SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 19 February 13, 2005

The Birth of Isaac: God Is Faithful
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 21:1-7
Memory Verse: "The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." (Psalm 145:13b)

      The first few verses of Chapter 21 sing with joy. God has fulfilled his long-awaited promise of a son for Sarah and Abraham. Have you ever waited a very long time for something promised? How did you feel when it actually happened? "And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken." (Genesis 21:1) A word received: I Am faithful to my word. A word received: I will always do what I promise. It is my nature. I will always keep my promises. God can't do otherwise because it would violate who He IS. The character of God is to be gracious and to keep his promises.

      "At the set time of which God had spoken" (Genesis 21:2) A word received: The times and seasons are of my choosing. I Am faithful to what I have said. God is faithful -- in the fullness of time. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, "…With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish."

      In the same way, after many centuries, God sent his son, the Messiah, Jesus, whom he had long promised. It happened "in the fullness of time;" God has a time for everything and his timing is perfect.

      This is the result of waiting -- however imperfectly. This is the result of trusting, even if it was faith and trust like a grain of mustard seed. It was also a mountain of waiting. God waited till it was clear it was something only he could do. But Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. This is a lesson about receiving what God has for us God did tell them. God did follow through.

      What promise are you waiting for? What are your doubts?

      Abraham kept his part of the covenant. He circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old. Isaac is the first baby born under this covenant. The covenant promise was to him. Abraham obeys the LORD promptly. Remember the circumcision covenant symbolized circumcision of the heart, a heart surrendered and obedient to God, an undivided heart toward God.

      Paul in Galatians 4:28-31 reminds us that when we are born anew into Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, we too become, like Isaac, children of promise, children of Abraham by adoption (Galatians 4:5-7) and grace, not by right. Calling someone a "son of …" is also a way of describing character -- they are like the father, such as when Jesus called James and John "Sons of Thunder".

      "And Sarah said, 'God has made me laugh and all who hear will laugh with me.' " (Genesis 21:6). A word received: Enter into my joy. Enter into Sarah's joy. Earlier both Abraham and Sarah had laughed -- partly in disbelief (Genesis 17:17 and Genesis 18:12ff), but this time Sarah is bubbling over with joy. "She also said, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.'" A word received: You have been blessed to see Sarah's wonder and joy at Isaac's birth. Join with her and all the saints through the ages who rejoice at my works. When we rejoice with our brothers and sisters in Christ over what he has done in their lives, we give glory and praise to God. God created laughter and joy. He also has a sense of humor. God wants us to have joy and wonder in what he has done and is doing. God rejoices to see Sarah happy and contented. The laughter was healing for Sarah. She was no longer a barren woman, looked down on by others.

      Read the Memory Verse: "The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." (Psalm 145:13b)

      Prayer: Thank you LORD for your faithfulness. Help us to grow in faithfulness as well.

      God is faithful and will do what he says -- so we can trust him. Recalling God's works from the past gives us strength to continue to trust and obey him in the present when times are difficult. See Psalm 77:1, "I cried out to God with my voice -- to God with my voice; and he gave ear to me.", Psalm 77:11 "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.", Psalm 77:14 "You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.", and Psalm 77:19 "Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." God has said over and over to us "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 3:5) and he "cannot lie" (Titus 1:2)

       Exercise: write down five things where you have seen God's power at work in a way that surprised you.

Teaching Ideas for Lesson 19

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 always does what He says He will do.
      2. Because God keeps His promises we can trust Him.
      3. When God fulfills a promise He wants us to celebrate in joy because of his faithfulness.
4. God wants us to remember and celebrate the things He has done for us.