YEA Lesson Library
The Promised Son
About This Lesson
Using the example of Hagar/Sarah and Ishmael/Isaac, this lesson teaches that God wants us to love one another.
Scriptures
Genesis 16:1-4
Genesis 16:15-16
Genesis 17:15-16
Genesis 21:12
Psalm 37:7-8
Proverbs 10:12
Proverbs 27:4
Words to Know
STRIFE -fighting or quarreling
JEALOUS- resentful, envious, wanting what someone else has
The Lesson
God gives us all families. He gives us mothers and fathers to take care of us. God wants us to do things together. He wants us to love one another.
God promised to bless Abram with a very large family and changed his name to Abraham. God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah. God said He would give Abraham so many grandchildren that they couldn't be counted--like the stars in the sky!
Sarah saw that she was getting too old to have a baby. So, she told Abraham to take Hagar, one of her maids. Maybe God would let her maid have a baby for Abraham. And guess what - Hagar had a son. Abraham named him Ishmael.
But, this was not the son God had promised to Abraham. God promised that Sarah would have a son. He always keeps His promises. When the time was right, God gave Sarah a son, too. They named him Isaac. But the two boys didn't get along.
One day Abraham gave a party for his son, Isaac. Everyone was having a good time. But, Ishmael was jealous. Sarah saw Ishmael making fun of her son, Isaac. Well, it made Sarah mad!
Instead of punishing the two boys for fighting, Sarah told Abraham to send Hagar and her son away from the family. Abraham was sad. Hagar was sad. But God loved Hagar and Ishmael. He said He would take care of them. He said Abraham's family would become many great nations. God kept His promise to Abraham. And Abraham was the father of many nations!
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Genesis 16:15
Monday- Genesis 21:2-3
Tuesday - Genesis 21:8-9
Wednesday- Genesis 21:12
Thursday - Psalm 37:7-8
Friday- Genesis 17:15-16
Saturday - Proverbs 27:4
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, children will be able to:
1. State that God kept His promise to Abraham; He gave him sons.
2. Name the two sons.
3. Tell why Abraham sent Ishmael and Hagar away.
4. State that God wants us to love one another.
Topics & Themes
Abraham
Children
Family
God’s Promises
Hagar
Isaac
Ishmael
Loving Others
Sarah
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students' and Teacher's books, CD, CD player, songbook, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, magazine pictures of families and animal families, construction paper, crayons, scissors, glue
Preparation
"It's said that 'to teach is to learn twice.' Don't be surprised if, in your struggle to wrestle adult concepts down to learner-friendly levels, you gain some brand-new insights yourself." (Teaching on Target, by Dr. Robert and Jane Willson Choun)
It is within the family unit that most children first experience a loving relationship. But, today’s lesson about Abraham's dysfunctional family is not unlike many families today. Jealousy and hatred are demonstrated by both the mothers and the sons. Our goal is to teach children that God wants us to love one another. And as they feel loved by those around them, they will begin to learn to trust God to love them.
Before class, cut out family pictures and animal family pictures from magazines. Enlarge and copy the activity pattern onto white construction paper (several per child.) Use two of the patterns to represent Isaac and Ishmael. You can dress them with scraps of fabric.
Review Questions
1. What did God promise to Abraham?
2. What was the name of Abraham and Sarah’s son?
3. Why did Abraham send Ishmael and his mother away from the family?
4. What does God want us to do to one another?
REACH Activity
Letter: I (Note: Use words with the short vowel sound, avoid long vowel sounds such as Isaac or ice.)
Words: it, is, in, Ishmael
Sentence:
IT IS TOO BAD THAT SARAH DID NOT WANT ISHMAEL.
Song
“Father Abraham” is on page 31 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Have the children hold hands in a circle. Lead them in prayer, thanking God for keeping His promise to Abraham. Ask God to help the children not be jealous, but to love one another.
Printable Pages
