Older Primary Lesson Plan: Genesis 18–23

Week 9 Primary Lesson Plan (Ages 8–10): Genesis 18–23 — “Is Any Thing Too Hard for the Lord?”

Opening Connection (Attention + Simple Object Lesson) Bring a small “promise” gift bag (paper bag stapled shut) with a note on it that says: “A promise—open later.” Ask: “How do you feel when you have to wait for something you really want?” Let a few children answer. Explain simply: Abraham and Sarah waited a long time for something God promised them, and they learned to trust God’s timing.

Hold up the bag again and say: “Today we’ll learn that God keeps His promises—even when it feels impossible.”

Scripture Discovery (Guided, Interactive)

1. Word Hunt in Genesis 18:14

• Tell the children you’re going to build a scripture sentence together.
• Read the first sentence of Genesis 18:14 aloud as a class goal sentence. Then do the activity below to “discover” it word-by-word.

2. Find the Promise Being Fulfilled Invite two confident readers to partner-read these passages while others listen for what God promised and what happened:

• Genesis 17:15–21 (God promises Abraham and Sarah a son)
• Genesis 21:1–7 (the promise is fulfilled) Ask:
• “What did God promise?”
• “Did it happen right away?”
• “What do you learn about trusting God?”

Core Gospel Principles (Builds step-by-step)

1. God keeps His promises in His own time.
   The bundle teaches: “The Lord fulfills His promises in His own time.” (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, Feb 23–Mar 1, “Genesis 18–23”).
   Help children say it simply: “God keeps His promises—even if we have to wait.”

2. God helps us flee wickedness and look forward.
   Read together Genesis 19:17 and Genesis 19:26 (see activity #2). Teach: the Lord warns and helps us leave danger, and we don’t need to “look back” longingly.

3. Obedience and sacrifice can point us to Jesus Christ.
   The bundle teaches about Genesis 22: “it was ‘a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son’ (Jacob 4:5).” (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, Feb 23–Mar 1, “Genesis 18–23”).
   Explain simply: Some scripture stories help us think about Heavenly Father’s love in sending Jesus Christ.

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Interactive Learning Activities (3 different types, connected and progressive)

Activity 1: “Scripture Sentence Scramble” (Hands-On Craft) Materials: Strips of paper (one word per strip), tape or magnets, a board/wall space.
Steps:

1. Before class, write each word from the first sentence of Genesis 18:14 on separate strips (one word per strip).
2. Mix them up and hand them to children.
3. Invite the class to work together to place the words in the correct order.
4. Once assembled, read it together reverently from the wall. Connection to scripture: This centers the lesson on the Lord’s question in Genesis 18:14 about God’s power and promises.
   Discussion questions:

• “What do you think God wanted Abraham and Sarah to remember?”
• “What helps you trust God when something feels hard?”

Activity 2: “Flee Wickedness Relay: ‘Look Not Behind Thee’” (Game + Physical Activity) Materials: Two signs (“SAFE” and “SODOM”), painter’s tape to mark a start line, simple scenario cards (examples below).
Steps:

1. Put “SODOM” on one side of the room and “SAFE” on the other.
2. Read (or have a child read) Genesis 19:17 and then Genesis 19:26.
3. Divide into two teams. One child at a time stands at “SODOM.” You read a scenario card; they decide how to “flee” by moving quickly to “SAFE.”
4. Important rule: Once they start moving, they must keep facing “SAFE” (no turning back). If they turn around, they return and try again. Scenario card ideas (age-appropriate):

• “A friend dares you to say something mean about someone.”
• “Someone wants you to cheat on a game.”
• “A show or video makes your spirit feel yucky.” Connection to scripture: Helps children feel what it means to “escape” and “look not behind” (Genesis 19:17, 26).
  Discussion questions:
• “What are ways the Lord helps us choose the right?”
• “What does it mean to look forward with faith instead of looking back?”

Activity 3: “Picture Compare: Abraham & Isaac and Jesus Christ” (Interactive Discussion + Visuals) Materials: A picture of Abraham and Isaac (if available) and a picture of the Crucifixion (as suggested in the bundle: Gospel Art Book nos. 9, 57). Paper for a simple two-column chart.
Steps:

1. Show both pictures. Invite children to quietly look for details.
2. Read the bundle’s key teaching: Abraham’s sacrifice “was ‘a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son’ (Jacob 4:5).” (Come, Follow Me…, Feb 23–Mar 1).
3. On the board, make two columns: “Abraham & Isaac” and “Heavenly Father & Jesus.”
4. Use the bundle’s examples to fill in:
   • “Isaac was the only begotten son of Abraham and Sarah” (Genesis 22:2; Hebrews 11:17)
   • “Jesus is the Only Begotten of the Father” (John 3:16)
   • “Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God” (John 1:29)
     Connection to scripture: Helps children see how Genesis 22 can point them to the Savior.
     Discussion questions:

• “What do these pictures teach you about Heavenly Father’s love?”
• “How does obeying God help us come closer to Jesus Christ?”

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Life Application Bridge (Home + School + Friends) Invite children to name one “waiting” situation (learning a skill, praying for help, family worries, friendships). Remind them: “The Lord fulfills His promises in His own time.” (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, Feb 23–Mar 1).
Then connect fleeing wickedness to daily choices: when something feels wrong, we can “escape” it (Genesis 19:17) by choosing a better place, a better friend, or asking a parent/leader for help.

Testimony Time (Gentle Sharing) Ask: “From today’s lesson, what is one sentence you believe about God?”
Invite a few children to share. Then share a simple testimony tied directly to the scriptures: that God has power to keep His promises (Genesis 18:14) and that He helps us choose safety and goodness (Genesis 19:17).

Take-Home Challenge (Specific + Connected) Give each child a small paper “promise card.” Invite them to write:

• One thing they will do this week to look forward (not “look back”) when tempted (Genesis 19:17, 26), and
• One time they will practice patient trust in God’s timing (theme: “The Lord fulfills His promises in His own time.” Come, Follow Me…, Feb 23–Mar 1).

Teacher Tips (Practical)

1. For reverence and focus, alternate movement and quiet: after the relay, seat children in a circle for the picture discussion.
2. If some children struggle with reading, assign them key jobs (holding a word strip, placing “SAFE/SODOM” signs, pointing to the correct chart column) so everyone participates meaningfully.