Abraham and Sarah Name Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Students will discover the meanings of some of the names in our Bible story and will also discover the meaning of their own names. They will make large personalized name posters.

Scripture References:  

Genesis 17:1-8, 15-22; Genesis 21:1-7

Lesson Objective:

To learn the meanings of some names in our Bible story and to discover the meaning of our own names.

Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Gather the materials.
• Make posters with "Sarah" and "Abraham" written on them in large open-faced letters (you could use free name art templates available at iwanttobeasuperteacher.com: Bubble Letter Name Art Freebie). Consider making posters for all of your students in advance if your class time is limited.

Supplies List:

LESSON

Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Greet the children and introduce yourself. Let them know what you will be doing today and then open with a prayer.

Main Content and Reflection:

1. Read Genesis 17:1-8, 15-22 and discuss the meaning of Abraham and Sarah's names. Why do they think God named them as God did? How/why are these names and these people important to history? to us? Do their names "fit" with their personalities and actions?

2. Read Genesis 21:1-7 and discuss the meaning of Isaac's name. How/why is Isaac important to history? to us? Does his name fit its meaning?

3. Ask the students if they know what their names mean and why their parents gave them their names. Look up the meanings of the participants' names if necessary. (Be prepared for unique names - many times they are a derivative of another name.) Discuss each participants' name and whether its meaning seems to fit that person.

4. Have each participant make a giant name poster with their name written in bold open-faced letters. You may decide to use templates or have them prepared beforehand.

5. Have the participants fill in the letters with ideas, drawings, and other things that interest them personally. Use magazine pictures, glitter, sequins, markers, etc. They might include things they like, words that describe them or even the meaning of their name. You might have some examples of ideas to fill in their letters.

6. If time allows (or if someone finishes early), have students fill in and decorate the posters with things about Abraham and Sarah.

Closing

End in prayer, thanking God for each person present, for names, and for all the ways we are unique and special.

A lesson written and originally posted by St Elmo's Choir, a rotation writing group.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Abraham and Sarah Art Workshop: Dried Apple Sarah Dolls

Summary:

The children will understand the age of Sarah and why she was so old when Isaac was conceived. Make "old lady" puppets using carved, dried apples for faces. Emphasize the story of the three visitors Abraham received at the Tree of Mamre and the fulfillment of God's promise by the births of Ishmael and Isaac and the role that each son plays in our world today.

The author notes: "This has been one of the favorite art projects for our children."

Scripture Reference:

Genesis 18:1-15; 21 (this is too much for the children to read, so much of it can be paraphrased)

Memory Verse:  

God took Abram outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them." Then He said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:5-6 (NLT)

Workshop Objectives

Participants will

• think about God's promises
• understand what God wants from us
• understand that Abraham's and Sarah's child was a miracle from God
• know that the trinity is alluded to at the Tree of Mamre

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture passages and lesson plan.
• Learn the memory verse.
• Prepare a dried apple head for each student for the first week only. (Each week students will carve a head to be dried for the next week's students.)
• Prepare a finished dried apple Sarah doll. There are lots of blogs with instructions online (here is one) as well as the attached pdf from Grandview Library.

Supply List:

• pictures of women of different ages; tape the pictures of women on the board
• picture of newborn male
• food dehydrator (optional)
• lemon juice
• salt
• vegetable peelers, paring knives or table knives
• plastic water bottles for doll body, or use pipe cleaners
• fresh 'golden delicious' apples, one per student
• large craft sticks
• fabric scraps
• tacky glue
• markers
• gray or white yarn

LESSON

Opening:

Greet the children and introduce yourself as well as any new children. Open with prayer.

Explain the purpose of this workshop: "Today we will discuss the three visitors Abraham received at the Tree of Mamre and the fulfillment of God's promise by the births of Ishmael and Isaac and the role that each son plays in our world today."

Before reading the scriptures, use the pictures of various ages of females and ask the children to identify the following:

a daughter
a mother
an aunt
a grandmother
a great-grandmother
a wife
a sister

Have the children vote by raising their hand to identify which picture is most likely to have a newborn baby. Ask a volunteer to tape the baby picture below the selected female's picture.

