Teaching Time

Who remembers what the important promise was called that God made to Abraham? A covenant.

Yes, When Abraham was an older man and was seventy-five years old.

Hold up the “star” balloon and walk back and forth as you speak. Do you remember what the stars represent, or are a symbol of? God’s promise to Abraham that the children He would give him would be more than the stars in the sky.

Yes, that’s right, but God didn’t tell Abraham something—He did not say WHEN He would keep His promise. Abraham had to patiently hold on to God’s promises for a long time.

Walk some more. So, how long DID Abraham need to patiently wait?

Place the blocks on the table. Let’s count together the number of years Abraham patiently waited.

Count as high as you can with me because it is a big number!

Slowly count aloud from 1-24 with the children as you stack blocks to build a tower or two if one isn’t stable. Or, allow child volunteers to stack the blocks, one at a time as everyone counts.

Wow, Abraham waited 24 years for God’s promise and then something very exciting happened. After 24 years God appeared to Abraham again, and this time He told Abraham WHEN Sarah would give birth to a son. Stack the last block on the tower.

After one year, Sarah gave birth to a baby boy! Why was this such a big miracle? Abraham and Sarah were very old.

Yes, that’s right, Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 years old! But, nothing is impossible for God to do! Do you know that God gives us promises too? Hold up the Bible.

In the Bible are many, many wonderful promises from God.

Hold up the “star” balloon. Just like Abraham patiently held on to God’s promise, we can hold on to God’s promises too! How do we do that? When we hear God’s Word, it stays in our mind and heart.

Hold up the Heart Bag. Pretend that this is your heart. Let’s read the promises inside, repeat them after me because they are for you too! Open the bag and hold up each heart. Read each promise and have the children repeat it aloud. If time permits, read the Bible verse for each promise.

I am God’s child. (Galatians 3:26)

God never leaves me. (Hebrews 13:5)

God protects me. (Psalm 18:2)

God forgives me. (1 John 1:9)

Jesus saves me. (John 3:16)

God hears and answers my prayers. (1 John 5:14)

Isn’t that exciting! These are just a few of God’s promises, there are too many more to count! Some of God’s promises already happened, some will happen soon, and other promises, we must wait patiently on to come to pass. like Abraham.

Place the hearts inside the bag and seal it closed, then turn it upside down. When God’s promises are in your heart, they are safe forever as you patiently wait and trust in Him. (Save bag to use during Verse To Go section.)