Teaching

What is our SuperTruth today? “God hears my prayers.”

Abraham’s servant Eliezer promised that he would find a wife for Isaac. This was a very important task and a big responsibility. Abraham gave Eliezer very specific instructions for the journey to search for a proper wife for Isaac. Eliezer did not rely on his own instincts or wisdom to select the right wife. His plan was to pray and ask God to direct him and give him wisdom.

Have assigned student read Proverbs 16:3:

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Sometimes we are tempted to ask for God’s help only if our own plan fails. This was not Eliezer’s plan. As soon as he arrived at the spring of water, he prayed, asking God to give him success. Eliezer committed his actions to God first so he could succeed. Eliezer said, “See, I am standing here at this spring.” That tells us that he knew God saw him and heard him! He had no doubt!

Let’s stand and read the SuperVerse on the board. Psalm 116:2:

Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

Thank you! You may sit down. Why did the writer of this psalm say he would continue to pray for the rest of his life? Because God listens!

Pick up the cell phone. Let’s say you called someone you knew several times a day for a year. Each time you called, they didn’t answer, or were too busy to talk. Do you think you would still continue to call this friend; why or why not?

Most of us would probably stop because it seemed like they simply weren’t interested in talking or listening. But God is always ready to listen when we pray, and to answer our prayers! And because He does, I will keep praying! He hears prayers that we say out loud and prayers that we think silently in our hearts and minds!

Have assigned student read Psalm 19:14:

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

God hears the mediations of our hearts; our very thoughts! When you’re taking a test at school, He hears your unspoken prayer. When you sit in His presence, He knows your heart.

Have assigned student read Isaiah 65:24:

I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

This verse shows us how much God loves and cares for us. He knows what we need, and He wants us to come to Him and share our requests with Him. Think about Eliezer.

Have assigned student read Genesis 24:15a:

Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder.

Even before Eliezer finished his prayer, God had answered!

Choose a volunteer to stand by you. Hold up the box so the children can see the writing. Let’s say this box represents the task Abraham gave to Eliezer. It was a very difficult assignment that he could not do by himself. He could have worried or fretted. Hand the box to the volunteer.

Instead, He chose to let go and give it to God.

Have assigned student read 1 Peter 5:7:

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

Eliezer didn’t rely upon his own wisdom. He asked for God’s help, then waited for the answer.

Have assigned student read Philippians 4:6–7:

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

God answered Eliezer’s prayer and helped him make a wise choice so he had success! God wants to give us wisdom and success, too; all we must do is ask! Now, let's continue with our Discipleship Challenge to learn more about God’s hidden treasure—wisdom!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the patterns for the Wisdom Chest and Coins, plus Choices Cube and Scenes Card, to children who missed Lesson 1. 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 3 and 4 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. When you come back next time, I will ask you to share the funniest and wisest answers that you heard!

For those of you who have already started doing this challenge at home—would anyone like to share something from your family discussions?

Read Proverbs 4:13:

Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.

God’s wisdom is not only like hidden treasure, it also is the key that unlocks all of life!