Scripture/Bible Story:

Read the scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-20. (Encourage the children to use their Bibles to look up the passage.) Talk about how the Muslims are descendants of Ishmael and Jews (and thus Christians) are descended from Isaac.

Make certain the children understand the age of Sarah and why it is a miracle from God that she gave birth to Isaac.

Pass out an apple and vegetable peeler to each child and instruct them to peel their apple. After they are through, instruct them to carve the semblance of a face. Explain that these will be for next week's children because it takes several days to dry the apples. Place the fresh apples in a lemon juice and salt mixture for an hour, then follow the drying instructions of your choice to dry the apples for next week's children.

Give each child a dried apple face, puppet body and large craft stick. Instruct the children to insert the craft stick into the bottom of the face and then glue the puppet body onto the face. Or they can use pipe cleaners to create the body, arms, and legs. Dress the doll with scraps of fabric.

They may use markers to embellish the facial features and yarn for hair. Remember, these puppets are to reflect the age of Sarah when she gave birth to Isaac.

As the children are working, discuss the following:

• What does it mean to keep a promise?
• We want to believe that God will keep His promise but how can we know?
• How can we be patient?

Being patient is what Abraham and Sarah were faced with when God promised them a son.

Sarah desperately wanted a child and couldn’t wait, so she thought of a way in which she and Abraham could become parents. She decided to copy the custom of the people who lived close by in order to solve her problem. She would let Abraham be with her slave-girl, Hagar. Abraham agreed to her plan and soon Hagar was with child. Hagar began to brag about having a child and Sarah couldn’t take it. Sarah was jealous and treated Hagar so poorly that Hagar took her child and ran away.

When Abram was 99 years old, God appeared and once more repeated the promise of land and descendants. As token of this binding covenant, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham (which means father of a multitude). Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah which means princess.

One day, three strangers suddenly appeared. Abraham rushed to welcome them and ordered a feast to be prepared as was the custom of the time. After the visitors sat down and ate, the stranger revealed His identity as the Lord by repeating the promise that Sarah would have a son.

Sarah (who was now 90 years old) laughed out loud at the idea that someone as old as she would have a child. The Lord responded “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Terrified, Sarah said that she didn't laugh at the Lord, but the Lord responded “No, you did laugh.”

Abraham and Sarah did have a son, which they named Isaac, which means "laughter."

The Bible says it wasn’t until Sarah was far too old to conceive that the promise was kept. It is difficult to be patient, especially when we are trusting in a God we can’t see and cannot touch.

Review the memory verse:

Have the children use their puppets to practice the memory verse,

Closing prayer:

Dear God, thank You for honoring us with your covenant with Abraham and thank you for giving us the Bible with instructions for keeping our part of the covenant. Help us to better understand people with different religions. And please help those who are fighting in the Middle East. Amen.

Additional Suggestions:

You will need to decide how best to adjust the lesson for older and younger students. Keep the children active and involved in the activity. For younger children, if you peel the apples in advance (and put them in lemon juice), they should be able to safely carve a face with a table knife.

A lesson written by Cissy Green from: First UMC, Beebe, AK

Abraham and Sarah Sand Art Cross Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activity:

Create cross sand art, a reminder of God's promise that Abraham's descendants would be as numerous as grains of sand and also that one of Abraham's descendants is Jesus (using a kit from Oriental Trading, or other suggested materials).

Leader Preparation:

• Read the story ahead of time.
• Try the art project.
• Gather the materials.

Supplies List:

• Pre-cut cross sticky-boards -- (check Oriental Trading Co. for Sand Art Cross Picture Craft Kit if this link goes dead)
• colored sand (included in kit, or make your own' an internet search will yield a variety of suggestions)
• newspaper or other paper (for easy cleanup)
• Additional suggestions if you don't want to buy kits:
  • Make sand designs on poster board stars using glue.
  • Create pictures with story designs on posterboard
  • Use crushed chalk to color sand. Jell-O is also a source of "colored sand." And it smells good.

LESSON

Welcome and Introduction:

Greet the children and introduce yourself. Open with a prayer.

Main Content

Story Review:

We used a story called "The Promise" from a picture Bible. It's a review of the story of Abraham and Sarah. You can use any children's Bible account that covers the discussion questions below.

