A New Name... and a Son, Who isn't the One

We spent the past two weeks on one lesson divided into two parts: God makes a covenant with Abram and gives him a new name; and Ishmael, although, not the promised son is still the seed of Abraham. We emphasized the truth that God is everywhere all the time and is supreme over all, working all things out for His purpose.

October 28: Our whole church was praying for our beloved Kristin and the children were no exception. We made cards for her, with some of the verses that they have memorized. I told the children that one of the reasons to memorize Scripture is so that when someone is suffering you can give them God's Words as a gift to help them. That is what we did for Kristin. (I took them over to the hospital and gave them to Kristin's Dad, and he was very touched by them.)

Our story was about God's promise to Abram, to give him land, many descendants and to bless the world through him (we know now that meant the savior would come through his line.) Such a promise seemed impossible, when he had no children and Sarai was so old, but He trusted that God would do it and God counted it as righteousness. Faith pleases God. To remind Abram that He was faithful, God changed his name to Abraham, "father of many."

We answered questions with "name tags" on them, and the children each chose a question with their name on it, then peeled off the tag and wore it.

We prayed for Kristin and the prayer time was very very sweet, emphasizing the truths that we are learning: God knows everything and He is everywhere and He is in control and He only does what is ultimately best. Faith in His promises pleases Him.


November 4: Again we opened our class by making cards for Kristin, this time gluing paper tissue paper onto the front in pretty patterns. We used longer verses this time and talked about Kristin as we worked. Melanie remembered so clearly the fun she had at Kristin's shower. Jacob said they have been praying for her.

In telling the story of Hagar, we emphasized that although Ishmael was not the child of promise, God had a plan for Ishmael too. Sarah and Abraham had thought that maybe the way that God would give them a child would be by having Abraham marry Sarah's servant and have a child through her. Now this was not God's way! But He is gracious, and He promised to multiply Ismael's descendants too because he was the seed of Abraham. I told this story in the first person, with a veil over my head pretending to be Hagar. I emphasized that God is merciful and loving and had compassion on Hagar. And again, God is sovereign over all -- Ishmael was not to be the child through whom the savior would come, but God had a plan for Ishmael.

We had a longer prayer time for Kristin this second week, and the children were more attuned to it. I think that all of us are learning so much through this time of trial and thanksgiving in our church. Everyone seems even more precious to me after this past two weeks. And God's sovereignty has been the greatest comfort.