Bible Stories: Abraham Offers Isaac to God

 

This story is called "Day 16: Abraham Offers Isaac to God" from 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories by Daniel Partner.

 

Bible Stories: Abraham's Two Sons

This story is called "Day 14: Abraham's Two Sons" from 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories by Daniel Partner.

 

Bible Stories: God Makes a Promise

 

This story is called "Day 11: God Makes a Promise" from 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories by Daniel Partner.

 

Bible Stories: God Appears to Abraham

 

This story is called "Day 10: God Appears to Abraham" from 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories by Daniel Partner.

 

The Woman Said, "I Will Go"

The Young Learner's Bible Storybook had a great idea for this lesson using the words "come" and "go." First, we practiced moving from one side of the room to the other when I used the key words "come" and "go." Then, while reading the story, the kids will move when they hear a key word. After reading and moving around, we'll sit and I'll reread the story and we'll discuss in a group.

God's Promise in the Night

We started off this lesson of the promise God made to Abraham by using a white crayon to draw stars in the night sky on the activity sheet I created. While reading the story, the kids watercolored the night sky over the picture. We talked a little about shadows and why purples and blues are good choices for night pictures.

July 26: God's People Grow

After reviewing the last 4 weeks, read "part 5" of The Big Picture Story Bible. I started out by giving each child a coloring page of Joseph. I explained that the this story begins when his dad, Jacob, gave him a coat of many colors. I encouraged the kids to color the picture while I listed several reasons Joseph's brothers hated him, before beginning the story.

After reading, we discussed what happened.

What did Joseph's brothers do to him? Why? Was Joseph alone in Egypt? Who was with him?

How did God take care of Joseph? Why do you think God made Joseph a helper to the Egyptians?

When Joseph's brothers came for food, how did he respond?

What parts of God's promise to Abraham can we see in this story?

If Joseph had chosen to be spiteful to his brothers and turn away their request, God's promise to Abraham could have ended right there. He would've had his revenge on his brothers, but would have (unknowingly) lost God's blessing for the family to become great. God's people kept growing!

Do you think Egypt will be the promised land for Abraham's family?

July 19: God's Big Promise

We reviewed how so far God had created humans and they chose to disobey Him. Over time, people continued to disobey so He sent a great flood and save the only obedient family: Noah's. After some time, people began to disobey God again and He wanted to honor Abraham, who had chosen to obey Him when so many others chose not to. He had a big blessing promised for Abraham and his wife, Sarah. 

How many stars are there in the sky? After reading the story, we discussed that God told Abraham that he would have many descendants (kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, etc.) The kids estimated about how many descendants they thought he might have. Many thought that 2-3 kids, 5-10 grandkids, and about 20 great-grandkids would be adequate for God's blessing.

We discussed how God told Abraham to look at the stars in the sky- he would have as many relatives as there are stars! Most of the kids guessed 10-1,000,000 stars, so we created our own starry nights to see about how many stars there might be.

We did this by going outside and flicking white paint from dollar-store toothbrushes onto blue or black construction paper. The older kids had a blast using the toothbrushes for "play" instead of work (haha!) and although some of the little ones used it more as a paintbrush, everyone agreed their artwork looked like a night sky.

Then week came back inside and had snack as our paintings quickly dried. After eating, I asked the kiddos how many stars were in their skies. Many started (and tried miserably!) to count but everyone decided there were just too many to count.

And that's the whole point, I told them! God wanted to bless Abraham, just like he wants to give us blessings today. We are okay with little things in our lives, just like Abraham would be happy with an extended family of 50, but God wants SO MUCH MORE for us. If we love and obey God He wants to give us His blessings. They might not come in the way of money or fame, but He gives us mercy, grace, patience, love, the list goes on. And the more we honor God, the more He will bless us by giving us the things we really need while we're on this earth.