Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group - Clover

Sunday,
Oct 14,
2012
TEACHER BIBLE STUDY
Unit 2 Sesson 2 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
Abraham and Sarai had been living in Canaan for 10 years. Even though God had promised them more
descendants than they could count, they still didn’t have a child! So Sarai devised a plan to help God out. She
gave her slave, Hagar, to her husband as a second wife (concubine).
The taking of a concubine by the husband of a barren woman was not unheard of in that day. It was a way to
carry on the family name. Since Hagar was a slave in the household, Hagar’s child would be Abraham’s heir.
When Hagar became pregnant and began to disrespect Sarai, Sarai mistreated her until Hagar ran away. Hagar
was probably returning to Egypt when an angel of the Lord found her in the wilderness. He asked her what she
was doing and instructed her to return to Abraham and Sarai. The angel also gave Hagar a promise: she would
have a son named Ishmael, because the Lord heard her cry of affliction.
Thirteen years after Ishmael was born, God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah to reaffirm His promise of a son for
Sarah. Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to Isaac, just as God had said.
Abraham and Sarah had waited 25 years for the son of promise. Even though Sarah tried to “help” God’s plan,
God was faithful to His promise. God can always be trusted.
Help the kids you teach understand that God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by giving him a son. Isaac was the
hope of Abraham and Sarah for a future and a legacy. God also promised to send the Savior, Jesus Christ, through
Abraham’s family. Jesus ultimately fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham, and He is the hope of the world for
salvation and redemption.
YOUNGER KIDS BIBLE STUDY
OVERVIEW
Session Title: The Sons of Abraham
Bible Passage: Genesis 16:1-16; 17:15-22; 21:1-7
Big Picture Question: Who always keeps His covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant; people should always
trust God.
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 Opening
Welcome time
Activity sheet (5 minutes)
Session starter (10 minutes)
Key passage activity (5 minutes)
Bible story review (10 minutes)
Activity choice (10 minutes)
Journal and prayer (5 minutes)
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Sunday,
Oct 14,
2012
THE BIBLE STORY
Unit 2 Sesson 2 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
The Sons of Abraham
Genesis 16:1-16; 17:15-22; 21:1-7
God promised Abraham in His special covenant that he would have a child, but Abraham and Sarai still had no
children. So Sarai decided she would try to solve the problem on her own. She told Abraham, “Since the Lord has
prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.”
Abraham agreed to marry Hagar. When Hagar became pregnant, she began to treat Sarai with disrespect. Sarai
was upset, and she complained to Abraham. Abraham said, “Do whatever you want with her.” Sarai began to
mistreat Hagar until Hagar ran away.
Hagar was in the wilderness when an Angel of the Lord found her near a spring of water. “Hagar, slave of Sarai,
where have you come from and where are you going?” the angel asked.
“I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” Hagar replied.
The Angel of the Lord told Hagar that she needed to return to Abraham and Sarai and do whatever Sarai said.
Then the angel gave Hagar a promise: “I will greatly multiply your offspring. You have conceived and will have a
son.” The Angel of the Lord told Hagar to name her son Ishmael because the Lord had heard her cry of affliction.
He also told her that Ishmael would always be hostile and fight with other people, including his own family.
Hagar returned home and gave birth to her son. Abraham was 86 years old when Ishmael was born. Abraham
now had a son! Had Sarai’s plan really worked? But Ishmael was not the son God would choose to be part of His
special covenant with Abraham.
Abraham and Sarai continued to wait for 14 more years for God to give them their promised son. One day God
appeared to Abraham and told him that he was changing Sarai’s name to Sarah, which means “princess.” God
said, “I will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. She will be remembered because her descendants will
include entire nations and kings.”
Abraham laughed because he was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 years old. How could Abraham and Sarah be
parents when they were so old? Abraham wanted God to bless his son Ishmael instead, but God told Abraham
that this was not His plan.
“In one year, Sarah will have a son,” God said. “I want you to name him Isaac. I will confirm My covenant with
him as an everlasting covenant for his future offspring.” As for Ishmael, God said He would bless him too, but the
covenant would only be for Isaac and his offspring.
