Leader Guide

Teaching

Have a child select the first Signpost card from the pile and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1 The Covenant Promise

The Bible tells us that Isaac loved his bride, Rebekah, deeply. We are called God’s bride. He loves us and waits for us like Isaac waited for Rebekah. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us!

The search for Isaac’s wife began with a covenant promise. Abraham asked Eliezer to promise not to take Isaac out of Canaan, the land God promised to give Abraham and his descendants. God gives us a promise in the New Covenant through Jesus. By this promise, we receive an eternal inheritance.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Genesis 24:67b (niv):

So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Isaiah 54:5a:

For your Creator will be your husband; the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is His name!

John 3:16:

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Genesis 17:8:

“And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

Hebrews 9:15a:

That is why He is the One who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them.

Signpost 2 The Journey

Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, went on a long and difficult journey to keep his promise to Abrahamto find a wife for Isaac. God’s Son, Jesus, came from heaven to Earth to find us, save us, and bring us back to God, to live with Him forever! Eliezer found Rebekah at the well, where she drew water to give him a drink. Jesus also met a woman at a well. He asked her for a drink, too. Jesus then offered to give her a drink of living water so she would never thirst again!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Acts 3:26:

“When God raised up His Servant, Jesus, He sent Him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways.”

John 4:7,13–14:

⁷ Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give Me a drink.” ¹³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. ¹⁴ But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Signpost 3 The Fulfillment

Eliezer gave gold, silver, and other gifts from Abraham to Rebekah and her family. Jesus paid dearly for His bride; He gave up His life to save ours. By doing this, He fulfilled God’s covenant promise. Rebekah was chosen and the price was paid. Yet, Rebekah still needed to agree to go with Eliezer to be Isaac’s wife. She made the decision to go with Eliezer to become Isaac’s bride. God has chosen you. Jesus has made the journey and paid the price so you might have eternal life. Will you say “Yes” to following Jesus today?

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Genesis 24:52–53:

⁵² When Abraham’s servant heard their answer; he bowed down to the ground and worshiped the Lord. ⁵³ Then he brought out silver and gold jewelry and clothing and presented them to Rebekah. He also gave expensive presents to her brother and mother.

Matthew 20:28:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

John 10:18:

“No one can take My life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what My Father has commanded.”

Romans 10:9 (esv):

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Now, let’s see if anyone has some wise words to share with us from the Discipleship Challenge!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the patterns for the Wisdom Chest and Coins, plus Choices Cube and Scenes Card, to children who missed Lessons 1 and 2. Have them follow the instructions on the pattern to assemble their crafts at home. Show them the sample crafts that are assembled.

Your challenge for this lesson is to read Scenes 5 and 6 on the Scenes Card at home with your family, if possible. For each scene, take turns rolling the Choices Cube and discuss different ways you could respond to that particular scene. Next, find the Scripture Coin with the same number as the scene, and look up the Bible verse on it to find God’s wisdom for that scene. Then, place the Scripture Coin in the Wisdom Chest.

For those of you who have already started doing this challenge at home—would anyone like to share a funny or wise response from your family discussions about this?

Have you ever experienced a situation similar to one of the scenes that you discussed?

So, what do you think is the wisest thing anyone can do?

Read Proverbs 4:7a:

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!