INTRODUCTION

Isaac Marries Rebekah

Bible Point:

Pray to God.

Key Verse:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Big Picture:

Children will pray to God regularly. 

Isaac Marries Rebekah

Genesis 24

You’re about to lead your sometimes fiercely independent 5- and 6-year-olds into this lesson about praying for God’s direction. “I can do it by myself!” is a common assertion among kids in this age group. Use this lesson to help kids know that they can pray to God for wisdom. It’s good for them to know that they can do things on their own, but that even very wise people need to rely on God.

PLANTING THE SEED

BIBLE TIME!

The Bible (Genesis 24) tells us that we can seek God’s direction. Isaac needed a wife, and his father, Abraham, wanted to find him a wife who believed in God. So Abraham sent his servant to choose a wife from Abraham’s own clan. The servant prayerfully asked God to guide him, packed his camels, and left. God graciously led the servant to Rebekah, who not only offered him water to drink but gave all his camels water as well. The servant told Rebekah and her family all about Abraham and Isaac, and Rebekah willingly left her family to marry and live with Isaac. Your child learned that the servant prayed before, during, and after the choice he had to make. God gave direction to the servant, and God gives direction to us, too, when we pray for it.

KEY VERSE

Ask God for wisdom (adapted from James 1:5).

BIBLE POINT

Pray to God.

PLAY AND PRAY

Ask your child where he or she would like to go one day this week—maybe to a movie, shopping, or to a park. At the beginning of your adventure, encourage your child to pray a short spontaneous prayer, and then end with the following rhyming prayer: “As we go along our way, Lord, You hear us as we pray.” Then as you drive to your destination, let your child pray again and end with the following rhyming prayer: “While we’re going along the way, Lord, You hear us while we pray.” When you get back home after your adventure, have your child thank God for being with you both; then say the following prayer together: “You were with us along the way. Thank you, Lord, for what we prayed. Amen.”

ASK

• When do you pray?

• What are some things that you pray about? Are there any other things you can pray for?

• Why do you think it’s important to pray?

FAITHFUL FLAVORS

Help your child learn that we can seek God’s direction by praying and asking God for guidance, and by talking with other Christians. Decide on an easy recipe to make with your child, such as a fruit salad of diced apples, cantaloupe, strawberries, pineapple, and grapes. Then have your child join you in asking God’s guidance about who to give the gift to. Encourage your child to say the names of people he or she thinks would enjoy the gift. When you’ve received guidance and have agreed on who to give the gift to, make the gift, and then deliver it together.

ASK

• How can we seek God’s direction?

• What do you need God’s direction for today?

READY, SET, GROW!

This week, your child learned that we can pray to God. He or she committed to one of the following challenges to remember that he or she can pray to God. Help your child weave faith into life this week and follow through on the challenge!

1. Ask your parents to help you make a simple map that shows places you’ve been. Then pray with your parents, asking God to be with you everywhere you go.

2. Ask your parents to help you attach something colorful to your favorite pair of shoes. Each time that colorful object catches your eye, pray to God.

3. Ask your parents or an older family member to tell you some of the ways God’s shown them what he wants them to do in life. Then pray together.