Scripture: Genesis 15-17
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of Abraham and God’s promises to him.
- Students will learn God makes promises to us also.
- Students will learn that unlike some people, God always keeps His promises.
- Students will participate in an activity to practice future tense words used in promises.
Guiding Question: How is the future tense of a verb used properly when making promises?
Materials: none necessary, although poster board and markers could add to the “campaign”
Procedure: Review the story of Abraham and God’s promises to him. Ask students what promises God makes to us today? Remind them that although people often break promises to each other, God never breaks His promises. Ask students what types of promises people make. Have them give a few examples. Have students notice that promises almost always use a future tense form of the verb because promises are something that will be fulfilled in the future.
Have students divide into pairs. Each pair consists of a candidate for a political office and his/her campaign manager. Have the pairs write a series of promises they want to make in their campaign. Each candidate must then give a one minute campaign speech. Have students check for proper conjugation of verbs, subject verb/agreement and other grammatical issues as they speeches are given.
Additional Questions:
- What promises are made in advertisements?
Supplemental Activity: Have more advanced students review magazine ads. What promises are made in these ads? What verbs are used? Are all of the promises written out in the ad or are some of them implied? Which types of ads make the most promises? Have students share their results.