SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 21 March 6, 2005

Covenant Treaty (God's Provision)
Theme: A Journey with Abraham
Theme Verse: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Hebrews 11:8 NIV
Readings: Genesis 21:22-34
Optional: 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Memory Verse: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14)

      Begin with 1 Timothy 2:1-4. God wants his people to pray for all those in authority so that we may live peaceful and godly lives. This is not just for our benefit but because God "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." King Abimelech said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do." Can people see God in our lives? Do we live among unbelievers in such a way that they learn something true about God and in a way that God is honored by our choices? Do we live and pray in such a way that people are drawn to the Lord? "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:11-12)

      We first heard about Abimelech, King of Gerar (a region in the Negev), in Genesis 20 when he took Sarah into his harem because Abraham was afraid and said she was his sister. King Abimelech encountered God in a dream. He has some knowledge of God. The King restored Sarah and paid "damages" (Genesis 20:16) to restore her reputation. Then Abraham prayed for the King, his wives and concubines so they could have children again. The King knows Abraham is a powerful man who serves a powerful God. Now in Genesis 21 the King come to Abraham and brings his general! He wanted help in sizing up the situation. Remember Abraham and his household army defeated the armies of 4 kings who had beaten the 5 kings of the Salt Valley and taken Lot and many others captive. Abraham was a force to be reckoned with. King Abimelech comes to Abraham, confronts him with the fact that he is foreigner, an alien living in Abimelech's kingdom, and they have treated him well. (Note: As Christians we are "aliens". Our citizenship is in heaven, Hebrews 11:13-14) Abimelech wants a solemn oath from Abraham that he will not deal falsely with Abimelech or his descendents, i.e., "Don't pull any more tricks. Can I trust you?"

      It is a very straightforward encounter. In the same way Abraham brings his complaint about a well he had dug which the King's servants had seized. Both were going about making peace in a straightforward way, not being a passive "doormat" or a bully. They were assertive and open but trying to be fair and generous in order to make peace. They were making conscious choices that lead to peace. They did not smooth it over and hold grudges. They did not allow a "root of bitterness to grow". (Hebrews 12:14-15) A word received: You can live in peace with unbelievers. I want you to live in peace. It is a witness to my love for all in the world. Let your love be a witness to those who seek me. God calls us to live in peace with others. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." (Romans 12:18)

Look how Abraham handles the situation.

      Abraham swore an oath to deal fairly and with kindness with Abimelech, giving a generous gift to the King to show that he had dug the well. Abraham pays even though he dug the well because this was a way to make peace. It worked. Abraham stayed in the land "a long time". This is like Romans 12:21,"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Do you have an example of making peace in a bad situation?

      In some ways this is like a typical neighborhood dispute, or a dispute at school or at work, at church or on the bus.

      As a result the place was named Beersheba (meaning either "well of seven" or "well of the oath" (or maybe both). The King and his general return home and Abraham plants a tree, probably like a memorial stone. Then when he sees it he remembers both the treaty and how faithful God was to him to enable them to have peace. He calls on the name of the LORD (I Am). Once again Abraham gives thanks and praise to God, probably in gratitude for the good outcome of this crisis. Psalm 76:11 says, " Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared."

       Prayer: LORD, please help us live out our vows to you; let all your people live out their vows to you. Thank you.

       A word received: You are called to a life of faithfulness: faithfulness in what you say and faithfulness in what you do. Look at Abraham and Abimelech make the choice to live out their vows which they have made before me. They could have been enemies but they have chosen to live out a covenant of peace with each other.

      Are we people who keep our word -- to God and to others?

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 21

Please read the Study Guide first.

      Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.

      Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.

      Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.

Basic points of the lesson for little ones.
      1. God wants ALL people to come to know His love and forgiveness. God wants us to pray for them.
      2. God wants us to live at peace with others, as far as it depends on us.
      3. God wants us, who know Him, to live in peace with others as a witness to God's love and power.
      4. God wants to use us as witnesses to draw those who don't know Him to Himself.