Lesson 2: Abraham builds an altar.
Passage: Genesis 12:4-9 - Abraham, his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, and all the people in their household set off together for the land of Canaan where the Lord was bringing them. When they arrived, they traveled throughout the land all the way to the great tree of Moreh at Shechem where God appeared to Abraham to confirm his promise, and Abraham built an altar to the Lord.
Big Idea: Thanking God for how far we’ve come.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Parachute Terrain — Activity Leader
This is a really simple parachute game for the younger children. Have the youngsters gather round the edge of the parachute and think about the long journey Abram would have travelled. Put a ball or stuffy on the parachute, and then call out different landscapes/weather (desert, low hills, mountains, stormy, calm, etc) Abraham would have gone through and they can make those movements with the parachute. Goal is to still keep the stuffy on the parachute!
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last Sunday we started learning about the story of Abraham and his family, and how God sent them on a big adventure to leave their home and move to a brand new country that God would show them. It took a lot of trust for them to follow God on this journey, but they knew that God is trustworthy.
Today we'll be learning about what happened next once Abraham and his family arrived in their new country.Let's watch our video to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember the name of the land that Abraham and his family moved to?
And it was said to be a land flowing with what two things?
Can you imagine a land filled with good and yummy things like milk and honey? How do you think they felt when they got there?
What was the first thing that Abraham did when they arrived? Why do you think he did that?
Has there ever been a time when you were so thankful for something that you were jumping for joy? What are some things that you are thankful to God for?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the story that we heard today about how you brought Abraham and his family to a new land, a good land full of good things. Thank you that we can learn something from how Abraham worshipped and praised you when they arrived in their new home. We also have so many things to be thankful for in our lives that you have given us. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Craft: Thankfulness Flowers — Activity Leader
There will be printouts of a quote that says "I thank God for" that kids glue into the middle of a plate. There will be large petals that the kids can either draw pictures on or write on depending on age, and can glue those around the plate.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: Parachute Terrain — Activity Leader
This is a really simple parachute game for the younger children. Have the youngsters gather round the edge of the parachute and think about the long journey Abram would have travelled. Put a ball or stuffy on the parachute, and then call out different landscapes/weather (desert, low hills, mountains, stormy, calm, etc) Abraham would have gone through and they can make those movements with the parachute. Goal is to still keep the stuffy on the parachute!
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last Sunday we started learning about the story of Abraham and his family, and how God sent them on a big adventure to leave their home and move to a brand new country that God would show them. It took a lot of trust for them to follow God on this journey, but they knew that God is trustworthy.
Today we'll be learning about what happened next once Abraham and his family arrived in their new country. Let's watch our video to find out more...Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember the name of the land that Abraham and his family moved to?
And it was said to be a land flowing with what two things?
Can you imagine a land filled with good and yummy things like milk and honey? How do you think they felt when they got there?
What was the first thing that Abraham did when they arrived? Why do you think he did that?
Has there ever been a time when you were so thankful for something that you were jumping for joy? What are some things that you are thankful to God for?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the story that we heard today about how you brought Abraham and his family to a new land, a good land full of good things. Thank you that we can learn something from how Abraham worshipped and praised you when they arrived in their new home. We also have so many things to be thankful for in our lives that you have given us. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Craft: Thankfulness Flowers — Activity Leader
There will be printouts of a quote that says "I thank God for" that kids glue into the middle of a plate. There will be large petals that the kids can either draw pictures on or write on depending on age, and can glue those around the plate.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Thankfulness Wall — Activity Leader
There will be a poster that says "I'm thankful to God for" and kids can take turns drawing or writing what they're thankful for. Try to think of as many as they can!
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last Sunday we started a new series all about the story of Abraham and his family, and how God sent them on a journey away from their home, which was called Ur of the Chaldeans, to a new place that God would show them. We talked about how it took a lot of trust of them to just pack up and go, but they knew that God is trustworthy and so they did it.
Today we'll be learning about what happened next in the story once they arrived in their new home. Let's watch our video to find out more...Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember the name of the new land that God brought Abraham and his family to? And how was it described?
What do you think it might have meant when the Bible says it was a land flowing with milk and honey? Do you think this was meant in a literal way or metaphorical? (it is a metaphor meaning that the land was abundant with good things, more than they need - milk being a staple food and honey being a luxury item)
How do you think Abraham and his family felt once they finally arrived in their new home and saw how abundant it was?
What was the first thing Abraham did when they arrived? Why do you think he did that?
Has there ever been a time when you were so thankful for something that you were praising God for it? What are some things that you are currently thankful to God for?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today about how Abraham and his family arrived in their new home, the land of Canaan, and that the first thing Abraham did when they got there was worship and praise you. Sometimes we can be so focused on problems and worries that we forget to be thankful for how far you've taken us on our own journey. Please help us to always remember and reflect on your goodness in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Craft: Abraham's Path — Activity Leader
Kids get until end of class to create the "path" that Abraham may have followed. Work together using painters tape for the path and Connector Straws to make the obstacles on the path (mountains, bridges, etc) . Teacher can move the carpet to make space for this.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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* What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
* What was the name of the land that God brought Abraham and his family to? What was that land like?
* How do you think Abraham and his family felt when they finally made it to their new home and saw how good it was? What was the first thing Abraham did?
* Has there ever been a time when you were waiting or hoping for something for so long, and then you finally got it. How did that feel?
* Can you think of five things that you are really thankful to God for? What are some ways that we can show our thankfulness?
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* What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
* What was the name of the land that God brought Abraham and his family to? How was that land described and what do you think it means?
* How do you think Abraham and his family felt when they finally made it to their new home and saw how good it was? What was the first thing Abraham did?
* Has there ever been a time when you were waiting or hoping for something for so long, and then you finally got it. How did that feel?
* What are some things that you are most thankful to God for? Can you think of ways that we can show our thankfulness?
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* What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
* What was the name of the land that Abraham and his family moved to? How was it described? What does it mean for the land to be flowing with milk and honey?
* What was the first thing that Abraham did when they arrived there? Do you think that was the appropriate response? Why or why not?
* How do you normally react when something really good happens to you or you get something that you really wanted?
* Can you thank of some things that you are most thankful for? What are some ways that you like to express thankfulness to God and others?