Discussion:

• What did God promise Abraham and Sarah? (Land, Many Descendants (through a son), that Abraham would be father of great nation)
• What is a descendant? (The children of someone, or their grandchildren, or great grandchildren or great-great grandchildren, or so forth and so on)
• How did Abraham and Sarah show their faith in God? (They traveled to a new land leaving behind their family and friends because God told them too.)
• Did Sarah doubt God? (She had some doubt (according to Genesis 18 she actually laughed at God) because she thought she was too old to have children, but she wanted to believe that God could do anything.)
• How did God bless Abraham and Sarah for their strong faith? (He gave them a son (as he had promised) even though it seemed impossible because they were too old.)
• What great nation did Abraham become the father of? (Israel)
• Who is Abraham’s most famous descendant? (Jesus)

Because Abraham was so faithful God blessed and honored Abraham and Sarah by having their descendant be the Savior of the world. Their descendant, Jesus, became the salvation of all people by dying on the cross and rising from the grave. Our art project today is a reminder of both God's promise that Abraham's descendants would be as numerous as grains of sand and that one of Abraham's descendants is the Savior

Sand Art Activity:

The sticky boards will have precut crosses on them. The students will peel off a portion of the board and cover with colored sand; they can then lightly tap the board to remove any excess sand from that area. They can then move on to another portion of the board removing another section and putting another color on the board until all areas of the board are covered. There should be a sample available to show the kids what the finished project might look like.

Closing:

End with a prayer:

Heavenly Father, we know that you have a plan for us, help us to hear your will for our lives and give us the faith to follow you when it is the hardest, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

A lesson written by "Sunshinesally" from: Alive in Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MO

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Abraham and Sarah Star Wall Hanging Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Students will create a “star curtain” for use in the drama room as a reminder of the story. (It will be used for the Christmas drama lesson as well as other nighttime stories.) They will create a “Promise Print” to take home with them.

Scripture References:

Genesis 12, 13:14-18, 15, 17-18

Memory Verse:  

Genesis 17:7 “ I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants for generations to come…” (With younger children, use the word “promise” in place of covenant.)

Workshop Objectives — After completing this lesson

• Students will know who Abraham and Sarah were.
• Students will understand the concept of a “covenant.”
• Students will remember the promises God made to them in baptism.

Preparation:

• Read the scripture ahead of time.
• Gather the materials.

Supplies List:

LESSON

Welcome and Introduction

As children come in, have them put on a paint shirt before they sit at the table.
Talk about the woman in the photo. Who is she? Who is the child? How do they think the woman is feeling and why?

Story Presentation

Tell the story of Abraham and Sarah. Sarah was too old to have children, but God made a promise and a miracle happened! The woman in the picture could have been Sarah.

Highlight the promises God made to Abraham in the covenant.

• Make a great nation (later, to make his descendants number like the stars.) and to make his name great
• Land
• Bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him

Talk about how we are all part of that family through God. In Baptism we become part of the family of God, and become one of Abraham’s descendants. (With older children, talk about the promises in baptism. Use the “Lutheran Book of Worship” page 121 as a resource.)

Sing “Father Abraham” together to reinforce the story. (Especially with younger children)

Art Activities:

Star curtain:
Pour some paint onto the plates and use the stamps to put stars on the curtain. (One panel for each group.) Older children may add some swirls with the glow-in-the-dark paint. When the group is finished, carefully hang the curtain from the window curtain rods using a few of the rings for hanging the curtain.

Star art to take home:
Have children trace their hands on construction paper and cut them out. (The younger students will need help.) Have them trace the pattern and cut a star from the yellow paper. (Pre-cut these for the younger students.) On the star write “I am one of Abraham's stars, and so are you.” Have students write their name on their hand cutout and glue it to the opposite side of the star.

Students can decorate the star using glitter, markers, and confetti. Allow for their creativity. As they work, talk about what the star represents in the story of Abraham. If time allows, they can make a second star to give to a family member. Encourage students to share the Bible story with their families at home during the week.

Checking for Understanding

As the children work, talk with them about the promises God makes for us each day. How do we remember those promises. (The baptismal font in worship, when other people are baptized, when we take communion, when we pray…etc.)

