LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 12:1–9, God commands Abram to leave everything familiar and go to a new place. God doesn’t give a map or destination, only a promise: to bless Abram, make his name great, and turn his family into a nation that would bless the whole world. Despite having no children and not knowing where he was going, Abram obeyed. His faith was more than belief; it led to action.
This passage introduces children to the concept of “living faith” or a trust in God that moves us forward, even when we don’t see the full picture. For preschoolers, it’s a gentle beginning into the understanding that God’s plans are always good, and we can trust Him even when we feel unsure.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:30–10:45 | Abram Star Activity
Items Needed
- Abram and the Stars Printout
- Glue
- Star Stickers
Have the children start by gluing small pieces of yellow tissue paper onto the stars. Then give them star stickers to place around the stars. Let them know in our story today God is going to make a promise to Abram that involves the stars.
SONG 10:45–11:00
PRAYER 11:00–11:10
Whisper a Prayer (sing together)
Prayer Example:
“Dear God, thank You for loving Abram and loving us. Help us to follow You with happy hearts, even when we don’t know everything. Amen.”
BIBLE STORY 11:10–11:20
Question 1: What book is this story from? (Genesis)
Question 2: Is that in the Old or New Testament? (Old Testament)
Boys and girls, I have a question for you. Have you ever moved to a new house? Or gone somewhere brand new that you had never been before? [Wait for response]
Sometimes new places can feel a little scary, right? [Let kids respond]
Today we are going to hear about a man who had to go somewhere brand new, and he did not even know where he was going! His name was Abram. Can you say “Abram”? [Wait for response: “Abram”]
Abram had a house, friends, and family all around him. He was very comfortable right where he was.
He was nice and comfortable. One day, God spoke to Abram. Can you cup your hands around your ears and listen really carefully? [Cup hands around ears]
God said, Abram, I want you to leave your home. Leave your family. Leave everything you know, and go to a new land that I will show you.
Can you say “I will show you”? [Wait for response: “I will show you”]
Now boys and girls, here is what is so amazing. God did not give Abram a map. He did not tell Abram the name of the place. He just said GO, and I will show you when you get there.
Can you stand up really straight and tall like you are ready to go on a big adventure? [Kids stand up]
Do you think that felt a little scary for Abram? [Wait for response]
It might have! But God also made Abram a very special promise. Can you say “promise”? [Wait for response: “promise”]
God said, Abram, if you go, I will bless you. I will take care of you. I will make your family grow into something so big and so great that the whole world will be blessed because of you. Your family will be as countless as the stars.
Imagine you woke up tomorrow and someone you trusted completely said, pack your bag. We are going on a trip. You do not know where. You just have to trust me.
Would you pack your bag? [Wait for response]
That is exactly what Abram did! He trusted God so much that he packed up everything he owned. He packed up his whole house! His tents, his animals, all of his things. He packed up his wife Sarai and and his nephew Lot. They also brought all of their animals! Let’s make some animal sounds! What sound does a sheep make? [Wait for response]
What about a donkey? [Wait for response]
What about a cow? [Wait for response]
Abram had ALL of those animals walking along with him on his big trip!
Now let’s all walk in place like we are on a very long journey through the hot desert. [Walk in place slowly and tiredly]
It was a long walk. A very long walk. But Abram kept going. Because he trusted God.
Can you say “I trust God”? [Wait for response: “I trust God”]
And do you know what happened along the way? God showed up again! God said, Abram, do you see all this land around you? I am going to give this land to your family someday.
Abram had to have faith. Faith means trusting God even when you cannot see the whole plan. Abram had faith, and because Abram said yes to God, something amazing happened. His family grew and grew. Many many years later, one of Abram’s family members was born into the world. And that family member was Jesus.
Theological Questions:
- Why did God ask Abram to leave his home, and what does that tell us about who is in charge of our plans?
- What is a promise, and why can we always trust the promises God makes?
Life Application Questions:
- Has God ever helped you do something that felt a little scary? What happened?
- If God asked you to do something hard, what would help you say yes and trust Him?
Prayer:
God, thank You for being a God we can always trust, even when we do not know what is coming next. Help us to be brave like Abram and say yes to You with our whole hearts. Amen! [Have kids say “Amen!” together]
BIBLE STORY GAME 11:20–11:30 | Balloon Pop Challenge
Items Needed:
- Inflated balloon and a string for each child
Each child will tie the balloon to their ankle. On “go”, all the children will try to squash the balloons of the other players. The children who still have their balloon intact after 2 minutes are the winners. (Warn them to avoid stomping on feet.)
Application: Our faith is like the balloon. We need to protect it. Others will try to stomp out our faith and cause us to doubt what God has told us. When we keep our faith alive, we honor God.
BIBLE CRAFT 11:30–11:45 | Abram’s Suitcase
Items Needed
- Abram’s Suitcase Printed on Card Stock
- Crayons
Have kids color their suit case. They can take turns picking items off of the wall to pack into their suitcase. Each child should pick one item and give it to their friends to pack. Explain that Abram had to pack everything he owned and moved. Ask what other items he might have packed.
SNACK TIME & Bible Story Video 7:15–7:30
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat while they watch the Bible story video.
Bonus Activity: Red Light, Green Light
Line kids up at one in of the room. Ask them to pay attention and listen for when you say “go”. If you say GREEN LIGHT they should “go”. If you say “red light” they should stop. They should not run but instead take giant steps across the room.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (KJV)
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.
9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Trust and Go
What I Learned Today:
- God asked Abram to go to a new place.
- Abram trusted God and obeyed.
- God has good plans for people who listen to Him.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- Who told Abram to move? (God)
- What did God promise Abram? (A big family and blessings)
- Did Abram trust God? (Yes)
- What did Abram build to worship? (An altar)
- What kind of faith did Abram have? (Living faith)
Life Application Questions:
- What do you do when God asks you to do something new? (Trust and obey)
- Can you follow directions even if you don’t know everything? (Yes)
- Who helps you when you’re scared or unsure? (God)
- Can you talk to God like Abram did? (Yes)
- How can we show faith like Abram? (By doing what God says)
SAVE TO PINTEREST
