This lesson teaches children that Abraham showed faithful love when his wife Sarah died, and that God cares about every part of our lives, even sad ones. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God helps us through sad times, and we can show love and respect to the people we have lost. Abraham took care of Sarah even after she had died.
Memory Verse
Genesis 23:2
Sarah died in Kiriath Arba (also called Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
(WEB)
Have children place both hands over their hearts, then slowly lower their heads as if they are sad. Then have them lift their heads and open their hands wide, showing that Abraham still loved Sarah and cared for her.
The Story: Genesis 23 for Kids
Sarah lived to be one hundred twenty-seven years old. She was Abraham’s wife, and they had lived together for a very long time. One day, Sarah died in a town called Kiriath Arba, which is also called Hebron, in the land of Canaan.
Abraham was very sad. He cried and mourned for Sarah because he loved her. He wanted to bury her, but he did not own any land there. He was a stranger living among the people of Heth.
Abraham went to the people of Heth and said, “Please give me a place to bury my wife.” The people answered kindly. They said, “You are a great man. Bury your wife in the best of our tombs.”
Abraham wanted a special cave called Machpelah, which belonged to a man named Ephron. Ephron offered to give him the cave for free. But Abraham wanted to pay for it, so he gave Ephron four hundred pieces of silver.
After this, Abraham buried Sarah in the cave. The field and the cave became his own land, so his family would have a place to rest. Abraham took care of Sarah all the way to the end.
Read It Together
Genesis 23:1
Sarah lived one hundred twenty-seven years. This was the length of Sarah’s life.
(WEB)
Point out that Sarah lived a long life, and that her life was important. Ask children to think about someone they know who has lived a long, full life and what they learned from that person.
Genesis 23:3-4
3 Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
(WEB)
Show children that Abraham called himself a stranger and asked for a place to bury his wife. Explain that even when we feel like we do not have much, we can ask God and others for help when we need it.
Genesis 23:19
After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan.
(WEB)
Point out that Abraham buried Sarah with care and respect. Help children see that taking care of people, even after they have died, is a way of showing love.
Talk About It
- How do you think Abraham felt when Sarah died?
- What did Abraham do to show that he loved Sarah?
- Why do you think it was hard for Abraham to find a place to bury Sarah?
- Who is someone in your family you can show love to today?
- When you feel sad, what can you do to ask God for help?
Activity Ideas
Heart Card Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large heart and write or draw one way they can show love to someone who is sad or who has died. Help them cut out the heart and take it home to share with a family member.
Tomb Relay Game
You will need a small blanket, a few soft toys, and a open space to play. Divide children into two teams and have them carry a soft toy across the room gently, like Abraham carefully caring for Sarah. Each team can cheer for the others when they finish, showing respect and kindness.
Memory Rock at Home
You will need a few smooth stones and a marker. Write a word like “love” or “respect” on one stone and give it to each child. Ask them to place the stone somewhere in the house as a reminder to show kindness to a family member this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows how faithful people honor those they love, even in grief. Abraham does not rush past his sorrow, and he handles every step with dignity and honesty. It also shows that God’s people can rely on Him to provide what they need during hard seasons.
When teaching children, avoid overstating what the text says about heaven or what happens after death. The chapter focuses on Abraham’s grief, his respect for Sarah, and the purchase of the burial place, so keep the lesson centered on those things.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us in every season of life, even the sad ones. Help us to be kind to the people we love, and help us to remember that You are always with us. Thank You for taking care of us every day. Amen.
