John 15:15; Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1-4; 17:1-8; 17:15-22; 18:1-10; 21:1-3 and 22:1-19
PURPOSE OF THE LESSON
Teach children that God wishes us to be not only servants, but also His friends.
VERSE TO MEMORIZE
“I
no longer call you servants… Instead, I have called you friends...” (John
15:15)
INTRODUCTION
Educator, you start saying the following: Who here has
a friend whom you really admire? (Wait participation of your class) When we
have such a special friend we want to be always close to it, right? Imagine
being friends with God? Today I am going to tell you about a man who was
considered God’s friend. Let us find out whom am I talking about? Then listen
carefully, the story is about to start!
A
SERVANT BECOMING A FRIEND
ONCE UPON a time, there was a man called Abram.
He was married to Sarai and lived at a place called Ur. Sarai was sterile so
she could not have children. You know, class, Abram dreamed on being a father.
One
day, God said to Abram: “Get out of your
country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will
show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name
great…” (Genesis 12:1, 2). You know, class, Abram lived in that place for a
long time and had a house, oxen, cows, sheep, etc. Abram lived a very good life
and he would have to leave his relatives, friends, everything behind, to obey
the command of God.
At
that moment, Abram showed he was a servant of God and he quickly prepared
himself to the trip, even not knowing where to go.
One
day, during the trip, God promised to Abram that Sara would get pregnant. Abram
did not want to know when it would happen. Children, God saw his obedience and
changed his name to Abraham which means “Father of many people”. And Sarai was
called Sarah for she would have a baby, that is, God would bless her and from
her would be born nations and kings.
The years went by, Abraham was very
old and Sarah was not getting pregnant. But, one day, the Lord and two angels
appeared and said to Abraham that Sarah would have a son, and one year later,
she had a baby boy who was called Isaac; he was their great joy.
However, once more God decided to
test the faith and obedience of Abraham, do you know how? God asked Abraham to
offer Isaac as sacrifice. Once more God did a hard request to Abraham, right?
Abraham was a great God’s servant
and, even after waiting so many years for a son, he had no doubt that he should
obey to God’s request.
Abraham decided to obey without complaining,
organized everything and went with his son to the mount where God had sent him
to. You know, children, Abraham believed that no harm would happen to the boy.
When
he was prepared to give his son as sacrifice, God told him: “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do
anything to him; for now I know that you fear God...” (Genesis 22:12).
Abraham looked behind him and saw a lamb. He took it and offered to God as
sacrifice instead of Isaac. Once more Abraham proved to be obedient, and God
was faithful to him for Isaac became a man and was grandfather of the twelve
sons of Jacob, that is, those who originated the tribes of Israel.
CONCLUSION
God saw that Abraham truly loved Him,
even above the love he had for Isaac. Class, Abraham was a servant obedient to
God, but up the mount he became His friend. He went to sacrifice his son Isaac
and came down the mount as father of a great nation, including us for Abraham,
according to the Bible, is considered our father in faith. However, another
fact has happened also at that moment: Abraham climbed up as a servant of God
and came down as a friend for he showed he respected and loved God above all.
It is very strong, right class? Do you see the importance of obeying to the Word
of God? Only this way we can became His friends.
FUN CHAT
Educator, for this moment you will need cardboards,
one red and another white; scissors; glue; masking tape and felt tip pen. Make
a heart with the red cardboard, cut the white cardboard in seven pieces (not
too big, it will be glued on the heart) and write on them the following words: love,
obedience, respect, talk, sincerity, faithfulness and joy in serving Him. Glue
(with a piece of masking tape) these cards upside on the heart. Using masking
tape, you glue the heart on the board or on the wall of your classroom.
Start this moment by saying the following: Children,
we learned today that God wishes us to be more than just His servants; He wants
us to be His friends. Abraham believed, obeyed and loved God above all, and you
know what attitudes built and keep a great friendship? Then pay attention, we
are going to learn it. Do you see this heart? (Point to it) There are important
attitudes on it that we should take to be great friends with God, let us see?
Educator, you should invite a kid to turn each card. Start by saying: (Say the
name of the kid) turn one of the cards on the heart. Educator, suppose that one
turn the card with the word obedience, then you should explain: Little friends,
for us to be God’s friends we should obey Him. No one can be His friend without
obeying Him, right? Educator, you keep calling other kids to turn the cards and
explain the other words.
When there are no more words left finish the fun chat
memorizing the verse of the week. Say a prayer with your class thanking for the
opportunity he gives us of being His friends.
Activities
MATERNAL
Paint the scene
Abraham
obeyed, God blessed him, and he had a son named Isaac.
Paint it well.
PRIMARY
What is the order of the story?
Paint, cut and play with your friends.
JUNIORS
Memory Game
When
obeying Abraham showed that he loved God.
Paint,
cut and play with your friends.
Your Opinion is Very Important