End with prayer together after you clean up.

Alternate Idea:

Rather than create a curtain for the classroom, have the kids create a 'nighttime sky' made with glow-in-the-dark paints, stars and symbols that could go home to their bedroom (or hang big in the church hallway). Have them paint on a clear sheet of plastic cut from a clear shower curtain or on a piece of blue fabric. Write the scripture verse with glow-in-the-dark paint to create a "take home" sky.

A lesson written by rotation.org member MMB.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Art Ideas for Abraham and Sarah

This is a consolidation of posts.

Member Barbara in Portland

We made white felt "covenant stoles." Kids put stars (representing "as many descendants as stars...") and other symbols from the story or whatever they wanted. They have worn them in church on special occasions.

Member Sharon Jean

We made stoles like the pastor uses sometimes. They will remind the children that God will faithfully wrap them in his promises as the stoles wrap around their shoulders. For younger children, cut the stoles in advance, out of felt. Have the older kids cut a stole from felt. Use a pattern for the felt. Just make a piece of paper long and narrow with the middle a little smaller than both ends. Pin it down and cut around it.

Using star patterns and pencils or chalk, help kids trace star patterns on felt and fabric scraps. Let them be creative (our kids loved it), by combining textures of fabric and yellow and gold in the material that is selected. Help the kids arrange their stars in a random pattern or in a symmetrical design. Avoid too many stars around the neck area. This will allow for smoother draping. Make tacky fabric glue available and tell the kids to attach their stars to their stoles. Trims, such as gold braid, buttons or sequins, may be added to enhance the stoles.

Ask the students to put on their stoles. Read Hebrews 11:8-12 to them. Remind them of the ways in which God's promises were fulfilled in the lives of Abraham and Sarah and that God is still faithful today.

Member MMB

...referred to her lesson posted above and added...  Something we did as a part of our "open house" to end the rotation was to have the children make doorknob hangers. We bought the pre-made foam hangers at a craft store and the children wrote a memory verse on it and decorated it with stars, crowns, footprints, and hearts to remind them of the promises God made to Abraham. It was wonderful to watch them share this activity with their parents, but they could just as easily do it alone as an art workshop.

Member Cindy Merten

You could do something with sand art either on paper or in jars and attach the scripture about God's promise that Abraham and Sarah's descendants would number more than the grains of sand. You can buy colored sand from Oriental Trading in conveniently sized jars.

Member Maureen Lefebvre

We explored name meanings in the Bible story and the children made a poster of their name with their meanings and decorated it. We put these up on the Sunday School bulletin board.  (Moderator notes: Refer to this lesson above by St. Elmo's Choir, which used this concept.

Abraham and Sarah Blessing Box

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Decorate and learn how to make use of a blessing box. Children will discuss blessings in their lives and how they can bless others.

Scripture Reference:

Genesis 12:1-9; 13:14b-18, 15:1-7, 15:18a, 17:1–9, 17:15–17; 18:1–15; and 21:1-3

Key Verse:

“I will always keep the promise I have made to you and your descendants, because I am your God and their God.” Genesis 17:7 (CEV)

Workshop Objectives —

After completing this Rotation, participants will be able to:

• Name that the story is found in the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis.
• Tell in his/her own words the story of Abraham & Sarah – their call to leave home to travel to a distant land, the promises God made to them, their faith (which sometimes waned while waiting years), and finally the birth of the promised son, Isaac.
• Define a covenant as an agreement or promise with conditions. Identify the covenant God made with Abram (land and many descendants; blessings and to be a blessing to others).
• Describe blessings in their lives. Discover the potential of blessing another person.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture for this lesson.
• Read and reflect on the overview material provided for this lesson.
• Gather the materials. Familiarize yourself with the blessing box materials, and review the instruction sheet (attached) so that you are familiar with what the Blessing box is and how it should be used.
• Write the key Bible verse on the easel.

Supplies List:

• Easel; appropriate maker
• On-My-Own Reader Bible, or a story/picture Bible of your choice
• Plain, undecorated boxes (one for each student)
• Instruction sheets (one for each student -- see attached file below)
• Glue sticks (one for each student)
• Decorating items, including: markers, decorative (scrapbook) paper, scissors, (regular and decorative), Sharpie markers (for 3rd grade and up), sequins, stickers, and other miscellaneous decorative items
• Blank Blessing cards (index cards; 10 for each student)

LESSON

Welcome & Lesson Introduction:

Greet your students warmly, welcoming them to the Art Workshop.

