Lesson Objective
The children will understand that all of the good things God gives us still belong to Him.
Scripture:
Genesis 22
Arrival:
As the children arrive, have the word “Sacrifice” written on the board. Sing some songs with them, then discuss what the word means. They may or may not have an idea of what it means. The definition is “to give something up.” Ask them if someone has ever sacrificed for them. Lead them to thinking about how their parents work hard to make money, yet they spend most of it on their kids. That is an example of a sacrifice.
Prayer Time:
Pray for wisdom and clarity as you teach.
Lesson:
Has your mom or dad ever told you to do something, and you didn’t understand why? Maybe they told you that you could not play with the marker on the desk. You love to color with markers, so you did not understand why. There was a reason, though. Maybe you were in your clothes for church and they did not want you to get them dirty. Perhaps the marker was a permanent marker that would stain your skin.
In this example, what should you do when your parent tells you not to touch the marker? (Obey) Should you ask why? (No) Sometimes it is OK to ask why, but only after you have obeyed. We need to obey even when we do not understand, but that is really hard.
Remember the story of Abraham? What did God promise him? (He would become a great nation through his children) Did Abraham have children when God made this promise? (no) Do you remember how old Abraham was when he finally had a son? (100) What did he name his son? (Isaac)
Isaac means “to laugh,” and I can imagine that Sarah and Abraham spent many hours laughing at their son as he grew up. He was the “son of promise,” and they loved him very much. After many years, Isaac was a young man, and Abraham was a very old man. Abraham really loved his son, probably more than anything else in the world. What is something that you treasure more than anything else you have? (take responses)
Now, imagine someone wanted to take that from you. How would you feel? (Take responses) Would it be easy to give that up?
Abraham’s most precious treasure was Isaac, and one day God came to him and asked him to sacrifice Isaac. Sacrifice means to give something up, and in the Old Testament, a sacrifice to God meant that the thing being sacrificed was killed or burned up.
Can you imagine how upset Abraham must have been? God had promised him a son, and finally after such a long time, he had that son, and now God wanted him back!
Abraham was upset, but he remembered something very important. Even though Isaac was his most precious treasure, Isaac ultimately belonged to the God who created him. Everything we own, no matter how we got it, really belongs to God, and God can do with it what He wants. Abraham also knew that God was good and would not forget His promise. The Bible does not tell us what Abraham thought God would do. Maybe he thought God would raise Isaac from the dead. Perhaps he thought God would intervene. Regardless, Abraham prepared for the trip. I am sure there was tremendous sorrow as he did.
Abraham prepared for the trip to the spot where God told him to sacrifice his son. Isaac went with him, but wondered where the lamb was for the sacrifice. Abraham simply told him “God will provide a lamb.” They traveled for many days, and finally they arrived at the location. Then, Abraham had to tell Isaac that he was the sacrifice.
Can you imagine what Isaac must have thought? Here, his father who loved him was going to kill him! Isaac was a strong young man, and Abraham was an old man. Isaac could have easily fought back and run away, but he didn’t. He lay down on the altar and let Abraham tie his hands and feet.
Just as Abraham was about to plunge the knife into Isaac, God spoke. He said “Do not lay a hand on the boy, do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham lowered his hand and untied Isaac. Then, they looked in the thicket next to them, and there was a ram. They offered the ram as a sacrifice instead.
God wanted to know that Abraham loved Him more than anything, even his only son. Do you love God more than your most prized treasure? Remember, God gave you His only Son to die on the cross for your sins. He deserves our deepest love!
Memory Verse:
Help the children memorize the second half of Genesis 22:12
Craft/Game Time:
This lesson will likely take a while, and the children will probably have some questions. Instead of a game or craft, download this coloring page and have them color it.
Dismissal:
Remind the children that Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac is an example to us of God’s willingness to send His Son to die on the cross. Have the children thank God for this gift as they go about their week.
