God Cares for Hagar and Ishmael -...

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Lesson 13 Grades 1 & 2 Fall Quarter

Lesson 13

�Bible Point God always hears us when we pray.

Key Verse“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).

Weaving Faith Into Life Kids will thank God for listening to them and will practice praying for others in need.

LESSON WHAT CHILDREN DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

1

Getting Started

Find the Water (about 15 min.)Experience thirst and try to find hidden water.

1 serving of a salty snack per child, pitcher of water, cups, CD player, antibacterial gel (optional)Teacher Pack: CD

Hide a pitcher of water and some cups.

2

Bible Exploration

Going on a Journey (about 15 min.)Experience a “journey” through the desert as they listen to what happened to Hagar and Ishmael as described in Genesis 21:8-21.

BibleTeacher Pack: “Hagar and Ishmael” poster

Making a Postcard (about 15 min.)Make postcards for God.

My Bible Fun, markers, 1 small sandpaper scrap per child, glue sticks, cotton ballsTeacher Pack:“God Provides” poster (from the Big Bible Poster Pack)

Tear out the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Fun student book.

Bold text within the lesson is spoken text.

S ince first- and second-graders tend to worry, it’s a great comfort to them to know that God always hears them. When they express concerns, ask them if they’ve

talked to God. Reminding them that God always hears them can help kids find solace and strength throughout their lives. Share examples of how talking to God has helped you when you were concerned. Use this lesson to help kids know and believe that God always hears us when we pray.

God Cares for Hagar and Ishmael Genesis 21:8-21

Lesson 13 Grades 1 & 2Fall Quarter

134

LESSON WHAT CHILDREN DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

Seek and Find (about 15 min.)Play a game in which they search for water.

dishpan of water, 2 towels, CD playerTeacher Pack: CD

4

Lasting Impressions

Daily Challenges(about 5 min.)Choose a Daily Challenge to apply God’s Word.

My Bible Fun

Weaving Faith at Home(about 2 min.) Talk about how to share what they learned with their families.

Bold text within the lesson is spoken text.

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BIBLe BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS

Ishmael Mocks Isaac

It was typical in Abraham’s culture to have a celebration when a child was weaned, which was usually when the child was around 2 or 3 years of age. The celebration for Isaac was probably even bigger than most because he was something of a miracle child.

Unfortunately the joyous occasion soon turned bitter. We don’t know if Ishmael’s mocking of Isaac happened on the day of the celebration, but it must have occurred soon afterward. Ishmael had been born to Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, after Sarah had decided to take things into her own hands and had Abraham sleep with Hagar to “build a family” (Genesis 16:2). By the time Isaac was 2, Ishmael was about 16 (Genesis 16:16; 21:5).

Sarah and Hagar had been at odds ever since Hagar was pregnant with Ishmael (Genesis 16:4-10). Abraham’s decision to send Hagar and Ishmael away had probably been a long time in coming.

Abraham Casts Out Hagar and Ishmael

Abraham didn’t want to send Hagar and Ishmael away. He knew it was wrong according to his culture and according to anyone’s standards of fatherhood. When God told Abraham to do what Sarah wanted, God didn’t say it was right. But God did promise to take care of Ishmael, eventually making a great nation of his descendants as well as Isaac’s.

The area where Abraham lived was desert, and the skin of water and the food Abraham gave them was probably as much as they could comfortably carry, but it wouldn’t have lasted very long.

God Responds to Hagar and Ishmael’s Suffering

Remember that Ishmael was at least 16 by this time. If Hagar had to put him under a bush, he must have been terribly weakened by fluid deprivation. He likely wasn’t far from death, as Hagar estimated (Genesis 21:16).

It seems odd that God responded to Ishmael’s cry but sent an angel to speak to Hagar. It may be that Ishmael was simply too weak to even get water for himself. It also is likely that the well had been there all the time but Hagar didn’t see it until God “opened her eyes”—God was actually there taking care of them and providing the water they needed, but they couldn’t see it until they acknowledged their need for God.

The Jesus Connection

Pray about a challenge you’re facing right now. You can cry out to God. Because of Jesus, we can trust that God always hears us. You can write your prayer here.

God Cares for Hagar and Ishmael Genesis 21:8-21


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GETTING STARTED

Find the Water

What You’ll Do Welcome kids warmly as they arrive, and ask them how their week went.

Gather everyone together, and have kids clean their hands.

Play “Rejoice in the Lord Always” (Philippians 4:4) (track 24 on the CD), and distribute a salty snack such as crackers or trail mix generously to the children. As children eat, you’ll want them to start thinking about being thirsty. So have them share stories about times they’ve been to the beach, water parks, lakes, pools, and so on. You could also ask kids what their favorite beverages are.

