has asked us to do? (Forgive others; love certain people; obey the first time; etc.)
God asked Abraham to do something very hard, but God knew all along that He would provide the ram for the sacrifice. God provided the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus, so we know that God is good and will do what is right. When God asks us to do hard things, we can obey Him knowing that He is wise and will do what is best.
Note to parents: It feels a little bit weird to teach your children that God asked a man to sacrifice his only son on an altar to Himself, doesn’t it? The foreshadowing to Jesus is beautiful, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make you feel a bit strange; almost like it’s a joke gone too far. But God’s request to Abraham wouldn’t have hit his ears the same way it does ours. Though it would have filled Abraham with dread, sacrificing a first born to the gods was a common thing in the pagan religions during that time. When God stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, He showed that He is a God of grace, always providing what we need.
What Will Happen Next?
Item Needed: Picture book
Read a book aloud to your child. Stop before you read the end of the book, and ask your child what they think will happen next. Allow everyone to share their ideas before finishing the book.
Abraham and his son, Isaac, were part of an important story, but they didn’t know how it would end. There was suspense, excitement, and perhaps fear. Although Abraham did not know the ending of the story, He knew God and trusted Him to provide. (You might want to read Genesis 22:1-19 to your child.)
God knows the end of the story. We can obey Him and trust Him to keep His promises.
Let Me Count the Ways
Items Needed: Piece of paper or cardstock; marker
Make a running list of things God provides for us. Stick it on the fridge and add to it all week. Remember not to just think of physical provisions (food, clothing, house, car, etc.), but add spiritual provisions. (See list below from Ephesians 1.)
Just like God provided a ram for Abraham, saving his son Isaac, God provides good things for us through Jesus. Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and discuss the following blessings from God.
- Holiness—(Ephesians 1:4)
- Family/Adoption—(Ephesians 1:5)
- Grace—God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense—(Ephesians 1:6)
- Forgiveness of sins—(Ephesians 1:7)
- Wisdom—(Ephesians 1:8)
- Inheritance—(Ephesians 1:11)
- Holy Spirit—(Ephesians 1:13)