This lesson teaches children that God keeps His promises, even when we cannot see how they will happen. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, questions and one activity.
Big Idea
God always keeps His promises, even when they seem impossible. Abram trusted God, and God made him a promise that would be kept for his family.
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)
Teach the children to hold both hands up and point up to the sky. Then have them wiggle their fingers like twinkling stars while they say the verse together, slowly and clearly.
The Story: Genesis 15 for Kids
Abram was an old man, and he had no children yet. God came to Abram in a vision and said, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I will be your shield and your very great reward.” Abram was honest with God. He said, “I have no children, so my servant Eliezer will get everything I own.”
God told Abram that his own son would be his heir. Then God took Abram outside under the night sky. God said, “Look at the stars. Count them, if you can. That is how many children you will have.” Abram believed God, and God counted Abram as righteous because of his faith.
God made a covenant, which is a special promise, with Abram that night. Abram prepared animals as God instructed, cutting them in half and laying the pieces out. Birds came down to eat the meat, and Abram chased them away. As the sun set, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and it was very dark.
While Abram slept, God showed him what would happen to his family in the future. They would live in a land that was not their own for a long time. But God promised He would bring them out with great wealth. God also said that Abram himself would die in peace and be buried when he was old.
Then a smoking furnace and a flaming torch passed between the pieces of the animals. This showed that God Himself was making the promise. God said, “I have given this land to your family.” The land stretched from the river of Egypt all the way to the great river Euphrates.
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 to Abram before anything else happened. Ask the children what Abram might have been feeling and how God answered his worry.
Genesis 15:6
He believed in the LORD, who credited it to him for righteousness.
(WEB)
Show the children that Abram simply believed God. Explain that believing God means trusting Him, even when we cannot see the whole picture yet.
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 promise that would last. Explain that God does not break His word, and He made this promise on purpose.
Talk About It
- What did Abram say he was sad about, and how did God answer him?
- What do you think Abram felt when God told him to count the stars?
- Can you think of a time when you had to wait a long time for something good to happen?
- Why do you think God wanted Abram to look at the stars before making a promise?
- How can you show God that you trust Him, even when you do not understand what He is doing?
Activity Ideas
Star Count Craft
You will need dark blue or black construction paper, white crayons or chalk, and a pencil. Have each child draw a night sky and then add as many small stars as they can count. As they work, talk about how God promised Abram more descendants than he could count, and how God keeps His word.
Promise Keeper Game
Gather the children in a circle and choose one child to be God. Give that child a soft ball or a folded sock. The child passes it to another child and says, “I promise I will keep you safe.” The receiver passes it on with the same words, and so on. End by reminding the children that God keeps every promise He makes, just like the ball keeps coming back around.
Promise Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, markers and a hole punch with string. Write “God keeps His promises” on each card and let the children decorate it with stars. Punch a hole and tie on the string so they can hang it on their bedroom door or by their bed. Encourage them to read it aloud each night before sleep.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s promise to Abram rests on His own character and faithfulness, not on Abram’s ability to perform. Abram’s belief was counted to him as righteousness, which points forward to how God’s grace comes to us through faith. The covenant ceremony was a common way of making binding promises in that ancient world, and here God Himself passes through the pieces, showing that He alone guarantees the promise.
Avoid overstating to children that God will always give us exactly what we ask for or that waiting will always end quickly. Children may hear this as a formula. Instead, focus on the truth that God is faithful to His word and that trusting Him is always good, even when we are still waiting.
A Prayer to Close
Lord God, thank You for keeping every promise You make to us. Help us trust You when we cannot see how things will work out. Teach us to believe You, just like Abram did. Amen.
