Teaching

Tests are not just for school—we have them in our lives, too! What test did Chris face in our Superbook adventure today? Whether or not to do something unselfish and put God first.

How many of you have been asked to do something, and you complained, argued, or put off obeying? 

Yes, we all do—even small things! Of course, some tests are bigger than others. Let’s take a deeper look into Abraham’s very difficult test, and see how he was able to put God first!

God promised Abraham that He would bless him abundantly and give him countless descendants. What are descendants? Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc.

God kept His promise to Abraham and gave him a son named Isaac. Isaac means laughter. The reason Abraham and Sarah named him that is because they had both laughed at the thought of having a baby when they were so old. Sarah was 90 and Abraham was nearly 100! But he trusted God, and God performed a miracle by giving them a baby.

Now God gave Abraham a seemingly impossible test. He asked Abraham to sacrifice the very son who should grow up to have children, grandchildren, and future generations. Abraham must have wondered, if Isaac died, who would give him the countless descendants God promised?

Abraham had to be sad. Perhaps he spent the night praying. But he didn’t delay! 

Read Genesis 22:3:

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac.

Abraham took Isaac up the mountain and placed Isaac on the altar. How was Abraham able to obey such a hard command? Allow children to respond with their thoughts.

Read Hebrews 11:17–19a:

It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.” Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again.

The answer is that Abraham was fully persuaded—he was completely convinced and absolutely sure—that if he obeyed the Lord, God would bring Isaac back to life again and fulfill His promise. Abraham was a man full of faith and total trust. Listen to what he told his servants. 

Read Genesis 22:5:

“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

Who did he say would come back? “We.”

Abraham told his servants, “We”—not “I”—will return afterward, showing that he trusted God to save Isaac or bring him back to life.

Let me demonstrate what it means to be fully persuaded or convinced. Hold up a coin and then close your hand around it. Keep that hand in front of you so the children will know you aren’t tricking them. How many of you believe that I have a coin in my hand, and I could open my hand to show it to you? Raise your hand if you are convinced I can do that! Children respond.

Why are you convinced; how can you be sure? 

Yes, because you saw me place it in my hand. Open your hand to reveal the coin. You are right!

Abraham saw how God did a miracle when his wife gave birth to Isaac at age 90! Abraham was fully persuaded and convinced that God, who miraculously gave them their son in the first place, could also miraculously bring that same child back to life again!

Read Romans 4:20–22:

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

The Lord stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac by providing a ram. Abraham passed God’s test with an “A plus”! Abraham brought glory to God by his faith. When we put our faith in God and obey His commands, we will live a blessed life!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

One way we can hear God’s voice is by reading His Word. To help us get to know the Bible better, let’s memorize all the books of the Old Testament during these three lessons!

Pass out scissors, pencils, and the Small Superbook Device Craft with Historical Books Pattern to the children. Display the sample craft you made as you give these instructions: 

1. Cut the two pieces apart along the solid line in the middle of the page. One side is the Superbook device, and the other side is a list of the historical books in the Old Testament. 
2. Fold each piece in half along the vertical dotted lines. Be very careful to fold them exactly on the dotted lines.
3. Carefully fold the “books” section in half again, along the other dotted line.
4. Carefully cut along the solid lines of each piece, including the rectangular slots.
5. Open both pieces, then “pinch-fold” the “books” section and gently slide it through the slot in the Superbook device.
6. Use the pencil to write your name on the back of your craft.

Be prepared to help younger children and those with special needs. Explain that you will collect the crafts today and give them out again in Lessons 2 and 3 for the children to add two other groups of books from the Old Testament before they take them home. Optional: you may wish to punch a small hole in the top of each craft, then use string or yarn to hang it up.

Let’s all work on memorizing the first 17 books of the Old Testament before our next lesson. These books—from Genesis through Esther—are sometimes called the historical books of the Old Testament because they record much of the history of the Jewish people. Have the children look at their crafts and say the names of the books aloud. Next time, I’ll ask if anyone can say them without looking!

Optional: To help children learn the names of the books, you may use the “Old Testament Books Song,” sung to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.” The link to the sheet music and audio file for this song are available in the “Get Ready” section of this activity.