In this lesson, children learn that God keeps His promises even when life feels uncertain, and that He blessed Isaac and stayed with him through famine, arguments and a long wait. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises, and He is with us every day, even when things are hard.
Memory Verse
Genesis 26:3
Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.
(WEB)
Stand up tall with your arms stretched out wide, like a big promise. Then bring your hands together in front of your heart and say the verse with a smile. Do this three times together, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Genesis 26 for Kids
A long time ago, there was a famine, which means the rain did not come and there was not enough food. Isaac, the son of Abraham, went to a town called Gerar, where King Abimelech lived. Isaac was worried about the hunger, so he thought about going down to Egypt for help.
But God spoke to Isaac and said, “Do not go to Egypt. Stay in this land, and I will be with you and bless you.” God reminded Isaac of the promise He had made to his father Abraham. God said that Isaac’s family would be as many as the stars in the sky.
Isaac stayed in Gerar and planted seeds in the ground. That year, he gathered a hundred times more grain than he planted! God was blessing him, and Isaac grew richer and richer, with many sheep, cows and servants. Some of the people around him became jealous and filled his father’s old wells with dirt.
Isaac did not get angry. He dug the wells again and gave them the same names his father had used. When his servants found a fresh well, the herders of Gerar said, “The water is ours!” Isaac moved on and dug another well, and then another, until he found one where no one argued. He said, “Now the LORD has made room for us.”
That night, God appeared to Isaac again and said, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” Isaac built an altar to worship God, and his servants dug a new well there. Later, King Abimelech came to make a peace promise with Isaac, and Isaac shared a meal with them. God had kept His word all along.
Read It Together
Genesis 26:2-3
2 The LORD appeared to him, and said, “Don’t go down into Egypt. Live in the land I will tell you about. 3 Live in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you. For I will give to you, and to your offspring, all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.
(WEB)
Point out that God told Isaac where to live and promised to be with him. Ask the children to notice that God gave a clear direction before He gave the blessing. Remind them that God’s plans are always good for His people.
Genesis 26:22
He left that place, and dug another well. They didn’t argue over that one. He called it Rehoboth. He said, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”
(WEB)
Show the children that Isaac chose peace over fighting and kept moving until he found room. Point out that he gave thanks to God for making room for him. Explain that God can make a way even when people push us out.
Genesis 26:24
The LORD appeared to him the same night, and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you, and will bless you, and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”
(WEB)
Read the words where God says, “Do not be afraid.” Explain that God comforted Isaac in the night, reminding him that God was close. Ask the children to share a time when they felt brave because they knew God was with them.
Talk About It
- What did Isaac do when he was hungry and worried about the famine?
- How did God show Isaac that He was keeping His promise?
- Why do you think Isaac chose to move away instead of arguing with the herders?
- What did Isaac do to thank God after God blessed him?
- When is a time you felt like God was with you, even if you could not see Him?
Activity Ideas
Star Promise Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, glue and some glitter if you have it. Ask each child to draw a night sky and add stars to show God’s promise that Isaac’s family would be as many as the stars. Let them write or draw one way God takes care of them on the back. Hang the finished pictures where everyone can see them.
Dig the Well Game
You will need a large open space, a few cups or bowls and some small pieces of paper with the words “water” written on them. Hide the paper pieces around the room, and have the children take turns digging through a pile of dry rice or beans in a tray to find them. Each time someone finds water, cheer and remind them that God helps us find what we need.
Promise Keeper Jar
You will need a clean jar, paper, a pen and some ribbon. Each day for a week, have the children write one thing God has promised or one way they saw God take care of them, then fold the paper and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, open the jar together and read the notes aloud as a reminder that God keeps His promises.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our circumstances. Isaac lived in a time of famine, conflict and jealousy, yet God repeatedly reaffirmed His covenant with him and gave him steady guidance. The chapter also shows that God’s promises to Abraham continued through his descendants, and that God’s blessing is connected to obedience and trust.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that faith guarantees wealth or freedom from trouble. Isaac faced real hunger and conflict, and his wealth came from God’s blessing in a specific time and place. Focus on God’s presence and faithfulness rather than promising outcomes children can expect in their own lives.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us, just as You kept them for Isaac. Help us to trust You when we are hungry, worried or waiting for something. Thank You for being with us every day and for always making room for us. Amen.
