Abraham Offers Isaac
Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19
Theme: God provides the sacrifice
Age Group: Nursery (Ages 0-2)
Overview
“God’s Big Love!” “God is always with us, even when we’re scared or far away! He reaches down in love like a ladder to hold our hands. Jesus loves you so much!” (Repeat: “God loves you! God loves you!”)
Bible Story
God’s Big Love Story: Jacob’s Dream
Jacob was traveling far away. He was scared and tired, so he lay down in the dark, under the stars. “God is always with me,” he whispered.
Then, POP!, he saw a bright light! A ladder stood tall in the sky, with angels climbing up and down. “God is in heaven, and he’s watching me!” Jacob thought.
A voice said, “I am God!” The angels smiled and told Jacob, “You belong to me, no matter where you go.”
Jacob woke up so happy. He promised, “God is my friend forever!” And he prayed, “Thank you for loving me!”
Why This Story Matters: God always reaches down to love us, just like Jacob’s ladder! No matter where we are or how scared we feel, God is there to hold our hands. Today, we can say, “Thank you, God!” because you love us so much!
(Simple hug or prayer: “God, thank you for being my friend!”)
Activities
- Lay the ladder on the floor and place stuffed animals or toys at one end.
- Tell the children: “God made a ladder so we could see Him! Let’s walk carefully, one step at a time!”
- Say aloud: “God loves you!” while they step over the “rungs.” Hold up a Bible to say, “God reaches down to us!”
- End with a hug and prayer: “Thank you, God, for loving us so much!”
- “Sticky Love Bugs” Glue Activity
- Babies and toddlers stick googly eyes to paper “bugs” to show God’s love for them.*
- Cut out simple shapes (bugs or faces) for each child or let them draw one together.
- Say: “God made bugs to help us. Let’s stick eyes on them to make them smile!”
- Give each child a googly eye to glue on. Say, “God loves you just like this!”
- Ask them to draw a ladder with crayons and write: “God reaches down to me.” End with a song like “Jesus Loves Me.”
Discussion Questions
- Here are four simple, open-ended questions to help babies and toddlers explore God’s love through Jacob’s Ladder:
- What do you think happens when you reach up to touch something high? (Repeat: “God is so high, but He reaches down to love us!”)
- Jacob saw angels going up and down a ladder, what do you think that ladder is like? (Repeat: “God’s love is like a ladder that helps us know He’s always near!”)
- God said, “I will be with you always”, what do you think that means for you? (Repeat: “God holds your hand like a ladder to keep you safe!”)
- Jacob made a promise: “If God will keep me safe, I’ll worship Him!” What do you think that means to be a little friend of God? (Repeat: “God’s love is a big hug, just for YOU!”)
- These keep it simple, encourage imagination, and reinforce the idea of God reaching down in love.
Prayer Focus
“Dear God, you love us so much! You reach down like a ladder to hold us safe. You hold us close, just like you held Jacob. Thank you for being our friend forever!” (Repeat: “God loves us! God reaches down!”)
Missions Spotlight
Among the Bedouin peoples of the Middle East, who are descendants of Abraham through Ishmael, the story of Jacob resonates deeply. Missionaries working in the Arabian Peninsula use the patriarch stories as a natural entry point for Gospel conversations.
To the Cross
Jacob saw a ladder connecting heaven and earth with angels ascending and descending. Jesus said, ‘You will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man’ (John 1:51). Jesus Himself is the ladder, the connection between God and us.
Teaching Tips
- Utilize Visual Storytelling for Engagement:
- Facilitate Guided Small-Group Discussions:
- Address the Conflict of Obedience vs. Compassion:
- Emphasize the Resolution through Revelation, Not Violence:
Family Take-Home
This Sunday school lesson tells the story of Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels climbing up and down. God promised Jacob that he would protect and guide his family, showing that even when life feels small, God’s love and care are always close by.