Genesis 18:1–16 | Abraham Receives Three Visitors

LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS

In Genesis 18:1–16, God changed Abram and Sarai’s names to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham receives three divine visitors under the hot sun. These visitors (two angels and the Lord) are welcomed with hospitality. One delivers a miraculous promise: Sarah will bear a child within a year. Though Sarah laughs, God reassures them that nothing is too hard for Him. This moment reminds us that God’s words are always true and He can do anything, even what seems impossible.

In Genesis 21:1–7, we see the fulfillment of that promise. Sarah gives birth to Isaac, whose name means “laughter.” Despite their old age, Abraham and Sarah rejoice in God’s faithfulness. This lesson teaches young children to believe that God’s promises are sure and that He always does what He says, in His perfect timing.

OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00–6:15 | Name Change

Items Needed

• Extra Large Name Tags (Print on Cardstock)
• Glue
• Large Sequins

Let each child pick a fun new name and decorate a name tag. After they tell you what their new name is for the day, they should put dots of glue on the name tag and then add beads or sequins to decorate it.

Let them know in our story today, “God changed Abram’s and Sarai’s names to Abraham and Sarah.”

SONG 6:20–6:30

PRAYER 6:30–6:40

• Sing “Whisper a Prayer” (softly).
• Form a prayer circle and hold hands.
• Say: “Dear God, thank You for always keeping Your promises. Help us to trust You just like Abraham and Sarah. Amen.”

BIBLE STORY 6:40–6:50

Question 1: What book of the Bible is this story from? (Genesis)
Question 2: Is Genesis in the Old or New Testament? (Old Testament)

Story:
Abraham and Sarah lived in a tent. One hot day, three visitors came to Abraham. He welcomed them and gave them food. The visitors were special. They were two angels and God! God said, “Sarah will have a baby next year.” Sarah heard it and laughed. She didn’t think it could happen because she was very old. But God said, “Is anything too hard for Me?” A year later, Sarah had a baby named Isaac. She laughed with joy because God kept His promise!

Theological Questions:

1. Who keeps all His promises? (God)
2. Is anything too hard for God? (No!)

Life Application Questions:

1. Can we trust what God says? (Yes!)
2. What should we do when we wait for God? (Be patient and believe Him)

Closing Prayer:
“God, You always keep Your promises. Thank You for doing what You say!”

BIBLE STORY GAME 6:50–7:00 | I Can Be Kind Beach Ball

Supplies Needed:

• A beach ball

Instructions:

1. Have all the children sit together in a circle on the floor.
2. Hold up the ball and say: “Abraham showed kindness to the three visitors by giving them food and a place to rest. We are going to practice being kind too!”
3. Begin the game by gently rolling or passing the ball to one child. When they receive it, they must say loudly: “I can be kind!”
4. That child then passes the ball to another friend who hasn’t had a turn yet.
5. If the ball goes to someone who already had a turn, they must quickly pass it to someone new so that everyone gets a chance to play.
6. Continue until all children have said: “I can be kind!”

Variation (for extra fun): After each round, change the phrase to match the lesson theme, such as:

• “God keeps His promises!”
• “I can trust God!”

Closing Tie-In:
When the game ends, say:

“Just like we all got a turn, God wants us to share His kindness with everyone we meet. Abraham was kind to his visitors, and we can be kind too!”

BIBLE CRAFT 7:00–7:15 | Hospitality Gift Bag

Items Needed:

• Brownie or Cookie (prewrapped for each child)
• Brown paper lunch bags (1 per child)
• Pre-printed “Kindness Stickers” & Notecard template (print and pre-cut for each child)
• Crayons or markers
• Glue sticks
• Smiley heart stickers (optional)

Pass out a set of Kindness Stickers and crayons. Say:

“Today, just like Abraham was kind to his visitors, we’re going to be kind and make a gift bag for someone special. Let’s color these kindness stickers and talk about what they say.”

Decorate the Bag
Help children glue their sticker section onto the bottom half of one side of the bag. Let them add heart or smiley stickers if desired. Let them color or decorate the other side of the bag with crayons or markers.

Create a Kind Note
Pass out the fill-in-the-blank Kind Notes and help children write their names or color the words.
Examples:

• “Dear _____, God loves you and so do I! From, ______”
• “You are special! Jesus loves you! – Love, _____”

Fill the Bag
Help children place their note and brownie or cookie inside the bag.
Say:

“Abraham served food to his visitors to show kindness. We’re putting a sweet treat inside to do the same!”

Close the Bag
Help them roll the top of the bag down a few times.

Celebrate: “Isn’t this nice? You made a special gift to show someone God’s love. Abraham made his visitors feel welcome, and you did too!”

SNACK TIME & COLORING 7:15–7:25

Items Needed:

• Coloring page
• Crayons
• Snack

Children color while enjoying a light snack. This is a calm time to talk about the story again.

Bible Story Video

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Genesis 18:1–16; 21:1–7 (KJV)
18 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

² And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

³ And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

⁴ Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

⁵ And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

⁶ And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.

⁷ And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.

⁸ And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

⁹ And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

¹⁰ And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.

¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

¹² Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

¹³ And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

¹⁴ Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

¹⁵ Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

¹⁶ And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET

Today’s Key Takeaway: God Keeps Promises

What I Learned Today:

1. Abraham and Sarah waited a long time for a baby.
2. God sent three visitors with good news.
3. God always does what He says!

Questions to Ask Me:

Theological:

1. Who promised Abraham and Sarah a baby? (God)
2. What is something God cannot do? (Lie)
3. What did Sarah do when she heard the news? (She laughed)
4. What was the baby’s name? (Isaac)
5. Is anything too hard for God? (No!)

Life Application:

1. What can I do when I’m waiting on something? (Trust God)
2. How does it feel to wait a long time? (Hard, but worth it)
3. Has God ever done something special for us? (Yes!)
4. How can I show I believe God? (Obey and pray)
5. Can God do anything? (Yes!)