A year later God kept His covenant with Abraham when Sarah gave birth to a son. Abraham named his son
Isaac, just as God had instructed him. Abraham learned that God is always faithful to keep His covenant;
everyone should always trust God.
Christ Connection: God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by giving him a son. Isaac was the hope of Abraham
and Sarah for a future and a legacy. God fulfilled His promise to the world by giving us His Son. Jesus ultimately
fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham, and He is the hope of the world for salvation and redemption.
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Sunday,
Oct 14,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 2 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
SMALL GROUP OPENING
Session Title: The Sons of Abraham
Bible Passage: Genesis 16:1-16; 17:15-22; 21:1-7
Big Picture Question: Who always keeps His covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant; people should always
trust God.
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: Waiting game
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.
• candy or another wrapped food item
• small prizes (optional)
As kids arrive, hand them a piece of candy or another individually wrapped food item. Tell each child he can take
the item and have a seat. Give the children permission to eat now, but promise they will receive something even
better if they wait. Ask them to share with the kids beside them some reasons to wait. An excuse might be “Sugar
makes me hyper,” or “It’s almost lunch time.” Before class starts, give those who waited a second piece or
another prize. You may also choose to wait until the end of the class to do so.
Say • Sometimes we receive rewards when we wait. However, it’s hard to wait for something you want right now.
Today’s lesson talks about a couple who didn’t wait on God.
Activity sheet (5 minutes)
• “Amazing Plan” activity sheet, 1 per kid
• pencils
Guide boys and girls to complete the activity sheet. Once completed, read aloud Genesis 17:17; 21:5-6.
Say • Abraham and Sarah laughed because they thought having a baby at their age was impossible, but God can
do anything. We can trust His promises.
Session starter (10 minutes)
Option 1: The laughing game
Tip: If no one volunteers, be the first volunteer. When you finish, the rest will probably want to join in.
Ask a volunteer to try to make the class laugh by making a funny face, a noise, or a fun movement. Tell the rest of
the kids they must try not to smile or laugh. Give the volunteer about 30 seconds to perform. Count the kids who
do smile or laugh. Congratulate the volunteer for getting that many kids to laugh. Allow that child to choose the
next volunteer. Repeat as time allows.
Say • In Today’s Bible story, Abraham and Sarah don’t wait for God to keep a promise he made. They laugh at
what seems like the impossible.
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Sunday,
Oct 14,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 2 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
Option 2: Promise keeper
• plain white paper, 1 sheet per kid
• tape
Distribute one sheet of paper to each child. Ask them to follow your instructions.
1. Fold the sheet in half like a book, widthwise.
2. Unfold the sheet.
3. Fold both edges to meet at the fold in the center.
4. Fold the fold in the center again to make one strip of paper.
5. Fold the ends about a half inch and tape down.
6. Fold in half lengthwise.
You should have a paper wallet with one opening at the top.
Say • While you could hold money in this wallet, I would like you to use it for something
more important. When you make a promise, write it or draw it on a piece of paper and
keep it in your promise keeper. We sometimes need to be reminded of our promises, but
God always remembers His.
SMALL GROUP LEADER
Session Title: The Sons of Abraham
Bible Passage: Genesis 16:1-16; 17:15-22; 21:1-7
Big Picture Question: Who always keeps His covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant; people should always
trust God.
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 (optional)
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Sunday,
Oct 14,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 2 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
Make sure the key passage, Genesis 17:7, is visible to each child, either as the printed poster or written on a
whiteboard. Read the verse together. Remind kids what covenant, generation, and offspring mean.
Say • Today we learned that this covenant was passed down to Abraham’s son Isaac, and we learned that God
always keeps His covenant. Who always keeps His covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant;
people should always trust God. Let’s see just how well you know the verse already.
Form at least two groups with two to four children in each. Explain that you will read the verse, but you will make
a mistake. The first person to stand once the mistake is made will win for their group. If anyone from a group
stands when a mistake has not been made, that group is disqualified. Read the verse and leave out a word.
Always stop when someone stands. If you didn’t make a mistake, continue with the other teams. Repeat as time
allows.
