CHILDREN STS LESSON 14 - GOD TESTS ABRAHAM

Genesis 22:1-24; 23:1-20

Abraham was a friend of God. God called him and he obeyed. Abraham waited for twenty-
five (25) years before the birth of Isaac (laughter). In our text today, Abraham was tested.
He was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac. God tested Abraham, not to lure him into but
to discover the strength and genuineness of his faith. Abraham obeyed God and he was
prepared to sacrifice his only child. God was happy with Abraham’s obedience and blessed
him. Obedience brings blessing, Children are to be obedient to instructions from God, their
parents, teacher and elder. It is painful that Sarah the wife of Abraham eventually died.
Abraham was not happy and he wept _ He then bought a piece of land where she was
buried. This land became Abraham's family burial ground. Everybody will die at time or
the other and so we must be ready at all times to meet God. But while we are still alive, we
must strive to pass all our tests and follow Jesus till the end so that we can get to heaven
at last.
1. GOD'S COMMAND TO ABRAHAM: Genesis 22:1,2
God commanded Abraham to Offer the most important possession he had which was his
only son as sacrifice. No reason was given for this. Meanwhile, God had promised
Abraham that in Isaac shall his seed be called. How then would this come to pass if he
sacrifices his only son? This was a great test indeed. Sometimes, God allows us to face
difficulties to confirm our love and commitment to Him so that He might lift us to greater
heights. Abraham obeyed God. He journeyed for three days to the land of Moriah, the place
of the sacrifice. He had enough time to think and change his mind, but he did not, his
heart was fixed to Obey God. What great love! Such obedience brings great blessings in our
lives.
When God asks you to give Him something, for example your tithes and offering, time and
talent, you must obey. Samuel was an obedient child so also was Paul the apostle. They
obeyed without murmuring. Children should also obey their parents and godly teachers no
matter how difficult the test is, when you obey God, He will bless you greatly.
2. OBEDIENCE OF ABRAHAM AND THE BLESSINGS: Genesis 22:3-24
Abraham took Isaac and went to the place where God told him in Moriah. He obeyed
promptly. Children should obey their parents promptly when they are sent on errands. On
the way to Moriah, Isaac asked Abraham about the Iamb to be used for the sacrifice and to
this Abraham said, 'God will provide. Children should ask questions about what is not
clear to them. Abraham's answer shows great faith in God. We are to believe God to
provide for all our needs. The Bible says, "My God shall supply all your need" (Phil
4:19).
Abraham got ready to sacrifice Isaac on the altar and God stopped him. God provided a
lamb in place of Isaac for the sacrifice. God honoured Abraham faith. As a result Of
Abraham's obedience, God promised him many blessings. God said because thou has done
this thing and has not withheld thy son, thine only son ..."
(i) I will bless you (ii) I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven,
(ii) I will multiply your seed as the sand which is upon the seashore,
(iii) Your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies and
(iv) In your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
God fulfilled all these promises because of Abraham's obedience (Gen 22:16-18). God has
many blessings for obedient children. These include provision, protection, success, healing

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and eternal life. The greatest blessing from God is salvation. Are you saved? This is the
time to obey God’s call to be saved from sin.

3. DEATH AND BURIAL OF SARAH: Genesis 23:1-20

Sarah died in Hebron at 127 years of age. The Bible says "It is appointed unto man once
to die and after this the judgment" (Heb 9:27)'
Abraham was not happy about Sarah's death. He mourned and wept; it was a serious time
of trial for Abraham but God's word comforted him. Abraham started to plan for his wife's
burial. He had no land to bury Sarah so he bought a piece of land from the children of
Heth where he buried Sarah. The place where Sarah was buried became the family burial
ground where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Leah and Joseph were also buried. When in sorrow,
children should go to God in prayers and He will comfort them. Abraham had a good
relationship with his neighbours. Children are to be well-behaved. Bad behaviours like
fighting, stealing, abusing and keeping of bad friends are not expected from godly children.
We shall all die at God's appointed time. The important thing is that we should be born-
again and continue to live a holy life so that when we leave this world, we will go and live
in heaven with Jesus and not in hell fire with the devil. Are you born again? Give your life
to Jesus today.

QUESTIONS:
1. Who tested Abraham?
2. What did God ask Abraham to do?
3. Mention two lessons that you have learnt from Isaac’s reaction to the test.
4. Mention some of the promises that God passed to Isaac through Abraham's obedience.
5. How can children receive God's blessings today?
MEMORY VERSE: "And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham,
and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, take now thy
son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and
offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I tell thee or (Genesis
22: 1 ,2).
LESSON: God expects obedience from children when tested.
THOUGHT: 1 will always obey God
ACTIVITY: Teachers should lead the children in prayer that God will give them the grace
to overcome during trials.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 6- YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION
CHORUSES: I will never let the devil win the battle. (2) Father Abraham has many sons.
(3) Abraham's blessings are mine.
HOMEWORK: Children should write out names of people, two from Old Testament and
two from New Testament that were tested, where they were tested, type of test and how
they overcame.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH:
Find the meaning of these words, you can use your dictionary:
1. Sacrifice 2. Command 3. Commitment 4. Possess 5. Seashore.

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