Week of October 24 - God Made a Covenant with Abraham

Think about all of the choices that we have each day. Just in the morning, we have dozens of different cereals to eat, perhaps that many varieties of milk to pour on top of the cereal, and nearly as many ways to make coffee to go with it. All of these are choices that we often take for granted.

Now think about all of the choices God had as He took a significant step in redemptive history and chose a couple to start a new people from whom the promised Rescuer would come. (Gen. 3:15) We see some of those choices at the tail end of Genesis 11, but we need to remember that God is not confined to choices like we are. He is all-powerful and sovereign; God had an infinite number of choices for this critical couple.

So whom did God choose? A man named Abram and his barren wife Sarai. Now that’s a curious choice, isn’t it? This is the couple whom God would give descendants as numerous as the stars? (Gen. 15:5) From the world’s perspective, this was a curious choice at best—and a laughable choice at worst.
But from God’s perspective, Abram and Sarai were a brilliant choice. First, God made it clear from the inception of this new people that He was the One bringing everything to pass. This family was special because God clearly worked in them to bring forth children. This is what Sarai understood when she said, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne a son for him in his old age” (Gen. 21:7). That the son of promise, Isaac, married a wife, Rebekah—who was also barren—is not a coincidence. (Gen. 25:21) Nor is it a coincidence that Jesus would be born to a virgin. (Luke 1:34) God is the God who makes possible that which is impossible, including rescuing people from sin.

Second, it took a while, but in the end, Abram’s faith in God came to fruition because of his wife’s barrenness. This was his barrier to faith in God. This is what he struggled with for so many years. But in the end, Abram’s greatest struggle became the greatest kindling of his faith. God didn’t just begin a people through barrenness; He began a faithful people through it.

God’s covenant with Abram was certainly amazing. But perhaps His choice of Abram in the first place is even more amazing.
Family Talking points

CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Younger Preschool: God sent Jesus to earth as part of Abraham’s family. Jesus saves people from their sins.
  • Older Preschool: God promised to bless all the people in the world through Abraham. God sent Jesus to earth as part of Abraham’s family. God blesses all the people on earth through Jesus because Jesus saves people from their sins.
  • Kids: God promised to bless all the world through Abraham. God sent Jesus from His home in heaven to be born on earth into Abraham’s family. Through Jesus, all the nations of the earth are blessed because Jesus saves people from their sins.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

  • Younger Preschool: Who makes everything happen? God makes everything happen.
  • Older Preschool: Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything.
  • Kids: Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. Nothing is outside of God’s good plan.

KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

  • Younger Preschool: The Lord is great. — Psalm 135:5
  • Older Preschool: The LORD does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths. — Psalm 135:6
  • Kids: I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths. — Psalm 135:5-6
Family Prayer Time
MORNINGS:
Praise God for His promise to be with you wherever you go. How does knowing God is with you always help you throughout your day?
EVENINGS:
Ask God to help you trust His plan for your life—even when things seem impossible. How does God’s goodness and power bring you peace when the future might be unclear?
Family ACTIVITY IDEAS
FOR FUN:
On a clear night, challenge your kids to count as many stars as they can. When they give up counting, talk about God’s promise to give Abraham as many descendants as the stars in the sky. God’s promise was to make Abraham’s family a blessing to the whole world. Remind your kids that this promise was fulfilled when Jesus—born into the family line of Abraham—came to offer forgiveness and salvation to anyone who believes in Him.
TO SERVE:
Volunteer with a local organization that supports foster and adoptive families. Collect donations, provide meals, or offer to babysit. After serving, read Galatians 3:29. Remind your kids that anyone who believes in Jesus Is adopted as a son or daughter of God and is included in all the promises God has made.

LAST WEEK: People Rebel Against God (Genesis 12–20)
NEXT WEEK: Melchizedek Blessed Abraham (Genesis 14; Hebrews 5; 7)
The Gospel Project is a weekly Bible study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible—God’s plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. Your child can access free Gospel Project learning games and activities in the LifeWay Kids app reader available in the iTunes or Google Play stores.