Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group - Clover

Sunday,
Oct 21,
2012
TEACHER BIBLE STUDY
Unit 2 Sesson 3 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
God tested Abraham
Genesis 22:1-19
When Abraham was well over 100 years old, he got another message from God. It was a test, actually.
God instructed Abraham to take his son Isaac, the son of promise, and sacrifice him on a mountain God
would tell him about. Abraham had waited so many years for this child!
But instead of reacting harshly, Abraham obeyed. He got up early the next day and left for his trip. Not
waiting around to see if God would change His mind, he saddled the donkey, took the wood, two
servants, and his son, and left on the journey God commanded.
Can you image the conversation on that three-day journey? Scripture leads us to believe that they
didn’t talk about their destination until after the site had been revealed.
Was Isaac excited about going to sacrifice with his father? We soon get a glimpse into Isaac’s thoughts
when he questioned Abraham about the lamb for the sacrifice. Abraham answered that God Himself
would provide. And God did indeed.
By this point, Abraham had supreme faith that God was able to do anything. Hebrews 11:17-19 gives
us a peek inside Abraham’s mind: “He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the
dead.”
God provided a ram for the burnt offering, and after what we might imagine was quite a worship
service, Abraham and Isaac returned home.
The parallel to Christ in this story is very clear. You can almost see the cross of Christ in the
background. God provided a real lamb for Abraham, but for all of humanity He has provided the Lamb:
His Son, Jesus Christ—the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
YOUNGER KIDS BIBLE STUDY OVERVIEW
Session Title: God Tested Abraham
Bible Passage: Genesis 22:1-19
Big Picture Question: How can we show we believe God’s plan? We obey God even when He asks us to do things we don’t
understand.
Key Passage: Genesis 17:7
Unit Christ Connection: Jesus is the true Son of promise whom God provided as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Small Group
Welcome time
Activity sheet (5 minutes)
Session starter (10 minutes)
Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)
Key passage activity (5 minutes)
Activity option (10 minutes)
Journal and prayer (5 minutes)
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Sunday,
Oct 21,
2012
THE BIBLE STORY
Unit 2 Sesson 3 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
God Tested Abraham
Genesis 22:1-19
God kept His promise to give Abraham a son, but God wanted to make sure He was the most important thing in
Abraham’s life. So He decided to test Abraham to see if he would remain faithful.
“Abraham,” God said. “Here I am,” Abraham answered. God instructed Abraham to take Isaac to the mountain
and sacrifice him. A sacrifice is anything of value brought to God as a way to show obedience, love, thanksgiving,
or the need for forgiveness. During Old Testament times, a sacrifice usually involved killing an animal. This time,
God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac instead.
Abraham obeyed God. He got up early the next day and left with Isaac, two servants, and a donkey carrying
supplies. It took three days before he got to the mountain where God wanted him to make the sacrifice.
Abraham asked his servants to stay with the donkey, and he and Isaac headed up the mountain with the supplies
for the sacrifice.
Isaac noticed something was missing. “My father,” he said, “Where is the lamb for the offering?”
Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb.”
When they got to the place God had directed them, Abraham built an altar and placed the wood on top. He
then placed Isaac on top of the wood. Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, the Angel of the Lord called
out, “Abraham, Abraham!”
The angel continued, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God,
since you have not withheld your only son from Me.”
Abraham looked up and saw a ram trapped by its horns in the bushes. He offered the ram instead of Isaac to
God. Abraham named the place, “The Lord Will Provide.”
The angel spoke to Abraham again, reminding him that God would remain true to the covenant the two shared.
God promised to bless Abraham, making his family as numerous as all the stars in the sky and the sand on the
seashores. He promised victory over Abraham’s enemies and blessing to all the earth because Abraham had
obeyed.
Christ Connection: Abraham showed his faith in God when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac. Isaac also showed he
was ready to do what his father said. This is a clear picture of God who was willing to sacrifice His only Son, and of
Jesus who was willing to do what was necessary for God’s plan of salvation. Isaac’s life was spared because God
provided a substitute. We need a perfect sacrifice as our substitute for sin. God provided a perfect sacrifice in His
Son, Jesus Christ.
