Abraham and Sarah's New Identity: Contemporary Christian Music Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

God gave Abram and Sarai new names to signify that they were new creations after making the covenant with God. Use music (Steven Curtis Chapman’s ‘The Change’ and Stacie Orrico’s ‘Don’t Look at Me’) to explore how Christians act differently than non-Christians.

This music and discussion lesson is particularly appropriate for youth.

Scripture Reference:

Genesis 17 – God gave Abram and Sarai new names

Additional Verses:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

Lesson Objectives:

Students will consider what it means to follow God/what a Christian looks and acts like.

Leader Preparations:

• Read the scripture ahead of time.
• Preview the music/videos.
• Test your equipment (and internet connection) for playing the music. Check out the tips here if you need help.

Supplies List:

• "The Change" from Steven Curtis Chapman’s album Speechless
• ‘Don’t Look at Me’ from Stacie Orrico’s album Genuine
• CD player or another way to play the music or music videos.
• Handouts containing lyrics for the songs ‘The Change’ and ‘Don’t Look at Me’

LESSON

Welcome and Lesson Introduction

Greet the children and introduce yourself.

Open with a prayer.

Main Content

Lesson Overview:
The general concept of this lesson is the exploration of how Christians (and specifically teen Christians) act differently than non-Christians.

When God covenanted with Abraham and Sarah he changed their names to show that
their relationship with God made them new creations.

The song ‘The Change’ by Steven Curtis Chapman talks about the outward signs of being a Christian – the bumper stickers, the T-shirts, etc. It also asks the important question, “What about the change” that should take place inside a person when they turn their lives over to God?

Stacie Orrico’s song ‘Don’t Look at Me’ contrasts by cautioning Christians not to let people think they have all the answers just because they are Christians. People are people, not God, no matter how “holy” they are.

Watch (or listen to) "The Change"

Questions for Discussion:

• Do you have friends who are non-Christians? What do they think of your choice to follow God?
• Do you know Christians who are all talk and no action as far as their faith is concerned? (Do they have all the “things a good Christian needs” yet don’t act like they have truly brought God into their hearts?)
• Do non-Christians expect you to be perfect or a goodie-goodie? How do you deal with people’s expectations of you?
• Look though Abraham and Sarah’s story (Genesis 12-18 and 21-22) to find examples of how they showed their humanity by not trusting God or by not following God’s instructions. For Example:
  • Genesis 12:10 and on – Why did Abram go to Egypt? Was he panicked by the famine and took matters into his own hands? Notice he literally gets back on track, returning to Bethel and Ai in Genesis 13:1-4 where it says he called upon the Lord.
  • Genesis 12:12 – Abram asked Sarai to pretend she was his sister.
  • Genesis 16:1 – Sarai gives Hagar to Abram to conceive a child.
  • Genesis 18:12 – Sarah laughs when told she will have a child.
  • Genesis 21:10 – Sarah asks Abraham to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael so that Ishmael will not inherit anything.

Watch or listen to "Don't Look at Me"

• How do you feel when Christians make mistakes?
• Do you hold yourself and other Christians to too high a set of standards?
• Be assured that God does not expect us to be perfect. God knows we are human and loves us anyway. Do we love others in the same way that God loves us?

Closing Reflection:

Another Steven Curtis Chapman song to listen to/watch and prayerfully reflect upon: "Speechless." Do you think Abraham and Sarah were Speechless?

A lesson written by Ruth Kroboth from: Elmgrove United Methodist Church

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