Ask: Can you tell me about how people might get messages to each other? (allow a few answers - i.e., phone, text, e-mail, walk over to their house, etc.)

Say: In the Bible story we are learning about, how a man named Abram [pronounced AY- bram] gets some special messages from God.

Ask: If God wanted to send a message to you, how do you suppose God might do that? (allow a few answers) Perhaps add…Have you ever had a really strong “gut feeling” about something, or maybe you were feeling sad and someone came up to you and said just the right thing to make you feel better?

Say: These are ways that God speaks to us: through other people, through the Bible, or even being out in nature. Today we are going to learn about an important message that God is hoping that we hear. And we’ll talk about a way that can help us to hear this special message. First let’s start with prayer.

Ask: What shall we pray for today?” [Helpful wording: “How would you say that in a prayer?”] A suggested prayer: “Dear God, we thank you for this time together to share words from the Bible, and to learn more about how you speak to us. We thank you for the blessings you give us… [pray for any thankfuls…] We thank you for the chance to learn to be a blessing to other people. In blessing others we offer our prayers for [pray for requests].  Amen.

Bible study & Reflection:

Say: Let’s say that God sends your parents a message that they are going to have to move. You are going to start over someplace new and wonderful, but far away from friends and family. Oh, and by the way, you will live in a tent in this new place.

Ask: What would your reaction be to this news? (accept a few responses)

Do you suppose you’d be able to just pack up and go – without knowing much about the place you were asked to move to?

Say: We are going to hear a Bible story today about a family that received such a message from God. God told them to move a long way from their home. Even though God did not use a phone, we describe this message as being a call – a call to action with a very important message.

Ask: If Jesus learned this story when he was your age, would we find it in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (in the Old Testament)

Say: The word “testament” comes from the Latin word “testamentum,” which means “oath” or “covenant.” A covenant and an oath are promises, so the word testament means a “promise.”

Do: On the easel, connect the word “Testament” with a line drawn to the word “promise” (in the key verse). Then as you say the next words, show the portions of the Bible that are the Old & the New Testament.

Say: The Bible is divided into two testaments – the Old Testament and the New Testament, the old promise and the new promise.

Ask: What is the difference between the two testaments?

Say: The Old Testament is stories that Jesus learned as a child. The Old Testament was the only “Bible” that existed in Jesus’ time. The New Testament was written after Jesus had died and was raised from the dead. The New Testament tells us the story of Jesus’ life and the start of the church after Jesus’ resurrection. Besides being divided into two testaments, the Bible is divided into 66 books.

Ask: Does anyone know which book our Bible story is from?

Say: Our Bible story is found in the book of Genesis. Genesis is the first book of the Bible.

For all students:

Say: Since our story is so long, I’ll use a story Bible to tell you about the family called by God to move away from their home. The main character in our story is an old man named Abram. At the start of our story Abram is 75 years old. His wife Sarai [pronounced sah-RYE] is about 65. They were probably older than your grandparents. (You'll probably have to hear how old some of their grandparents are!)

Do: Read them the story on pages 24-31 in the On-My-Own Reader Bible. Show pictures (if appropriate) as you read the story. In later weeks of the Rotation, ask students to tell you the story.

Say: I am so thankful! I consider myself blessed to have heard our Bible story!

Ask: Have you ever thought of what a blessing it is to be able to hear? What does it mean to be “blessed?” (allow a few responses)

Say: Being blessed means that you’ve received something good. In our story, God promised that he would bless Abram.

For 3rd grade and up:

Say: Let’s look up that part in the Bible.

Do: Have students look at Genesis 12:1. Introduce that this is God speaking to Abram (by looking at first part of 12:1). Then look at the first part of Genesis 12:2. “I will bless you.”

Say: God tells Abram, “I will bless you.”

