Abram's wife, Sarai, despairs after decades of barrenness. Now in her 70s and well beyond childbearing years, Sarai urges her husband to have a child with her Egyptian servant, Hagar—a practice that was the cultural norm during biblical times. The resultant animosity between the two women and their children paints the backdrop of this lesson.

African American Sculptor Edmonia Lewis depicts the maidservant, Hagar, wandering with an empty water jug at her feet, 1875, photo by David Finn, ©David Finn Archive, Department of Image Collections, National Gallery of Art Library, Washington, DC.

When Hagar became pregnant, she felt contempt for Sarai, so she taunted her mistress. When Sarai complained to Abram, he told her to do with Hagar as she wished. Sarai, driven by her childless frustration, mistreated Hagar, who ran away. An angel of the LORD reached out to Hagar, calling her by name and giving her instructions and a promise for the future. She was to name her son Ishmael, which means "God hears" (Genesis 16:11). Comforted by this encounter, Hagar returned to Sarai.

Ishmael was born when Abram was 86, but he was not the son God had promised. It wasn't until 14 years later, when Abraham was 100 years old, that Isaac was born. Exuberant with joy, Sarai hosted a festive celebration when it was time to wean Isaac. But just as his mother mocked Sarai, Ishmael made fun of Issac. Enraged, Sarai expelled them both from her home.

Mother and child wandered in the desert, but they soon ran out of water. Unable to bear seeing her boy die of thirst, Hagar left Ishmael under a bush. "But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. 'Hagar, what's wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there,'"(Genesis 21:17). After God assured her that He would make a great nation from Ishmael's descendants, Hagar saw a well filled with water for her and Ismael to drink.

Application: God hears the cries of children! While Hagar dispaired, God's ear was attuned to Ishmael's cries, and He answered. No one is too small or too young to deserve God's attention. Children are precious to God, and He responds to their voice, even if it's a whimpering cry.

• Why is it remarkable that God hears the cries of children?
• Even though Ishmael did something wrong, God still responded. Why?
• How do we teach and reassure the little ones among us that God hears them?
• Is God's response instructive for us? How should we respond when our children do wrong?
• Do we model God's acceptance and attentiveness by teaching children that God sees them and hears their voice?

Conclusion: God hears the cries of children. Do we?

Lesson Summary

In Genesis, barren Sarai urges her husband, Abram, to have a child with her maidservant, Hagar. After Hagar becomes pregnant, tension between the two women causes Sari to expel Hagar and Ishmael from her home.

• Fourteen years later, Sarai has a son, Issac, whom God had promised.
• Ishmael mocks Isaac at the younger child's celebration, and Sarai responds in anger.
• Hagar and Ishmael are put out of the home and wander in the desert, where they despair because they've run out of water.
• God hears Ishmael's cries and assures his mother that Ismael's descendants will be a great nation.
• God opens Hagar's eyes, and she sees a well full of water for her and her son.

This account teaches that God hears the cries of children. No one is too small or insignificant to get God's attention.

• Hagar cried. Ishmael cried. God responded when He heard the boy's cries.
• God hears the cries of the rejected, and He extends His love to those who are often overlooked.

The narrative of Hagar and Ishmael intertwines themes of faith, divine timing, and the fulfillment of promises, showcasing God's faithfulness even in desperate situations.

• God's intervention in the lives of Hagar and Ishmael demonstrates His compassion, provision, and sovereignty.
• The story serves as a reminder of God's redemptive purposes, His care for the marginalized, and His ability to bring hope out of despair.

Lesson Plan

(Download the HBLT Handout)

Objective: By the end of a 30-minute lesson on Ishmael's cries in Genesis 21:8-20, we will agree that God hears children's cries by committing to one action regarding the children in our lives.

HOOK: Show an appropriate movie clip about children in distress, or discuss recent current events. Ask: How would you describe the emotions that have been demonstrated in what we've seen or heard?

BOOK: Read the entire chapter of Genesis 16. Hagar was a slave with no freedom to make decisions, but she took the liberty daily to incite Sarai's disdain. Ishmael inherited his mother's tendency to mock others and suffered the consequences for making fun of Isaac. He and his mother were expelled, wandered in the desert, and nearly died of thirst. Ishmael cried. God heard the cries of the outcast.

LOOK: God sees children wherever they are and no matter how young they are. He cares! Children should pray with the assurance that they are welcome to talk to God. And they should be reminded that God sees their tears, and He cares about their situation. Sometimes we suffer the consequences of poor decisions, and God is still there to help. Adults are children of God, and He hears our cries, too.

TOOK: Explain to children that God hears them and sees their tears. Welcome the children to pray in church next Sunday. Invite them to call on Jesus for help.

SONG/VIDEO: "Every Time I Call Your Name" Brandonlake (with CeCe Winans). https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOja_EUEsFG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

COOK: Do children's dreams come true? We'll find out in next week's lesson!

Teacher Nugget: Is your classroom welcoming for visitors and those whom society rejects?

Children's Sermon: God Sees Our Tears

Invite children aged 5 to 11 to the front of the church and ask them to sit in a semicircle. The pastor-teacher, with an open Bible and a puppet, sits at the opening of the semicircle and introduces the puppet, naming it to the children. After the puppet welcomes the children, they introduce themselves by saying their names. Next, ask the lesson questions; there are no wrong answers. Conclude this 10-minute children's sermon by giving children a craft project. They may return to their seats or go to a separate area where teens and adults assist in completing the project. Children present or display their crafts at the end of the service.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of a 7- to 10-minute lesson on Ishmael's cries in Genesis 21:8-20, children will answer, Yes, to the question, "Does God see us and hear our cries?" by making a list of prayer requests.

MATERIALS: Large poster paper and a stand; markers

HOOK: There are lots of reasons that we cry. What are some of those reasons? Allow children to answer: we fall, get hurt, get a spanking, want something we can't have, are sad or afraid, have our feelings hurt because of something someone said or did.

BOOK: There was a little boy named Ishmael who got into big trouble at a party because he made fun of another boy. He and his mother, Hagar, had to leave the party! They were living in the desert, and it was very hot! After a little while, they ran out of water and had none to drink. The mother was crying because her son was so thirsty. Ishmael was crying too. God heard Ishmael's cry and showed his mother a well that was filled with water for them to drink. I'm sure it tasted very, very good!

LOOK: When was the last time you cried? Do you know that God hears your cries and sees your tears? He wants you to talk to Him and ask for His help.

TOOK: What do you need from God? What do you want God to do for you? God knows what's best for us, and just like your parents or caregivers, God says "Yes," and sometimes He says, "No." Let's make a list asking God for what we need. We will pray for everything on the list and thank God for hearing our prayers.

SONG/VIDEO: "Every Time I Call Your Name" Brandonlake (with CeCe Winans). https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOja_EUEsFG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

COOK: Do you know that God created you for a special purpose? There's something He wants you to do that no one else can do except you! This is what we'll study next week.