LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 26:12-25, we read about Isaac’s experience in the Valley of Gerar. Isaac planted crops in the land, and the Lord blessed him abundantly. His crops produced one hundred times what he normally would have harvested. Isaac became very wealthy with large flocks, herds, and many servants. His prosperity made the Philistines jealous of him. After Isaac’s father Abraham had died, the Philistines had stopped up all the wells that Abraham’s servants had dug. King Abimelech told Isaac he had become too powerful and asked him to leave their area.
Isaac moved to the Valley of Gerar and reopened the wells his father Abraham had dug. Isaac’s workers discovered a new well of fresh water, but the shepherds from Gerar argued with Isaac’s shepherds, claiming the water belonged to them. Isaac moved and dug another well, but they quarreled over that one too. Finally, Isaac moved again and dug another well. This time there was no dispute. Isaac named this well Rehoboth, saying the Lord had made room for them. Isaac then went to Beersheba where God appeared to him in a dream, promising to be with him and bless him. Isaac built an altar there to worship God and his servants dug another well in that place.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:15-10:30 | Discover Water
Items Needed:
- Large plastic tub
- Sand or Dirt
- Small containers of water hidden in the sand
- Small shovels or large spoons
- Buckets
Fill a large plastic tub with sand and hide small sealed containers of water throughout the sand. Give children small shovels or large spoons and have them dig in the sand to discover the hidden “wells” (water containers). When they find a container, they can pour it into a bucket. Explain that in Bible times, people had to dig deep holes in the ground to find water, just like Isaac did.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 10:30-10:40 | Treasure Hunt with a Twist
Items Needed:
- Small bags or boxes
- Chocolate gold coins or gold-wrapped candy
- Paper Hearts & Memory Verse Poster
Hide bags around the room. Some bags contain gold coins (candy), others contain paper hearts with “good name” words. Have children hunt for the bags. After finding them, gather together and open each bag. Compare the gold coins with the paper hearts. Ask, “Which treasure is better?” Explain that while gold candy is fun, being a good friend and having a good name lasts forever and makes God happy. Let children keep both treasures, but reinforce that the “good name” treasures are more valuable.
SONG 10:40-10:50
BIBLE STORY 10:50-11:00 a.m.
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Genesis
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? Old Testament
Object Lesson: Bring a small shovel or large spoon and a cup of water. Show the children how you would have to dig in the ground to find water, just like Isaac did.
Isaac was a man who loved God. One year, Isaac planted seeds in the ground to grow food. God blessed Isaac, and the seeds grew into big, beautiful plants! Isaac’s crops produced one hundred times more food than usual. God gave Isaac so many blessings! He had lots of sheep, lots of cows, and many helpers.
Isaac became very rich. He had so much that his neighbors, the Philistines, became jealous. They didn’t like that Isaac had more than they did. After Isaac’s father Abraham died, the Philistines did something mean. They filled up all the wells that Abraham’s servants had dug with dirt! Wells are deep holes in the ground where people find water to drink.
King Abimelech told Isaac, “You have too much. You need to leave and go somewhere else.” Even though this wasn’t fair, Isaac obeyed. He didn’t argue or fight. Isaac moved his family, his animals, and all his helpers to a new place called the Valley of Gerar.
When Isaac got to the Valley of Gerar, he had his servants dig out the wells that his father Abraham had made long ago. The Philistines had filled them with dirt, but Isaac’s servants cleaned them out. Then Isaac’s servants dug and found a brand-new well with fresh, clean water! But the shepherds who lived nearby said, “That water is ours, not yours!”
Did Isaac fight with them? No! He moved again. Isaac’s servants dug another well. Again, the people argued and said the water belonged to them. Did Isaac get angry and fight? No! He moved again to a new place.
This time, when Isaac’s servants dug a well, nobody argued! Nobody said it belonged to them. Isaac was so happy! He named the well Rehoboth, which means “room.” Isaac said, “Now the Lord has made room for us!”
Isaac moved to another place called Beersheba. That night, God came to Isaac in a dream and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you. I will bless you.” Isaac was so thankful! He built an altar, which is a special place to worship God. Isaac prayed and thanked God for taking care of him. Isaac’s servants also dug a well there and found water.
Even though Isaac had lots of money, animals, and things, what Isaac really needed was God’s help and God’s peace. The most important thing wasn’t Isaac’s money or his wells. The most important thing was that Isaac loved God and God loved Isaac.
Theological Questions:
- Who made Isaac’s crops grow so much? (God did! God blessed Isaac.)
- When people were mean to Isaac, what did God do? (God stayed with Isaac and helped him. God took care of Isaac.)
Life Application Questions:
- When someone is mean to you or takes your toy, should you fight or should you be kind like Isaac? (We should be kind and not fight.)
- What is more important than having lots of toys or money? (Loving God, having friends, being kind, and having family are more important.)
Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for taking care of Isaac and giving him everything he needed. Help us to remember that You are always with us. Teach us to be kind even when others are not kind to us. We love You. Amen.”
BIBLE CRAFT 11:00-11:15 a.m. | “Better Than Gold” Name Plaque
Items Needed
- Cardstock or thick paper
- Aluminum foil
- Glue
- Markers
- Permanent Marker
- Memory Verse Cutouts
Description: Glue a sheet of foil onto the cardstock. Fold cardstock into a name tent. Write the child’s name in large letters on the tent. On the back, glue “A Good Name is Better Than Silver or Gold – Proverbs 22:1.” Children can use this as a reminder that their good character and reputation matter more than wealth.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Genesis 26:12-25 (KJV)
12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him.
13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
15 For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
18 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.
19 And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
21 And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.
22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
23 And he went up from thence to Beersheba.
24 And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.
25 And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.
COLORING PAGE
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: God Provides Everything
What I learned today: Today we learned about Isaac, who planted crops and God made them grow one hundred times more than expected. When Isaac’s neighbors were jealous and mean to him, Isaac chose to move peacefully instead of fighting. God stayed with Isaac and took care of him wherever he went, reminding us that God’s love and care are more valuable than anything money can buy.
Questions to ask me:
Theological Questions:
- Who made Isaac’s crops grow so big? (God did)
- What did Isaac build to worship God? (An altar)
- Did God leave Isaac when people were mean to him? (No, God stayed with Isaac)
- What did God promise Isaac in his dream? (That God would be with him and bless him)
- Why did the Philistines fill Isaac’s wells with dirt? (They were jealous of all that Isaac had)
Life Application Questions:
- What should you do when someone is mean to you? (Be kind and don’t fight back, like Isaac)
- What things are more important than money? (Family, friends, being kind, loving God)
- When you have to share, should you argue or be peaceful? (Be peaceful)
- Who takes care of you every day? (God does, and our parents)
- If someone takes your toy, what would Isaac do? (Isaac would let them have it and find something else, choosing peace)