Do you think it’s possible to be completely trustworthy 100% of the time? No way. We all have a voice inside us (our sinful nature) telling us that our way is better or that we need to try to make things work out our way. Abram and Sarai had the same voice. Even when God had promised them an abundance of blessings, they were quick to second guess and take matters into our own hands. This sounds crazy! …until we realize that we do the same thing today. Even though we’re promised that God’s way is best, we are tempted to take matters into our own hands. Thankfully, both for Abram and Sarai and for us today, God is trustworthy even when we are not.
TRUSTWORTHY: Being dependable without a doubt
MEMORY VERSE: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise." Hebrews 10:23
This Week’s Finish Line: God is trustworthy even when we are not
Genesis 12 records God’s three promises to Abram that make up the “Abrahamic Covenant:" the promises of land, a big family, and blessing. Time passed and Abram and Sarai went to Egypt because there was no food where they were living in Canaan. Abram was afraid the Egyptians would kill him and take Sarai from him because she was so beautiful. Instead of trusting God’s promises, Abram and Sarai came up with a plan to lie to Pharaoh. They were not trustworthy. God sent "terrible plagues on Pharaoh and his household" and Abram and Sarai got kicked out of Egypt. Was another consequence God deciding to break His promise to Abram and not give him a big family anymore? No! God is trustworthy even when we are not. God still used Abram to start the family that became Israel. Remember God's promise that "All the families on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3)? Well, we are... through Jesus who came from Abram’s family! God is trustworthy and always keeps His promises.
Family Questions:
READ GENESIS 27:8-17
- Look at verses 2-3, 7. What promises did God make to Abram? (God promised to make Abram into a great nation, to bless the world thru him, and give special land to his family.) What have you learned so far this month about God and His promises? (God’s Word is always true and He will always keep His promises, no matter what!)
READ GENESIS 12:10-20
- How were Abram and Sarai untrustworthy? (They decided to tell the Egyptians she was his sister so they wouldn’t kill him.)
- Look at verses 17 & 20. What were the consequences for Abram and Sarai’s untrustworthiness? (God sent plagues on the Egyptians until they realized they had been lied to. Then they kicked Abram and Sarai out of the country.)
- Do you think God would have protected Abram and Sarai if they had not lied? Why? (Yes, because He had made a promise to them and God always keeps His promises!)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Review the story of Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12. One of God’s promises to Abram was that his family would bless all nations. As a family, talk about how is Jesus the answer to this promise. (Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and salvation is offered to ALL people of ALL nations. When He died on the cross and rose to life again, His blood paid for the sins of ANYONE who will believe in Him. No matter who you are, you can accept this amazing gift!) How can your family be a blessing to others this week? (Offer a ride to a friend, invite someone to come to church on Easter, take a meal to a family, etc.)
Friend: Drive Time
Practice the memory verse stop-and-go style! When you are about 100 feet from a stoplight or stop sign, start saying the verse as fast as you can. The goal is to get through the entire verse before you have to stop at the light or the sign. If you don’t make it in time, pause when you reach the light/sign and then pick it back up when you start driving again.
Counselor: Bedtime
Thank God for being faithful even in our failures. Thank Him for sending Christ to take the punishment you rightly deserve and for forgiving us when we ask. Pray for God to give you chances to tell of His trustworthiness this Easter.
Coach: Anytime
As a family, read (and/or act out!) the story of Palm Sunday in Matthew 21:1-11. Make your own palm leaves out of paper or go on a hunt for some in your back yard or neighborhood park. For more information about Holy Week click here. Pinterest also has lots of Holy Week activity ideas to do as a family. Just be careful to not get overwhelmed, and feel the freedom to modify anything to fit your family!
Prayer
Lord, thank you so much for sending your son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins so that I will live in Heaven with you one day!
Looking Ahead
Next week, we will jump into the month of April with Easter and our character trait, PATIENCE. We will be talking about how god is trustworthy even when we are not.
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