For all students:

Ask: If being blessed means receiving something good, at this point in our story – where God is first telling Abram his important message – what good thing did Abram receive from God in that message? (answer looking for: a promise)

Do: Refer to the easel connect the word “promise” (in the key verse) with a line to the word: “covenant.”

Say: God gave Abram a promise; a special promise we call a covenant.

Ask: What was the covenant that God made with Abram? [If necessary for grades 3 and up, refer to Genesis 12:1-3.]

Say: When you read all of this story you will see that God repeats this promise over and over. God promised Abram that he would have a huge family – children and grandchildren and great grandchildren; eventually becoming a great nation of people. God said that Abram would have many blessings and that Abram would be a blessing to others.

Ask: What does it mean to be a blessing to others? (allow a few answers)

Say: To receive a blessing means to receive something good, so to give a blessing, or to be a blessing to someone else, means to give good things. Receiving a blessing feels good but giving a blessing – that feels really great doesn’t it? Giving blessings is powerful stuff!

Ask: Remember when I said that I felt blessed to have been able to hear? Do you suppose that there are other little things like that – little blessings that we don’t think much about…like having a loving family and a safe home? Why do you suppose it would be helpful to recognize all of those blessings? Remember when I said that today we would learn about an important message that God is hoping that we hear? Does anyone know what that message is?

Say: That’s right: God loves us! God wants to give us many blessings! Recognizing and remembering blessings we have received, reminds us of how much God loves us. Having a way to remember blessings we have given to others can remind us to continue blessing other people! Today you will create a special, beautifully decorated box to store memories of your blessings, both given and received. We’ll call this a Blessing Box.

Make Blessings Boxes

Do: Pass out a box and an instruction sheet and a glue stick to each student.

Say: This blessing box comes with instructions on how to use it. Glue the instruction sheet on the top inside flap of your box. [Have them do that now.]

Do: Read through the instruction sheet with the younger students. Have the older students take turns reading the instruction sheet aloud. Next, pass out the blank blessings cards (10 cards per student).

Say: These are blessings cards. Whenever you think of a blessing that you have received or have given, write it on one of these cards and put it in your “Family Blessings Box.” Now I’m sure that you are going to soon need more cards! Just use any piece of paper as a blessing card. The other thing that I'd really like for you to do is to write “[your family name] Blessing Box” somewhere on your box. For example, if my name was Joe Smith, I would write “Smith Family Blessing Box.”

Do:  Suggest places they could write this on the box (top cover, sides, etc.)

Say: After you have these two things done, you may decorate the rest of it however you like. [Distribute the materials that are available.]

Discussion: (while the kids are working)

Ask: As we work on our blessing boxes, can someone tell me about a blessing (or a good thing God has done for you) in your life? (allow many answers)

Do: Share a couple of your own blessings. [I shared how I've been writing down my blessings for the last few years and numbering them. I am close to 2,000!]

Ask: Who can tell me an example of how they have been a blessing to someone else? (allow many answers)

Do: Share an example from your life. Then read the line in the instruction sheet: “Blessings are actions that show God’s love. (You can be God’s hands and feet!)”

Ask: What does it mean to be God’s hands and feet? Why do people have to be God’s hands and feet?

Other topics for possible discussion:

Did God’s promises to Abraham come true? (Many descendants! Do a family tree: Isaac → Esau & Jacob→ Joseph et al.; A blessing to others: Jesus is descendant of Abraham.)

Did God’s promises to Abraham come true very quickly? (no! Abraham & Sarah waited 25 years to have their promised son Isaac)

These promises that God made to Abram seemed ridiculous. Why? (because he and his wife were old!)

What should you do if you hear from God and the message sounds ridiculous? (pray about it, ask for guidance, for clarity)

What do you suppose kept Abram/Abraham going for 25 years? (his strong faith! Faith is believing in God when it looks ridiculous)

Do you suppose that Abraham always trusted God without any doubts?

Throughout our story we read of Abram building altars to worship God. Abram built these altars as a reminder of God’s promises. How is the idea of writing down and storing your blessings in a box like building an altar? (it is a way of worshiping God)

We had discussed how “testament” meant “promise” – so that we could say we have the “old promise” and the “new promise.” The old promise is the promises that God made to Abram. What is the new promise? (what Jesus did for us means that we have forgiveness, second chances, and God always with us)

Do you suppose that we can be a blessing to someone, without them knowing it? Discuss the gift of giving blessings anonymously.