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Sunday,
Oct 21,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 3 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
SMALL GROUP OPENING
Session Title: God Tested Abraham
Bible Passage: Genesis 22:1-19
Big Picture Question: How can we show we believe God’s plan? We obey God even when He asks us to do things we don’t
understand.
Key Passage: Genesis 17:7
Unit Christ Connection: Jesus is the true Son of promise whom God provided as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Welcome time
Arriving Activity: I don’t understand
Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.
As kids arrive, direct them to sit or stand in a straight line. Explain that you are going to whisper an action, such as
jump or stand on one leg, to the first child in the line. That child must whisper it to the next, and so forth. When
the last child hears the action, he must do it. After performing the action, the last child moves to the front of the
line. Repeat as time allows.
Say • Was it hard to understand what you were supposed to say or do? Today we will learn about obeying God
even if we don’t always understand.
Activity sheet (5 minutes)
• “Search It” activity sheet, 1 per kid
Guide boys and girls to complete the activity sheet.
Say • God provides something in today’s Bible story that allows Abraham to keep something very special to him.
Session starter (10 minutes)
Option 1: Give up
• paper, 2 pieces
• marker and tape
Place two chairs at the front of the room. Before class, write Give it up on one sheet of paper and Keep it on the
other. Tape each sign to a chair. Give each kid a number. Tell the class that you are going to ask: “Would you give
up _________?” Fill in the blank with anything a kid might have a hard time parting with (chocolate, video games,
movies, pizza, hamburgers, TV, your house, your room, and so forth). Call out a number. That child will choose to
either sit in the “give it up” chair or “keep it” chair. After the child sits, let the kids vote by raising their hands at
the appropriate time to show if they would be willing to give that item up. Repeat, using a different item and
another number. Play as time allows.
Say • Some things are hard to give up. In our Bible story today someone was asked to give up something very
special to him.
Option 2: Ram’s wool
• cotton balls
Before class hide several cotton balls throughout the room. Explain that the cotton balls are “ram’s wool.” Tell
the kids to see if they can find the wool hidden around the room. The kid who finds the most wool is the winner.
Say • A hidden ram plays a very important part in today’s Bible story. Make sure you listen to find out how.
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Sunday,
Oct 21,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 3 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
SMALL GROUP LEADER
Session Title: God Tested Abraham
Bible Passage: Genesis 22:1-19
Big Picture Question: How can we show we believe God’s plan? We obey God even when He asks us to do things we don’t
understand.
Key Passage: Genesis 17:7
Unit Christ Connection: Jesus is the true Son of promise whom God provided as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
Key passage activity (5 minutes)
• key passage poster or slide
• dry erase board and markers
• craft sticks
• marker
Try to hide the key passage poster until after the activity to see if the kids have it memorized. If the kids struggle,
post it. Read the verse together.
Say • Abraham showed he believed God’s plan by obeying God even when he didn’t understand. How can we
show we believe God’s plan? We obey God even when He asks us to do things we don’t understand. Let’s
see if you know our key passage from memory.
Before class take several craft sticks and write one to four words of the passage on a stick until you have the
whole verse on craft sticks. Make three or four sets of the verse. Form groups to match the number of sets. Race
to see which group can stack their craft sticks in order the fastest. Only show the key passage at the end to check
their work.
Bible story review (10 minutes)
• Bibles, 1 per kid
• small group visual pack
• small strips of paper
• big picture question poster
Tip: Be willing to assist readers if needed.
Encourage the kids to find Genesis 22 in their Bibles. Help them as needed.
Say • Who are some of the people we learn about in Genesis? (Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah,
Ishmael, Isaac) Who have we talked about for the past few weeks? (Abraham) Let’s look closely at today’s
Bible story.
Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story
provided or summarize the story in your own words. Before class, write the following verses on small pieces of
paper. Ask for volunteers to find the verses in their Bibles with a partner if they choose. Allow each child or pair
to read the passage. To help you teach the kids, a summary is provided.
• Genesis 22:1; God tested Abraham, and Abraham listened.
• Genesis 22:7-8; Abraham trusted God and obeyed without knowing exactly what would happen.
