This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises, even when they seem impossible. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, a memory activity, and a short prayer.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises, even when we cannot see how He will do it. Abram trusted God, and God kept His word.
Memory Verse
Genesis 15:5
The LORD brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So will your offspring be.”
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and look up as if they are gazing at the sky. Then have them slowly count on their fingers, one to ten, while they say the verse together. Ask them to point to the sky when they say “stars” and to hug themselves when they say “so will your offspring be.”
The Story: Genesis 15 for Kids
Abram was an old man, and he did not have any children. God had promised him that he would have a great family, but years had passed and no baby had come. One night God spoke to Abram in a vision. God said, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, and I will reward you greatly.”
Abram was honest with God. He said, “Lord, you have not given me any children. My servant Eliezer will get everything I own.” God answered him kindly. God said, “No, your own son will be your heir.” Then God took Abram outside under the night sky.
God told Abram to look up and count the stars. Abram could not count them all, because there were so many. God said, “So will your family be.” Abram believed God. He trusted that God would do what He said, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Later, God made a covenant, which is a special promise, with Abram. Abram asked God how he could be sure that the land would belong to his family. God told Abram to bring some animals and birds and to prepare them in a special way. Abram did what God asked, and he stayed with the animals all day to keep the birds away.
When the sun went down, Abram fell into a deep sleep. God spoke to him again and told him that his family would live in a land that was not theirs for a long time. But God also promised that He would bring them out and give them the land. A smoking furnace and a burning torch passed between the pieces of the animals, and God made His promise to Abram that day.
Read It Together
Genesis 15:1
After these things the LORD’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke first and told Abram not to be afraid. Explain that God is the one who protects His people and rewards them. Ask the children what it feels like when someone tells them not to be afraid.
Genesis 15:6
He believed in the LORD, who credited it to him for righteousness.
(WEB)
Point out that Abram believed God, even though he could not see the family God had promised. Explain that believing God means trusting Him and taking Him at His word. Help the children name a time when they trusted someone they could not see.
Genesis 15:18
In that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates…
(WEB)
Point out that God made a covenant, a solemn promise, with Abram that day. Explain that God does not break His promises. Ask the children to think about a promise someone made to them and kept.
Talk About It
- How did Abram feel when God told him he would have a big family, and why do you think he felt that way?
- What did God tell Abram to look at, and what did that help Abram remember?
- Why do you think Abram believed God even though he was old and did not have any children?
- What is one promise God has made in the Bible that you can trust today?
- When you feel scared or worried, what can you remember about God that helps you be brave?
Activity Ideas
Star Count Night Sky Craft
You will need black construction paper, white crayons or chalk, and a pencil. Have each child draw a night sky by pressing lightly with the white crayon or chalk to make stars of different sizes. As they draw, ask them to count their stars out loud, then say that God’s promise to Abram was even bigger than their count. Let them take their picture home as a reminder that God keeps His word.
Stargazing Walk Game
You will need a open space, such as a yard or a classroom with room to move. Hide small paper stars around the room and have the children hunt for them while counting out loud. Each time a child finds a star, have them say, “God keeps His promises.” When all the stars are found, the children can gather together and count them as a group.
Promise Keeper Bookmark
You will need cardstock, markers, a hole punch, and a piece of yarn. Have each child decorate a bookmark with a star and write or draw one promise that God keeps. Punch a hole at the top and tie the yarn through it. Encourage them to take the bookmark home and use it when they read the Bible, so they remember that God always keeps His word.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Genesis 15 shows that God’s covenant with Abram was founded on His own faithfulness, not on Abram’s ability to earn it. Abram’s belief was credited to him as righteousness, which points forward to how God makes people right with Himself through faith. The chapter also shows that God’s promises unfold over time, even when they seem delayed.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of the animal sacrifice or the smoking furnace. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and Abram’s trust, since young children may become confused or frightened by the more vivid imagery. Simple, honest storytelling works best.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises to us, just like You kept Your promise to Abram. Help us to trust You even when we cannot see how things will work out. Remind us that You are our shield and our reward. Amen.
