Understanding Trust and Sacrifice: The Story of Abraham and Isaac, Study notes of Art

Download Understanding Trust and Sacrifice: The Story of Abraham and Isaac and more Study notes Art in PDF only on Docsity! Abraham and Isaac Purpose To help the children understand that we should trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ completely. Preparation 1. Prayerfully study: • Genesis 18:1–16—Abraham entertains three holy men, who promise that Sarah will have a son. • Genesis 21:1–8—Isaac is born to Sarah and Abraham. • Genesis 22:1–14—Abraham is commanded to sacrifice Isaac, but Isaac’s life is spared. • Genesis 22:15–19—Abraham is promised great blessings. 2. Additional reading: Jacob 4:5—Abraham’s offering of Isaac was in similitude of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 3. Study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account (see “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scrip- tures,” p. vii). Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will best help the children achieve the purpose of the lesson. 4. Materials needed: a. A Bible for each child. b. A Book of Mormon and a Pearl of Great Price. c. Pictures 6-11, Abraham Taking Isaac to Be Sacrificed (Gospel Art Picture Kit 105; 62054); 6-12, The Crossing of the Red Sea (62100); 6-13, Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Gospel Art Picture Kit 117; 62096); and 6-14, Three Men in the Fiery Furnace (Gospel Art Picture Kit 116; 62093). Suggested Lesson Development Invite a child to give the opening prayer. Attention Activity Write on the chalkboard: Is anything too hard for the Lord? Invite the children to discuss this question. • How hard do you think it would have been for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to create our beautiful world and everything in it? • Do you think they could move a mountain or change the direction of a river if they wanted to? Show the pictures The Crossing of the Red Sea, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, and Three Men in the Fiery Furnace. Briefly explain that the Lord parted the waters of the Red Sea to let Moses and the Israelites escape from the Egyptian army, he protected Daniel from a den of lions, and he kept three young men from being burned when they were cast into a fiery furnace. (Note: Do not teach these stories in detail. Tell the children that they will learn more about these 43 Lesson 11 44 stories later in the year.) Point out that these people trusted in the Lord and had faith that his will would be done. Their faith was rewarded with miracles. Refer again to the question on the chalkboard, and tell the children they are going to learn about a time when Abraham and Sarah were asked this question. Scripture Account Teach the children the account of the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah from Genesis 18:1–16 and 21:1–8. Help the children understand that Isaac’s birth was a miracle because Sarah was too old to have a baby. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights. • How did Abraham treat the three holy men who visited him? (Genesis 18:3–8.) What did these men tell Abraham? (Genesis 18:10.) Why did Sarah laugh when she heard what they said? (Genesis 18:11–12; laugh in these verses probably means to rejoice.) • What important lesson did the Lord teach Abraham? (Genesis 18:14.) What can we learn from this? (Anything is possible if it is the Lord’s will.) • What did Abraham and Sarah name their son? (Genesis 21:3.) How old were Abraham and Sarah when Isaac was born? (Genesis 17:17.) How do you think Abraham and Sarah felt when they finally had a baby after so many years? (Genesis 21:6; see the footnote to Genesis 21:6 in the LDS edition of the Bible.) • How did Abraham and Sarah learn to have greater trust in the Lord through this experience? How can we develop more trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? How can we show our trust in them? (See enrichment activities 3 and 4.) Scripture Account Teach the children the account of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac from Genesis 22:1–14. Display the picture Abraham Taking Isaac to Be Sacrificed at an appropriate time. • What did God command Abraham to do? (Genesis 22:2.) Why did God ask Abraham to do such a difficult thing? (Genesis 22:1; see the footnote to Genesis 22:1 in the LDS edition of the Bible. Tempt in this case means to test or prove.) • What did Abraham do when God told him to take his son to Moriah to sacrifice him? (Genesis 22:3.) Why would it have been difficult for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? (Genesis 17:19.) Remind the children that Abraham was nearly sacrificed himself, and he knew human sacrifice was wrong (see lesson 9 and Abraham 1:7–8, 15). Why do you think Abraham quickly obeyed? How does this show that Abraham trusted Heavenly Father? • How do you think Abraham felt when Isaac asked him where the lamb was for the sacrifice? (Genesis 22:7–8.) • Why did the Lord send an angel to stop Abraham from killing his son? (Genesis 22:12.) How do you think Abraham felt then? • What blessings did the Lord promise Abraham because of his faithfulness? (Genesis 22:16–18.) Explain that seed refers to descendants or children. All those who have been baptized become the “seed” of Abraham. Discussion and Application Questions Discussion and Application Questions