Lesson 8 – Abraham and Isaac
God provided a ram as a sacrifice for Abraham and Isaac. He provides the perfect sacrifice for our sin, His Son, Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
This lesson will use the Bible and the Lesson 8 Leaflet from the Student Pack. The front cover shows how the artist sees Abraham with Isaac. Also colored pencils or crayons will be needed.
Sing along or read the words of the hymn "God's Own Child, I Gladly Say it".
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing us together again today to worship You, to hear Your Word, and to see You in Your Sacraments. We ask You to be with us as we study Your Word; send Your Holy Spirit to increase our faith. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
This lesson is about a time when God asked Abraham to follow His directions without knowing what might happen.
God Speaks
Read the Faith Words section on the back page of the leaflet. Those words will be used in the lesson.
We have been reading and studying a number of Bible stories about one of God's saints, Abraham. God has promised a son to be born to Abraham and his wife, Sarah. Although Sarah doubted God, He fulfilled His plan of salvation.
Read Genesis 21:1-7
What name did Abraham give his son? Isaac
How old was Abraham when Isaac was born? One hundred years old
Read Genesis 22:1-19
Why did God test Abraham? God wanted Abraham to be sure that nothing, not even the love of his own child, was more important to him than loving God. Although the Ten Commandments had not yet been given, God, in the First Commandment, commands us to have no other gods before Him.
What was the test? God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering.
Which of our Faith Words means "the offering demanded and provided for by God in payment for sin"? Sacrifice
Why would this sacrifice have been especially difficult for Abraham? Isaac was the son promised to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. God promised that Abraham would have many descendants through lsaac.
What might Abraham have been tempted to do? Abraham might have been tempted not to go to Moriah, to take another offering, or to leave lsaac at home.
Are we ever tempted to do things contrary to God’s will? We too, are tempted; even Jesus was tempted in the flesh. God gives us the faith to trust Him when we are tempted to disobey Him.
How did Abraham answer lsaacs question about the lamb for the sacrifice? God would provide the lamb.)
Who stopped Abraham from actually sacrificing Isaac? The Angel of the Lord. The Angel said, “You have not withheld your son from Me"
How did Abraham respond when he saw the ram caught in the thicket? He worshiped by sacrificing the ram.
How do you think Abraham and Isaac felt after the entire experience? Relieved. Look at the picture on the front of the Lesson Leaflet to contemplate the emotions of father and son.
What was God's renewed promise to Abraham? Abraham would have too many descendants to count and they would be strong. All nations on earth would be blessed because of Abraham's obedience to God.
We Live
Which Faith Word means "satisfaction or payment required by the Law on account of our sin"? atone/atonement
Read the section that’s starts with Old Testament at the top of page 2 in the leaflet.
To be saved under the Law required that God's people keep His commandments perfectly. Since no one can keep the Law perfectly, God required Old Testament believers to offer sacrifices to atone for their sins. Scripture outlined details of the sacrifices God required. The sacrifice in this account is a blood sacrifice, which indicated a complete commitment to God. Such sacrifices foreshadowed the once-for-all sacrifice that Jesus would make on humankind's behalf on the cross.
Read the section that’s starts with New Testament at the top of page 2 in the leaflet.
Which Faith Word means "to declare free from blame"? justify
Which one means "something one holds to be true or real”? belief
In contrast to the Law, under the Gospel and through God's grace, He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to justify us, that is, to keep the Law perfectly and to die for the sins of mankind. Jesus was the perfect, final sacrifice to atone for sins. We sin when we think there is anything we can do for ourselves to remove or pay for our sins instead of what Christ has done for us. Through faith in Christ, our belief that Jesus died for us, we have forgiveness of our sins and eternal salvation.
What are some things people think they can do to please God and pay for their sins? Do good works. Religions that require a person to do something for God in order to receive
His blessings are based on a false belief.
Read the word to the hymn The Lamb on the center of page 2 in the leaflet.
On the bottom of page 2 and top of page 3 in the leaflet, look up the Bible verses and fill in the blanks.
- Stanza 1-God, Lamb
- Stanza 2- Lamb, God, sins;
- Stanza 3-redeems
- Stanza 4-sin, righteousness
- Stanza 5-Thanks, disciples
- Refrain-Worthy, Lamb
On page 3 of the leaflet under God’s Promises to Me, follow the directions.
1. When I don't trust God, it's no big deal. God doesn't really care. What is wrong with this statement? God wants me to believe and trust in Him.
2. Faith is trusting in God's promises. True
3. I do not trust God, but He gives me faith to trust Him. True
4. In my sin, I doubt God's promises. True
5. I will go to heaven because of the good works I do. What is wrong with saying that I will go to heaven because of the good works I do? Because l am sinful, the good works I do are unacceptable in God's sight: "all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment" [Isaiah 64:6https://youtu.be/GYFBvGmauVI">God's Own Child, I Gladly Say it" as you color the picture at the end of the lesson.
Read through the sections on the last page of the leaflet.
Prayer: We thank You, heavenly Father, for loving us and guiding us through each day. Forgive us when our faith is weak. Give us faith like Abraham's that we may follow Your will without being afraid. Thank You for providing Your Son as the sacrifice for our sins. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
