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Full Lesson Flow
Teaching Outline
Work through the lesson in order, with each section building on the last.
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)
- 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.
- 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)
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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.” -
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. -
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.
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:
- Before class, write each word from the first sentence of Genesis 18:14 on separate strips (one word per strip).
- Mix them up and hand them to children.
- Invite the class to work together to place the words in the correct order.
- 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:
- Put “SODOM” on one side of the room and “SAFE” on the other.
- Read (or have a child read) Genesis 19:17 and then Genesis 19:26.
- 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.”
- 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:
- Show both pictures. Invite children to quietly look for details.
- 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).
- On the board, make two columns: “Abraham & Isaac” and “Heavenly Father & Jesus.”
- 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?”
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)
- For reverence and focus, alternate movement and quiet: after the relay, seat children in a circle for the picture discussion.
- 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.