Really Hard Things
Item Needed: Bible
What hard things has God asked us to do? (Forgive others; love certain people; obey the first time; etc.)
Read and discuss the story from Genesis 22:1–19 with your children.
God asked Abraham to do something very hard—sacrifice his only son. But God knew all along He would provide the ram for the sacrifice. When God asks us to do hard things, we can obey Him, just like Abraham obeyed God, knowing He is wise and will do what is best. God provided the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus, so we know God is good and He does what is right.
Note to parents: It feels a little weird to teach your children that God asked a man to sacrifice his only son on an altar, doesn’t it? The foreshadowing to Jesus is beautiful, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make you feel a bit strange. 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.
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 too. God provided a ram for Abraham so he wouldn’t have to sacrifice is only son. Abraham trusted and obeyed God, and we can too! Let’s count the ways God provides for us together this week.
Good things God provides for us through Jesus in Ephesians 1:3-14:
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
Show Your Faith!
Abraham lived out his faith even when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. Abraham chose to trust and obey God. We can live out our faith too.
Here are a few ideas to get you started. It doesn’t have to be something big to make a big impact—little kindnesses mean a lot.
Smile at 3 people.
Let someone go ahead of you at the checkout line in the grocery store.
Ask the clerk what her favorite candy bar is and buy it for her.
Eat lunch with someone who may not have many friends.
Hold the door open for someone.
Leave a kind note in a library book for the next person who reads it.
Make and mail a card to an elderly person.
Share a toy.
Help without being asked.
Leave a treat or nice note in the mailbox for your mail carrier.
What great opportunities to show your faith!