God Calls Abraham

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Theme: God calls us to follow Him in faith, even when we don’t know the way

Age Group: 1st-3rd Grade (Ages 6-8)

Overview

Lesson Overview: God Calls Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9) Introduction (Engage & Connect) Start by asking kids: “Who has a special calling, maybe to play soccer, sing in a choir, or help their family? Today, we’ll learn about a man named Abraham who trusted God even when he didn’t know where to go!” Hold up a map or point to a simple picture of Abraham’s journey. Share that God often asks us to step out in faith, trusting Him with big things. Key Story (Teach the Big Idea) Abraham didn’t know where he was going, just that God said, “Go!”, and he packed up his family, his tools, and his dreams. God promised him land, many children, and even future blessings for all people. The lesson is: God calls us too! Sometimes that means trusting Him with hard things, like moving, starting a new school, or even trying something new, even when it feels scary. Abraham’s story shows us that God keeps His promises, and He’ll guide us every step of the way. Apply to Life (Discuss & Share) Ask: “Where do you feel God is calling you to trust Him?” Simple ways to follow might include: – Choosing kindness over being loud in class. – Asking God for courage to ask a friend to pray with you. – Sharing God’s love when someone hurts. End with a prayer: “Lord, help us trust You like Abraham did. Show us how to take brave steps in Your name!” Closing (Encourage & Reflect) End with a fun challenge: “Abraham’s family had to leave everything behind. What’s one thing you’d not leave God if He asked you to move or try something new?” Praise kids for their brave answers and remind them God’s love is always with them, just like a cozy blanket on a chilly Sunday!

Bible Story

God Calls Abraham

A long time ago, in a place called Canaan, a man named Abram lived with his wife Sarai. One day, God spoke to Abram in a special way, like a gentle voice in his heart. “Leave your home and go to a new land I will show you,” God said. Abram was surprised but trusted God. He packed his family and their few belongings and set out on a journey, obeying what God had asked.

As they traveled, God promised Abram that he would have many children and that his name would be known far and wide. Abram didn’t understand yet, but he trusted God’s word. Along the way, God led them to a place called Shechem, where they built an altar, a small stone table where they prayed and thanked God for guiding them.

Later, Abram moved to a big city called Hebron, where he built another altar. Even though he didn’t see the future, he kept trusting God. His faith grew as he obeyed, and God kept His promise to him. Abram’s journey wasn’t easy, it took courage to leave his home, but he trusted God no matter what.

This story teaches us that trusting God, even when we don’t understand, is important. Just like Abram, we can choose to trust God’s plan for our lives, even if it’s hard. When we do, God is always with us and keeps His promises too!

Why This Story Matters: God calls us too! He wants us to trust Him with our fears, hopes, and future. Just like Abram, we can take small steps of faith every day, asking God to help us trust Him more.

Activities

  1. Write God’s Call: On slips of paper, write short phrases like:
  2. “God says, ‘Go to a new land!’” (Abraham 12:1)
  3. “Trust God, even if it’s scary!”
  4. “God will take care of you!”
  5. Write 2-3 phrases for each child.
  6. Pass the “Call”: Sit in a circle with the slips of paper in bowls. Call out Genesis 12:1, “God called Abraham… and said, ‘Go!’” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT). Each child picks a slip, reads it, and acts it out (e.g., take a dramatic step, pretend to pack a bag, or whisper to a neighbor).
  7. Discuss Trust: After the game, ask:
  8. “How do you think Abraham felt when God asked him to leave everything?”
  9. “What’s one thing God has called you to trust Him with?”
  10. Let kids share (keep it simple for young kids).
  11. End with Prayer: Pray together that God calls each child to trust Him, just like He called Abraham.
  1. Show the Bible Story: Read Genesis 12:1-9 aloud (or have a volunteer read). Point out:
  2. “God told Abraham to leave his home” (v. 1).
  3. “God promised to make him a great nation” (v. 7).
  4. Give the Map Task: Hand out paper and say:
  5. “Let’s draw Abraham’s journey! Start in Ur (where he lived), then draw a path to Canaan (where God promised him a home). Use arrows to show God leading him.”
  6. Demonstrate: If needed, model how to:
  7. Write “Ur” at the start, “Canaan” at the end.
  8. Draw a simple arrow labeled “God’s Promise” (with a star or heart).
  9. Color the land green or blue for the path.
  10. Share & Reflect: After coloring, ask:
  11. “Where do you think Abraham looked to see God’s promise?” (Answer: In the Bible/God’s Word!)
  12. “How can we trust God’s promises today?” Let kids pick a place to put their map (e.g., on the wall or their desk).
  13. Tips for Both Activities:
  14. Keep it interactive! Use gestures or voices for drama.
  15. For younger kids, simplify words (e.g., “scary” “big and new”).
  16. End with a song or prayer to reinforce trust.

