This lesson teaches children that God called Abram to leave home and trust Him, and that God keeps His promises even when we are scared. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, and we can trust Him even when we do not know where we are going.
Memory Verse
Genesis 12:2
I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing.
(WEB)
Stand up tall, then put both hands on your heart. Slowly raise your arms out wide, like a bird opening its wings, while you say the verse together. Do it three times and let the children lead the motion.
The Story: Genesis 12 for Kids
A man named Abram lived in a city called Haran with his wife Sarai and his nephew Lot. One day God spoke to Abram. God said, “Leave your home and go to a land I will show you.” Abram did not know where that land was, but he did not argue. He simply obeyed.
God made Abram a big promise. God said, “I will make you into a great nation, and through you I will bless the whole world.” Abram was seventy-five years old by then, which is quite old. Still, he packed up his family, his animals, and everything they owned, and he set out on the road.
The journey was long, and it was not always easy. When they reached a land called Canaan, a famine came, and there was no food. So Abram moved his family down to Egypt. He was afraid the Egyptians would hurt him, so he told Sarai to say she was his sister. That was not the whole truth, and it caused trouble.
God protected Sarai even though Abram had made a mistake. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, found out the truth. Pharaoh said to Abram, “Why did you not tell me she was your wife?” Then Pharaoh sent Abram and Sarai away safely, with all that they owned.
The story shows that God was still caring for Abram, even when Abram was scared and made a wrong choice. God kept His promise to be with Abram and his family.
Read It Together
Genesis 12:1
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first and Abram listened. Ask the children what God asked Abram to leave behind, and why leaving home would feel hard.
Genesis 12:4
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
(WEB)
Show how Abram did what God said, and Lot went along too. Notice the phrase “as the LORD had told him” and talk about what it means to follow instructions carefully.
Genesis 12:7
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
(WEB)
Point out that God appeared to Abram and gave him a promise about land. Abram responded by building an altar to worship God, so ask children how they can thank God for His promises.
Talk About It
- Why do you think God asked Abram to leave his home and go somewhere new?
- How do you feel when you have to go somewhere you have never been before?
- What did God promise Abram, and how do you think that made him feel?
- Abram was scared and made a mistake in Egypt. What did God do even when Abram got it wrong?
- What is one promise God has made to you that you can trust today?
Activity Ideas
Map of Abram’s Journey
You will need a large sheet of paper, crayons, and a few small stickers or drawn stars. Draw a simple outline of a road from Haran to Canaan to Egypt. Have each child add a sticker or star at the places in the story and draw a little tent or altar along the way. Talk through each stop as you draw.
Follow the Leader Journey
Clear some space in the room and set a few chairs or pillows around as landmarks. Have one child be God and lead the rest of the children to a new spot, while everyone else follows quietly with their eyes closed or with a partner. Afterward, talk about how trusting a leader you cannot see can feel like Abram’s journey.
Promise Bracelet to Take Home
You will need pipe cleaners and a few plastic beads. Let each child thread beads onto a pipe cleaner and twist the ends to make a bracelet. As they work, remind them that God keeps His promises every day. Encourage them to wear the bracelet this week as a reminder to trust God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God calls people by name and gives them a promise that reaches far beyond their own lifetime. Abram’s faith was not perfect, yet God stayed faithful to His word, and the blessing was meant to reach all the families of the earth. Adults can see the call to trust God as a steady thread through the whole Bible.
Avoid overstating to children that Abram never sinned or that every hard decision will turn out well. Be honest that Abram made a mistake in Egypt, and emphasize that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our perfect behavior.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us. Help us to trust You when we do not know what is coming next, just like Abram did. Thank You for being with us wherever we go. Amen.