• Genesis 22:11-13; The angel of the Lord stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, giving him a ram instead.
• Genesis 22:17-18; Because Abraham obeyed God even when he didn’t understand, God again reminded
Abraham that he would be blessed with a large family and would bring blessings to those his family came
in contact with. Show the big picture question slide or poster.
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Sunday,
Oct 21,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 3 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
Say • God blessed Abraham’s obedience and his faith. How can we show we believe God’s plan? We obey God
even when He asks us to do things we don’t understand. Abraham also didn’t know that many years later
God’s only Son would be sacrificed. Jesus, like Isaac, would go willingly. In doing so, Jesus became our
substitute. We don’t have to face the punishment for sin because Jesus took our place.
As time allows review the gospel:
1. God rules. The Bible tells us God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11;
Colossians 1:16-17)
2. We sinned. Since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23)
3. God provided. God sent His Son Jesus to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Ephesians
2:8-9)
4. Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into
God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)
5. We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Romans 10:9-
10,13)
Activity choice (10 minutes)
Option 1: Sacrifice
• construction paper, assorted colors
Tip: If you wish to use fewer sheets of construction paper, cut each piece into strips, allowing the kids to trade strips instead of entire
sheets.
Group kids by paper colors with two or more kids per group. Every child in each group will need one piece of
construction paper matching the group color. Also give each child the color representing every other group. If you
have three in the blue group, four in the red group, and five in the yellow group, every child in the room would
get three blue pieces, four red pieces, and five yellow pieces. Instruct the kids to trade to get only the color that
matches their group. Even though they are in groups, everyone is playing as an individual. A child must trade if
asked, even if that means giving up or sacrificing the same color that child needs. A player can only ask for a trade
one time with each kid. The winner is the first to have only his color.
Say • You had to sacrifice colors to get the colors you needed. Abraham was willing to obey God and sacrifice His
only son because He believed God would keep His promise. How can we show we believe God’s plan? We
obey God even when He asks us to do things we don’t understand.
Option 2: Sand art
• white construction paper or heavyweight paper, 1 per kid
• makers or crayons
• paintbrush, 1 per kid
• glue
• sand, 1 or more colors
Distribute a piece of construction paper or heavyweight paper to each child. Instruct each kid to draw a picture of
himself with his family. Give each child a paintbrush and glue. Guide the kids to apply the glue to hair, grass, sky,
or any other part of the picture. Direct the kids to pour sand on the glue. Excess sand can be returned to the sand
container.
Say • Our family is very important to us. Isaac was important to Abraham, but He was willing to give him up if God
asked. How can we show we believe God’s plan? We obey God even when He asks us to do things we
don’t understand.
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Sunday,
Oct 21,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 3 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
Journal and prayer (5 minutes)
• crayons or markers
• journal sheet, 1 per kid
• Bible story coloring page
Distribute a journal sheet to each child. Instruct the kids to draw or write on their journal sheet. For example,
encourage the kids to draw and color a star. Older kids can write at each point of the star a way they can obey
God. The journal is a great place to write prayer requests, too.
Say • Tell me one last time what our question and answer for today is. How can we show we believe God’s plan?
We obey God even when He asks us to do things we don’t understand.
End the session with prayer, thanking God for always being in control even when things happen that we don’t
understand. Pray for each child by name and ask God to help them always obey Him.
Dismiss to parents – Make sure to check security tags when dismissing children
Insights for Small Group Leaders
As you prepare each session, it’s important to understand how you can best use the elements available to you.
Below are a few actions to help you do that.
1. Study the Bible story closely. Even if you are using the Bible story on video, make sure you don’t neglect the
section of Scripture highlighted for each session.
2. Make sure you read the teacher Bible study. This will help you personally connect with the session, which will
give you more insight into how to present the material to the kids.
3. Choose the activities that best fit your kids. You will have two activity options at the beginning and two at the
end. While all the activities are designed to be easy and budget friendly, in each group you will notice the first has
a low prep logo in the margin. This option requires minimal, easy-to-find supplies.
4. Get excited. If you are excited about the session, the kids will be, too. As you lead, the kids will follow.
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