God Provided a ‘Lamb’ to Save Us
Help children appreciate the Lord’s Supper.
Choose any of these children's learning activities.
Older child or teacher: Read or tell by memory the story of Abraham and Isaac, from Genesis 22:1-18.
This story tells how God provided a lamb to save a young boy’s life.
If convenient, let the children colour this picture
After telling the story, ask these questions:
· How did God test Abraham’s faith? [Answer, see verse 2]
· How well did Abraham obey God? [3]
· What question did Isaac ask while they travelled? [7]
· What did Abraham answer Isaac? [8]
· How did God stop Abraham from killing Isaac? [11]
· What did God provide for the sacrifice? [13]
·
What blessing did God give
Abraham as a reward for his obedience? [16-18]
Explain: In the Lord’s Supper we participate in the body and blood of the Lamb of God, who died in our place like the sheep died in the place of Isaac.
Dramatize parts of the story of Abraham and Isaac, from Genesis 22:1-18. Arrange with the leader of the congregation for the children to present the drama also to the adults during the worship time. Arrange also for the children to present the poem (below) and show the pictures that they have prepared.
· Let older children or adults play the parts of 1) Narrator, 2) Angel and 3) Abraham who has a knife and rope (or pretends to use them).
· Let younger children play the parts of:
Isaac.
Lamb. Walks on hands and knees.
Servants (have an armload of sticks).
Narrator: Tell the first part of the story from verses 1-6. Say, “Hear what God said to Abraham.”
Angel: “The Almighty commands you to sacrifice your son on Mount Moriah.”
Abraham: Look up and
say, “Yes, Lord.”
Say to Servants, “Servants, bring Isaac. Also bring firewood and a
knife.”
Servants: Leave and come back with Isaac and sticks and knife (or pretend to). Hand them to Abraham.
Abraham: Put the
sticks on Isaac’s back (or pretend to) and pick up the knife.
Walk with Isaac following you.
Narrator: Tell the
second part of the story from verses 7-10.
Say, “Hear what Isaac says.”
Isaac: “Father, where is the lamb for the sacrifice?”
Abraham: “God will provide the lamb.”
Isaac: Lie down on a table or chair (the altar).
Abraham: Tie Isaac with the rope (or pretend to). Hold the knife high.
Angel: “Stop!” Do not kill him. I know that you fear God since you did not withhold your son from Him.”
Narrator: Tell the third part of the story from verses 11-18.
Lamb: Bleat loudly, on the other side of the room.
Isaac: “Look, father! A ram is caught in the bushes. God provided a sacrifice for us.”
Abraham: Untie Isaac and say, “Get the lamb. Lead it to the altar. Tie it up.”
Angel: “Abraham, hear God’s eternal promise. He will bless you for obeying. You will have many descendents. Through one of them He will bless all nations.”
Narrator: Thank everyone who helped with the drama.
Draw a picture of a lamb.
· Let the children show their pictures to the adults at the next worship time and explain that it illustrates how Jesus became the lamb of God for us, to take away our sins.
· Let the older children help the younger.
Ask the children how God’s promise to Abraham came true in Jesus Christ for us today.
Memorize Romans 6:23.
Poem: Let four children each recite verses from Psalm 27, verses 1, 2, 13 & 14.
The Lord is my
light and my salvation, whom will I
fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I ask
of the Lord, this is what I
seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
I am still
confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the
Lord;
be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Let older children write a poem or song about God providing a Lamb to save us. They might do this during the week.
Prayer: “Loving Father, thank you for providing your son, the Lamb of God, to die for us. His sacrifice is great enough for you to forgive us all of our sins. Help us to remember this when we eat the Lord’s Supper. Help us to obey you like Abraham did.”