The Present    

The focus of this family time is to use five easy steps to teach our children that Abraham was asked to give up something he really loved — his only son, Isaac. God provided a sacrifice in Isaac’s place. God later provided the ultimate sacrifice, his only Son, Jesus.

Learn the Memory Verse together and say it throughout the week to help your family remember and apply what they have learned.

MEMORY VERSE: 

Introduce the verse: “Abraham believed God’s promises and he loved God more than anything else. The verse about Abraham helps with this story too." Announce the verse: “Remember the verse, Genesis 15:6? — ‘Abraham believed the Lord.’ ”

Abraham believed (Point to forehead with both hands)

the Lord. (Point to the sky with both hands)  

Genesis 15:6

STEP 1. GATHER!

BEFORE YOU GATHER ASK EACH MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY TO BRING THEIR MOST VALUBLE ITEM TO FAMILY WORSHIP NIGHT. (YOU BRING YOUR ROBE OR PJ’S!) 

Say: “Raise your hand if you like giving stuff up.  If I asked you to give up That thing in your hand or your Wii or your favorite stuffed animal or that new toy from Christmas, how many of you would say, “Yes!  I want to!  Please let me give it away….NOW!”
To be honest, I don’t like giving stuff up either.  I like things to be easy, fun, and simple, and I like to be comfortable.  (Put on bathrobe, or hold up pj”s)  I like this kind of life.
Is there a problem with this?  (No, God wants us to rest.) But what if I spent every hour of every day changing channels in my pajamas?  Is there a problem with that?  What would it be?  (God has a purpose and job for each of us and it’s probably not watching the Cartoon Network.)
(Show pictures of the following individuals on your phone:  Athletes, Doctors, Missionaries, and/or other people who have sacrificed – Musicians, Soldiers, Pastors.)
Do you think these people got where they are today watching cartoons every hour of every day?  Or do you think they may have needed to give up something or sacrifice to be successful?

What would an athlete need to give up?  (junk food, free time, their homes – if they have to train elsewhere)

How about a doctor?  (free time, money for education, years of their lives, etc.)

What would missionaries need to give up?  (their homes, cultures, family, freedoms, money, favorite foods, etc.)

“Sometimes we have to give up something for something we love more. Many football players are asked to give up junk food, which they love. Because they love football more than junk food, they are willing to give up junk food. In our story today, Abraham is asked to give up something he loves for something he loves even more. Let’s find out if he’s willing to do it.”

STEP 2. WORSHIP!

Elementary:

Preschool:

• Sing and have fun while worshiping then pray. Take a moment here to thank God for your family and your time together!! 

STEP 3. BIBLE!

The Present

Read aloud pages 62-69 “The Present” from The Jesus Storybook Bible or Watch:

STEP 4. DISCUSSION! 

Use these questions and points to have a conversation with your children about the Bible story. 

• Ask: “Have you ever received a present? Raise your hand. Okay, hands down. In our story today, God asked Abraham to give him a present. 
• What was it? Yes, it was his son Isaac. We read in the story that Abraham liked giving presents to God; for example, Abraham gave God his animals. 
• When someone gives God an animal as a present, what is that called? Correct, it is called a sacrifice. In our story today, God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.
• ” Say: “God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, whom he loved, but then God provided what instead? Yes, a ram. 
• But later, God actually sacrificed someone he loved. Who was it? Yes, God sacrificed his only Son, Jesus.”

Jesus in the Story

STEP 5. Pray!

• Pray aloud, thanking God that he sent his Son, his only Son, to die for us. Pray that you and the children would learn to trust God and to love God more than anything else. 
• Ask the children to thank God for his love and to pray that they would love God more than anything else.