If the kids start asking for a drink of water, say: Today, as we read the Bible, we’ll journey to the desert with Hagar (HAY-gar) and Ishmael (ISH-may-el). They ran out of water on their journey and had to ask God to provide it so they could survive.

Tell the children that the water is somewhere in the room and that they have to find it. As they search for the water, you might play a game similar to Hot and Cold, saying “You’re still thirsty” when they move away from the water and “Yum, that’s good water” when they move closer to the water.

After kids have found the water, give every child a cup of water.

Talk With Kids Lead children in this discussion.

Ask: n Describe what it’s like to be really thirsty. n Tell about a time you were thirsty and there wasn’t anything to drink. n Explain whether you think God would give you water in a miraculous way if

you needed a drink.

Say: Our Bible Point tells us that GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY. Let’s journey with Hagar and Ishmael, and when they run out of water on their journey, we will learn exactly when God heard them and what he did.

Find the Water Supplies

1 serving of a salty snack per child

pitcher of watercupsCD playerantibacterial gel (optional)

Teacher PackCD: “Rejoice in the Lord Always” (Philippians 4:4) (track 24)

! ALLERGY ALERT

Find the Water Easy Prep

Hide a pitcher of water and some cups.

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2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

Going on a Journey

What You’ll Do Open your Bible to Genesis 21, and show kids the passage. Say: Today we’ll take a journey with Hagar and Ishmael.

Show the children one side of the folded “Hagar and Ishmael” poster—the side that shows Hagar and Ishmael. Explain that a desert is hot and dry during the day because there is almost no water in the desert.

Have the children pretend to pack backpacks and put them on their backs. Let them tell things they might bring on a journey.

Read the Bible paraphrase below. When you mention Hagar and Ishmael’s traveling in the desert, lead the children around the room, carrying the “Hagar and Ishmael” poster with you because you’re journeying with them. Stop and rest in different corners of the room as you tell each part, and then stand and begin “wandering” again.

Say: This is Hagar. She had a son named Ishmael, and his father was Abraham. One fine day, Ishmael and Hagar were at a great feast in celebration of Ishmael’s half-brother, Isaac. It was a grand feast with all the trimmings. There were all kinds of freshly cooked meat and many different varieties of cheeses, as well as every kind of fruit imaginable. Have kids rub their bellies as if they’re hungry for good food.

There were a lot of people there. Abraham had many friends, and he was treating them well. It was an exciting time for the family. God had given Abraham and his wife a baby boy even though they were both very old. Have kids make baby sounds to symbolize the new baby.

Hagar’s son Ishmael was about 16 at the time. He was playing with Isaac when all of a sudden Sarah got angry. She said that Ishmael was making fun of little Isaac. Well, Sarah ordered Hagar and Ishmael to leave Abraham’s tent, and Abraham agreed. This made Hagar really sad. Have kids pretend to wipe tears off their eyes.

Abraham told Hagar that God had told him that Hagar and Ishmael would be okay. Hagar and Ishmael didn’t have any idea where they were going, but Abraham gave them some water and some food and sent them off into the desert. Begin to have kids follow you around the room, as if on a journey.

They wandered for what seemed like forever and then ran out of water. Hagar was terribly worried about Ishmael, but he kept on going. Then Ishmael became weak

Going on a Journey Supplies

Bible Teacher Pack“Hagar and Ishmael” poster


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and sick because he hadn’t had water in such a long time. Hagar thought he was going to die. Have kids pretend to journey with someone leaning up against them, carrying the person along.

Hagar placed Ishmael under a shady bush and went off to cry. All of a sudden, Hagar heard an angel of the Lord call to her. Have kids pretend to jump in surprise.

The angel told Hagar that God had heard Ishmael crying and that God would help them. The angel showed her where water was, and after drinking the water, Ishmael got better. The angel also told them that Ishmael would have a great number of descendants. Hagar was so thankful that God had heard her. Open the poster to reveal the water.

Have kids sit. Close your Bible, and tell kids that’s the end of the passage.

Say: God heard Hagar and Ishmael even though they were so far away from other people. Our Bible Point says that GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY! Just like our Key Verse for today says that, too.

Open your Bible to Luke 11:9, and show the passage to the kids.

Say: All we have to do is ask, and God will hear us! Listen to today’s Key Verse, Luke 11:9: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Lead kids in saying the adapted Key Verse with you: Ask and God will hear you.


Ask: n What stands out to you about what happened to Ishmael and Hagar? n What are some things you pray to God about? n How do you know God hears you?

Say: Just like God heard Hagar and Ishmael when they prayed, GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY. Let’s see how that made things easier for Hagar and Ishmael.