Discussion Questions

  1. Here are four open-ended discussion questions for early elementary children (ages 6, 8) about God Calls Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9):
  2. Why do you think God asked Abraham to leave his home? (Encourage students to think about what might have been special about his life before God called him.)
  3. Application: How do you think God might ask you to do something that feels hard or different? What could be special about your home or family that might make you want to stay?
  4. Follow-up: “If you were Abraham, would you have trusted God even if you didn’t know where he was leading you? Why or why not?”
  5. Abraham took only his family and a few things when God told him to go. What do you think that means about how God cares for people, even when they don’t have much? (Discuss what “few things” could have meant, maybe just his wife, son, and a few animals.)
  6. Application: Have you ever felt small or scared, like Abraham did? How do you think God can help you feel safe even when things feel big or unknown?
  7. Follow-up: “If God asked you to leave your comfort zone for a reason, what might that reason be? How could that help you grow?”
  8. When God called Abraham, He promised to take care of him. What are some ways you think God has promised to take care of you too? (Relate this to daily needs like food, family, and safety.)
  9. Application: Think of a time you worried about something small (like losing a toy or asking for help). How did God help you feel cared for?
  10. Follow-up: “If God promises to be with you always, how can that make you brave when you face a new challenge?”
  11. Abraham traveled a long way, and even when he got lost, he kept going. How can you be like Abraham when you feel confused or unsure about something important? (Encourage them to trust in God’s guidance.)
  12. Application: Have you ever made a big decision (like picking a new game or asking to go somewhere)? How did you feel when you didn’t know what to do next?
  13. Follow-up: “If you had to follow God’s direction without a map, what would you do? How could you trust that He knows the way?”
  14. These questions encourage reflection, personal connection, and discussion while keeping the focus on faith, trust, and God’s care.

Prayer Focus

Prayer for Young Hearts (Abraham’s Faith) Dear God, We thank You for calling brave people like Abraham, people who trusted You even when the road was hard. You asked Abraham to leave everything behind and follow You to a new place, just like You ask us to trust You today. Help us to be like Abraham and believe in You, even when things feel uncertain. Teach us to listen to Your voice and follow You, just like He did! Thank You for the promise of a home with You forever. Help us to be kind, patient, and brave, just like Abraham. Let us remember that even when we don’t understand, You are always with us, leading the way. Today, we pray for our families and friends to know how much You love them. Help them to trust You too, just like Abraham did! Amen. Simple Application: – Ask: “Who is someone in the Bible who trusted God, like Abraham? How can we trust God today?” – Practice: Draw a simple map of “God’s path” and ask kids to draw their own steps of trust. – Act: Before the lesson, ask a volunteer to “follow” a simple path in the classroom while the rest of the class waits quietly (like Abraham waiting for God’s call). Praise them for following!

Missions Spotlight

Abraham’s story is central to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Missionaries working among Muslim communities in Central Asia often begin with Abraham, a figure all three faiths honor, to build bridges to the Gospel.

To the Cross

God promised Abraham that ‘all peoples on earth will be blessed through you’ (Genesis 12:3). This blessing is Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham through whom salvation comes to all nations.

Family Take-Home

Here’s a simple summary for families: God calls Abraham to leave his home and trust Him, promising a great future (Genesis 12:1, 9). Despite his doubts, Abraham obeys and learns to follow God’s direction with faith and courage.

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