Closing:

Do: Remind the students to put the blessing cards inside the box, and close the class by blessing them: “Go out into the world knowing you are special in God’s eyes!” (Or, feel free to use you own favorite blessing!)

If you have extra time:

Have the students use their blessing paper slips to begin to write down their blessings in their own lives. They are welcome to additional Blessings cards if they need them.

Other resources: Visit Carol's blog – where we encourage parents to continue the learning at home. (Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None. Carol does not make any money from her blog. Any ads you see are placed by Wordpress.)

A lesson written by Chris Steinman Nelson and Carol Hulbert from: First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI

Copyright First United Methodist Church, Ann Arbor, MI. Permission to copy materials granted for non-commercial use provided credit is given and all cited references remain with this material.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

We are exploring the story of God's promise of a baby to Abraham and Sarah by making aged portraits of the children.  They will hear the story, reflect on God's faithfulness through all generations and then make framed old-age portraits using an Aged-Photobooth App.  We are using an app called Old Fart Booth; an internet search will turn up a number of face aging apps to choose from.  It is really easy to use and comes with some fun add-ons like hair, hats and glasses.

Students will decorate cardboard frames using stick-on foam mosaic tiles.  While they work, the teacher will take pictures of each child using the app and print them for framing.  A print-out of the memory verse will be attached in a speech bubble to the frame.

Discussion will focus on God's promises for us and how we too can trust in His faithfulness.  We'll end class with a prayer blessing on each student that they may trust in the God and grow in His love & wisdom.

We think this lesson will be full of laughter and learning - just like the story of Abraham and Sarah.

"How Great Thou Art" Collage Workshop: Changing names and the birth of Isaac

Abram and Sarai receive a name change to remind them of their new calling.

View and print the attached PDF of the lesson

You can view the "Names" spreadsheet originally prepared for this lesson. It shows how the teachers did some advance research on their students' names and not only came up with the usual "meaning" of a person's name, but the spiritual/faith connotation. "Champion" for example, could have the spiritual connotation of "stands up for the weak, oppressed."  "Bright" could have the spiritual connotation of "shines the light of God to others."

Summary:

• Scripture: Genesis 17:3-6
• Memory Verse: Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations...

Activities: Students designed a display of "Who They Are" using the statement "I am..." and added the things they are to others and what God is calling them to BE, GO, and DO.

Additional suggestions to expand the attached lesson's art activity:

This image is the sample in the lesson plan. The "I Am" in the center refers to what each of us is... a child of God, a child of our parents, friend, etc.

The displayed art was created using different scrapbook papers overlaid with strips of paper on which "I AM" statements have been written. A cheaper alternative to lots of scrapbook paper would be to use "mod podge" glue to paint pieces of tissue paper onto the page, then glue the white strips on top it.

Sub-divide the sections of the display into different categories of who were are.  One could be "I am a member of my family," and list family members. The second section could be "I am a member of my church," and list some church members you know. The third could be "I am Called By God to BE..." and complete those statements. The fourth section could be "I Am a Child of God" and complete that section with statements like loved, forgiven, empowered, comforted, worshipping, helping others in God's name. etc., etc.

You are welcome to use it in part or entirely. In addition to printing the PDF, you can copy the text from the PDF by dragging it with your mouse and copying/pasting into your own document. You can quickly save the PDF to your computer, then upload the PDF to https://simplypdf.com/ and convert it to a Word doc for easy editing in Word.

See also these Art Workshops that are part of complete lesson sets:

From Creative Carol, FUMC Ann Arbor: God’s Covenant With Abraham And Sarah Sand Art Workshop: Students will examine sand to realize how many descendants God promised Abraham. They will decorate a star shape with their name & colored sand. This lesson emphasizes our connection to Abraham.

From Call and Covenant lesson set from Barb Shackelford:

• A Rally Day Art Activity: learn names, hear a shortened story, make a self-portrait on star-shaped paper for a “Children of Abraham” mural in the hallway.
• Art Workshop: create a diorama of the story of Abraham and Lot parting ways (Gen. 13:5-15).