LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 22:1–19, Abraham is tested by God in a deeply emotional and dramatic way. God asks him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. Abraham’s obedience reveals the depth of his faith, trusting that God could even raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. This moment marks a pivotal demonstration of surrender, with Abraham choosing to obey God even when it seemed to cost him everything.
In Hebrews 11:17–19, the writer reflects on Abraham’s faith as exemplary. It was not blind obedience, but a deep, reasoned belief in God’s promise. Abraham trusted that God’s plan was always good, even when he didn’t understand it. This story points ahead to God’s provision of His own Son and teaches that real faith means giving everything to God, holding nothing back.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:15–10:30 | Coins in Playdoh
Items Needed
- Playdoh
- Assorted coins (1 bag per child)
Give each child an assorted bag of coins and a jar of Playdoh. Ask them to push the coins into the Playdoh to make imprints. Point out that on the coins are the words “In God We Trust”. Let them know to that today’s Bible story is about trusting God.
SONG 10:30–10:40
PRAYER 10:40–10:50
- Sing: “Whisper a Prayer” (soft and slow)
- Form a prayer circle
- Say: “Dear God, help us trust You like Abraham did. Help us remember that You are always good, even when we don’t understand. Amen.”
BIBLE STORY 10:50–11:00
Question 1: What book of the Bible is this from? (Genesis)
Question 2: Is it in the Old or New Testament? (Old Testament)
A long time ago, there was a man named Abraham. Can you say “Abraham”? [Wait for response] Abraham loved God very much.
God gave Abraham and his wife Sarah a baby boy named Isaac. Can you say “Isaac”? [Wait for response]
Isaac was Abraham’s favorite gift from God. Abraham loved Isaac so much.
One day, God asked Abraham to do something very hard. God said, take Isaac up on the mountain and sacrifice him like a lamb. Let’s march in place like we are walking up a big mountain. [Have kids march in place]
Abraham did not understand why God asked this. Abraham loved God so much, he trusted Him anyway. Can you say “I trust God”? [Wait for response]
Abraham and Isaac walked and walked up the mountain. [Keep marching] Isaac carried wood on his back. Let’s pretend to carry something heavy on our backs. [Have kids act this out]
Isaac asked his dad, where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham said, God will provide the lamb, my son. Should we trust God like Abraham did? [Let kids respond]
When they got to the top, Abraham built an altar. Let’s pretend to stack big rocks together. [Have kids stack pretend rocks] Stack, stack, stack!
Abraham loved God so much, he was ready to obey, even when it was hard. But guess what happened next?
An angel called out from heaven in a loud voice. Let’s all say it loud like the angel. Stop, Abraham! [Have kids shout “Stop, Abraham!”]
The angel said, do not hurt your son. I know you trust God with everything.
Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the bushes. Can you make sheep sounds with me? Baa, baa! [Have kids say “baa baa”]
Abraham gave the ram to God instead. God took care of everything, just like He always does.
Object Lesson: [Hold up an empty jar and a small heart cutout or toy.] Boys and girls, this jar is like our hearts. Sometimes we hold onto things really tight, like our favorite toy. [Hold the toy tightly] But Abraham gives God the most important thing in his jar, his heart. Can we give God our whole heart too? [Let kids respond] [Drop the heart into the jar] When we trust God, we let Him have first place, just like Abraham did.
Theological Questions:
- Did God really want Abraham to hurt Isaac? [Let kids respond] (No, God was testing Abraham’s love)
- Who took care of Abraham and Isaac on the mountain? [Let kids respond] (God did)
Life Application Questions:
- Can you think of a time it is hard to trust God? [Let kids respond]
- What is something you can give to God today? [Let kids respond]
Prayer: Dear God, like Abraham, help us trust You even when it is hard. Thank You for always taking care of us. Amen! [Have kids say “Amen!” loudly together]
BIBLE STORY GAME 11:00–11:15 | Baa-Baa Ram Hunt
Items Needed
- Cotton Balls
Hide several cotton ball “sheep” or small stuffed lambs around the classroom before the kids arrive. Send the children on a hunt to find the hidden “rams,” just like the ram God provided for Abraham in the bushes. Every time a child finds one, everyone shouts “Baa baa, God provides!” together.
BIBLE CRAFT 11:15–11:30 | Ram in a Tree Craft
Items Needed
- Ram in a Tree Craft (Printed on Cardstock)
- Glue
- Cotton Balls
- Crayons
Have children color the paper. Then have them put glue on the back of the ram and stick cotton balls on it. Remind them that in the story, God provided a ram for the sacrifice. God will always provide for our needs.
SNACK & BIBLE VIDEO 11:30–11:40
Pass out snacks. Allow kids time to eat while they watch the Bible Story video.
BONUS ACTIVITY: Ram Hide & Seek
Hide a small toy ram around the room. Children take turns finding it. Discuss how God provided the ram in the story.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE | Genesis 22:1–19 (KJV)
22 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Trusting God
What I Learned Today:
- Abraham loved God and trusted Him.
- God asked Abraham to give up something very special.
- God always keeps His promises and takes care of us.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions
- Who gave Abraham his son? (God)
- Why did God test Abraham? (To see if he would obey)
- What did God send instead of Isaac? (A ram)
- What does this teach us about God? (He provides)
- Where did this story happen? (Mount Moriah)
Life Application Questions
- What is something I love that I can give to God? (Toys, time, love)
- Can I trust God even when it’s hard? (Yes)
- What does it mean to obey God? (Do what He says)
- How can I show faith in God? (By trusting and obeying)
- What is something I can thank God for today? (Family, love, Jesus)