Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of Abraham almost sacrificing Isaac.
- Students will learn that it is important to follow God’s plan even when it doesn’t always make sense.
- Students will learn why alters and sacrifices were used in the Old Testament.
- Students will learn how Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac foreshadowed Jesus’ death on the cross.
Guiding Question: Why does God want us to trust His plans even when we can’t understand them?
Materials: Large stones (for altar), several sticks of wood, “torch”, pile of small stones
Procedure: Lead the students over to the altar where they will watch a play. After the play, tell the students that Abraham and Isaac are going to the woods to get the ram that God provided for the sacrifice. God blessed Abraham because he was obedient even when it was difficult. Explain the term “foreshadowing” and how the ram sacrifice in place of Isaac foreshadows Jesus on the cross dying in place of us. Describe how altars were used during the Old Testament times and why sacrifices were needed.
Tell the students that sometimes God will want us to do something that may not always make sense at the beginning, but that sometimes like Abraham, everything will make more sense once we begin to obey God and follow the path he was given us. Have the students go up to the altar that was part of the play to examine the stones and feel how heavy they are. Let the students make smaller replica altars with the smaller stones.
Additional Questions: How can students understand the sacrifice Jesus made for our lives?
Supplemental Activity: Give the students scenario cards where they have to decide between two things to give up for a certain amount of time. Have the students explain why they made their choice and why it might be difficult to do. Explain that Jesus’ sacrifice was difficult but He did it because He knew it would be best in the long run so we could be with him.