Bible story review (10 minutes)
• Bibles, 1 per child
• small group visual pack
• big picture question slide or poster
Encourage the kids to find Genesis 16 in their Bibles.
Say • Who can tell me the first five books of the Bible? (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) What
are these books called? (The Law) Who are some of the people we have learned about in Genesis? (Adam,
Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Ishmael, Isaac, and so forth)
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.
Ask the following true/false questions. Tell the kids that if they think the statement is true, to jump up and
quickly trade seats with someone else standing. Advise them to cover their ears if they think it is false. If only one
child stands when true is called, tell her she can just sit in any empty chair or on the floor until you give the
correct answer. If she’s correct, allow her to pick anyone she wants to trade seats with.
• The covenant God made with Abraham was passed down to Ishmael. (False, Genesis 17:19)
• Abraham and Sarah were old when they had Isaac. (True, Genesis 21:2,5)
• Abraham and Sarah laughed when God told them about Isaac. (True, Genesis 17:17; 18:12; 21:6)
• Ishmael did not receive a promise from God. (False, Genesis 16:10-12; 17:20)
• We can always trust God to keep his promises. (True.)
Invite kids to go back to their original seats. Show the big picture question slide or poster.
Say • Who always keeps His covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant; people should always trust
God. Abraham and Sarah learned this the hard way, but we can learn from their example. What God says
He will do, He will do. It’s been thousands of years since God first made that promise to Abraham, but we
still have the benefits today because that promise was fulfilled in Jesus, who came to save us.
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Sunday,
Oct 14,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 2 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
Activity choice (10 minutes)
Option 1: Trust me
1. Bible
Tip: Explain the game to all the kids before choosing a volunteer, so the first volunteer doesn’t really feel he did something wrong.
Choose a volunteer and ask him to hold something very valuable to you: your Bible. Ask the volunteer to promise
you that you can trust him with it. If he says “yes,” ask him to lay the Bible down on a table or chair at the front of
the room. Direct him to turn and face the wall away from the other kids. Then secretly choose another child, “the
bandit,” to sneak up and take the Bible back to his seat and hide it. After the Bible is hidden, ask the volunteer:
“Where is my Bible I trusted you with?” He must decide who took the Bible. Give him three guesses. If he finds
the bandit, the bandit gives the Bible back and the volunteer chooses who goes next. If he doesn’t find the
bandit, the bandit gets to be the next volunteer. Repeat as time allows.
Say • I trusted something very important to you, and some of you were not able to keep your promise. God
always keeps his promises, including the promises of His covenant with Abraham. Who always keeps His
covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant; people should always trust God.
Option 2: Covenant bracelets
• string or lace cut into 12- to 16-inch lengths, 2 per child
• assorted beads
Each child will make two bracelets. Distribute two pieces of string or lace to each kid. Collect an assortment of
beads and invite each kid to make two bracelets. She is to make one for herself and give one away as a mission
project.
Say • These are covenant bracelets. You must give one bracelet to someone with a covenant or promise to pray
for him or her every day for at least one week. Wear your bracelet or place it where you will see it every
day as a covenant reminder until you have completed that promise. Can you keep your covenant? Who
always keeps His covenant? God is always faithful to keep His covenant; people should always trust God.
Journal and prayer (5 minutes)
• crayons or markers
• journal sheet, 1 per kid
• Bible story coloring page
Instruct the kids to draw or write on their journal sheets. For example, encourage the kids to draw a big circle
with Abraham and Isaac’s names inside it. Older kids can write above it the big picture question and answer for
the week. The journal is a great place to write prayer requests, too. Keep the journals in the classroom so they
will be available every week or as often as you wish to use them.
Say • What is our big picture question and answer for today? Who always keeps His covenant? God is always
faithful to keep His covenant; people should always trust God.
Children may color the Bible story coloring picture if time allows. Take prayer requests aloud if time remains. End
the session with prayer, thanking God for always keeping His covenant. Pray for each child by name, and ask God
to help us be faithful and trust Him.
Dismiss to parents – Make sure to check security tags when dismissing children
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Sunday,
Oct 14,
2012
Unit 2 Sesson 2 – Younger Elementary
Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group
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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