Making a Postcard

What You’ll Do Show kids the “God Provides” poster, and say: When Hagar and Ishmael needed water and cried out to God, God heard them.

Hand out markers and the My Bible Fun pages. Have kids turn to the “Postcard” section on their pages.

Making a Postcard Supplies

My Bible Funmarkers1 small sandpaper scrap per child

glue stickscotton ballsTeacher Pack“God Provides” poster (from the Big Bible Poster Pack)

Making a Postcard Easy Prep

Tear out the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Fun student book.

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Say: God heard Ishmael and helped him. Our Bible Point tells us that GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY, too. Think of a time God heard and helped you. Pause. Now write a thank-you note to God on your postcard. If you don’t want to write, you can draw a picture of a time God helped you.

Set out glue sticks, scraps of sandpaper, and cotton balls. Kids can glue the sandpaper to the picture side of the postcard as desert sand and the cotton balls to the sky as clouds.

When kids have finished writing and gluing, have them form pairs. Let partners explain their postcards to each other. Then invite a few kids to share their work with the rest of the group.


Ask: n Tell about a time you had to be away from your mother or father. n Tell about a time you needed something that you didn’t have. n Tell about a prayer you’ve prayed that you know God’s heard.

Say: Isn’t it great to know that GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY, just like he heard Hagar crying? It’s just like Jesus said in our Key Verse: Ask and God will hear you. Have the children repeat the Key Verse with you.

3 WEAVING FAITH INTO LIFE

Seek and Find

What You’ll Do Find an open area, such as a hallway or gym, where kids can have plenty of room to roam. Set a dishpan of water in the middle of the open area. Place towels under the dishpan in case of splashing. Ask children to each find a partner, and then have each child take off one shoe and sock.

Say: Turn to your partner and decide who is going to be Hagar and who is going to be Ishmael. Hagar is going to lead Ishmael through the “desert” in search of water. I would like all the Ishmaels to close your eyes, and your partners will turn you around three times. Then the Hagars will direct the Ishmaels—whose eyes will remain closed—to the water. When you get there, Ishmaels will know they’ve reached the water because their partners will dunk their feet in it! Ready? Let’s play!

Seek and Find Supplies

dishpan of water2 towelsCD playerTeacher PackCD: “Rejoice in the Lord Always” (Philippians 4:4) (track 24)


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Allow three or four pairs to “seek and find” the water at the same time. While they’re playing, play “Rejoice in the Lord Always” (Philippians 4:4) (track 24 on the CD).

When everyone’s had a chance to find the water, allow children time to dry their feet and put their shoes and socks back on.

Say: Today we journeyed with Hagar and Ishmael as they traveled into the desert. They only had with them what they could carry. Then they ran out of water and had to ask God for help.


Ask: n Describe your experience in this game. n Tell about a time you needed something. What did you do? n How was our experience like or unlike trying to find God’s answers to

prayers? n Do you think God hears you every time you talk to him? Why or why not?

Say: GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY. We can talk to him anytime we want and know he’ll always give us everything we need, just as he took care of Hagar and Ishmael.

4 LASTING IMPRESSIONS

Daily ChallengesSay: Let’s think about how we can pray this week, knowing that GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY.

Have kids find this week’s Daily Challenges in their My Bible Fun pages and choose one to do this week. They can choose one or more of these three options: n End each prayer by thanking God for listening to you. n Tell a friend or parent a time when you knew God was listening to you. n Practice listening to others this week, and then pray for what they talked

about. If God is always listening, we want to listen, too, and help people bring their needs to God in prayer!

Make sure you choose a Daily Challenge as well, and tell kids what you chose. Kids will be more inclined to follow through on their commitments when they see you doing the same.

Daily ChallengesSupplies

My Bible Fun

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Talk With Kids Ask: n What’s a practical way you’re going to do your Daily Challenge? Share a

time, a place, or other ideas. Allow time.

Say: God heard Hagar and Ishmael and he hears us, too. This week, let’s pray to God and wait excitedly to hear from him because we know GOD ALWAYS HEARS US WHEN WE PRAY. He’ll hear us as we follow through on our Daily Challenges this week.

Weaving Faith at HomeEncourage kids to talk with their parents about the Daily Challenges they chose and what they learned about how God always hears our prayers. Kids can also do the activities in the “HomeConnect” section of their My Bible Fun pages with their families.

Talk to your Director about emailing the FREE FamilyConnect to all your church’s families. Available at group.com/digital.

Take a couple of minutes to pray with your kids, thanking God for always hearing our prayers. Let kids pray and thank God for specific prayers he’s answered for them and pray for specific things they need.

For more information, go to group.com or call 800.447.1070 In Canada, 800.403.5598

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