God tests Abraham's faith when Isaac is a young man, perhaps a teenager. He instructs Abraham to "take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much...and sacrifice him as a burnt offering" (Genesis 22:2). The next morning, Abraham begins his journey to obedience. As he heads to the mountain with his son, Isaac, who is carrying the wood, Isaac poses an important question to his father.

Isaac did not question his father about what they were about to do because he was accustomed to joining his father in the ordinance of sacrifice. Isaac knew what it meant to offer a sacrifice to God, a practice that Abraham had followed throughout Isaac's childhood and young adulthood. This time, however, Isaac had one question: "We have the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:7).

Abraham's faith-filled response, "God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son" (Genesis 22:8), demonstrates that Isaac was fully aware of the process. The father involved the son in what became an act of worship. There is no record of a struggle or resistance as Abraham tied Isaac and laid him on the altar. The son complied, perhaps inspired by his father's faith and devotion to God.

With arms raised, Abraham was ready to offer the sacrifice God required. But God had a ram in the bush. "Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means "the Lord will provide") (Genesis 22:14).

Application: This difficult passage raises the question: Did Isaac understand what was involved in offering a burnt sacrifice to God? The answer is yes! The father involved his son in what became an act of worship. There is no record of a struggle or resistance on Isaac's part. Perhaps his father's faith inspired him to believe in God as well. How can we involve children in the church's ordinances, such as communion, baptism, and foot washing? Perhaps, rather than leaving children on the sidelines during communion and baptism, teach that these are dedicated times when people who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior join together to honor the Lord. Once a child is saved, they become a believer and are welcome to participate in these sacred moments.

• Is it worth pausing to explain the ordinances in a way that even a child can understand?
• How do we help children become a part of God's family by accepting Christ as Savior?
• What role do parents play in deciding when a child is ready for baptism or communion?
• What resources are available to equip pastors, parents, and teachers to guide children in celebrating the holy ordinances?

Conclusion: Teaching children to worship means taking advantage of every opportunity to invite their participation. When we do, we pass our faith on to the next generation in memorable and meaningful ways.

Lesson Summary

In the account of Abraham's obedience to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22:1-18, we experience a profound demonstration of trust and faith through Isaac's submission to his father. Isaac's understanding and engagement in the process of offering sacrifices to God highlight the importance of intergenerational worship and passing down faith:

• Isaac was familiar with offering sacrifices, having observed his father throughout his upbringing.
• Isaac was willing to participate in the ritual, as seen in his question about the missing sheep for the burnt offering.
• We witness the interconnection between generations, with Abraham modeling faith and worship and Isaac internalizing these values.
• The importance of parents and older generations worshiping together sets an example for the young in matters of faith.
• Isaac's active involvement in the sacrifice symbolizes a more profound spiritual truth, pointing to Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
  

This narrative underscores the beauty of passing down spiritual heritage within families.

• God's sacrificial love is demonstrated through the story of Abraham and Isaac, mirroring the relationship between the Father and the Son.
• The account poignantly reminds us of God's faithfulness and the intricate intergenerational faith portrayed in the Bible.

When teaching children about worship, it may be instructive for them to participate in the ordinances of the faith. Even a small role helps them understand spiritual practices.

• Invite children to participate in communion, baptism, and other church ordinances as believers after they have accepted Christ.
• Provide explanations that children can comprehend to engage them in sacred moments.
• Empower parents to determine when a child is ready for baptism or communion with resources available to guide them.

By involving children in worship and passing on faith through generations, we can nurture a strong foundation for their spiritual growth, helping them navigate their faith journeys with confidence and understanding.

• Teaching children about worship and involving them in spiritual practices imparts faith and strengthens their connection to God and the church community.
• When these children become adults, they will ensure that intergenerational worship continues.

Lesson Plan

(Download the HBLT Handout)

Objective: By the end of a 30-minute lesson on Issac's willingness to be a sacrifice in Genesis 22:1-18, we will value including children in the ordinances by making one change in the Sunday service to welcome children's participation.

HOOK: Set a table with the Communion cup and bread. Ask, "Why do we take communion?" What does it mean? Initiate the session with discussions on Baptism and The Lord's Supper or Communion to emphasize the importance of including children in spiritual practices.

BOOK: Focus on Isaac and his role in this account. Isaac carried the wood, asked questions, and was the sacrifice. God tested Abraham's faith and provided a ram in the place of Isaac, his son.

LOOK: Why does tradition exclude children from participating in the ordinances? What are the barriers to inviting them in? Is staff and volunteer training required to help parents and children understand the requirements for their children to participate? (See Teaching Like Jesus: A Practical Guide to Christian Education In Your Church, pp. 130–132.)

TOOK: Is there one thing we can change to welcome children in our Sunday morning service this week?

SONG/VIDEO: "Living Sacrifice" by Kanaan Francis and his son, Enni Francis: https://youtu.be/E2pt1nuU0pQ?si=QsLqyqaPReEwCWxn

COOK: Does God care about the cries of children? We'll answer this question next week!

Teacher Nugget: Prayer changes things! Continue to pray that children will be welcomed to worship alongside adults in the Sunday morning service. God hears!

Children's Sermon: Prayer is Talking to God

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 Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:2-8, children will define prayer by walking through a prayer station and engaging in conversation with God.

MATERIALS: Set up a prayer walk or prayer station for children: https://faithandchildren.org/toolkit/interactive-prayer-spaces/#prayer-station-set-up-guide.

HOOK: What is prayer? After several children answer, clarify that "prayer is talking to God". Why do we pray?

BOOK: In Genesis, the Bible's first book, Abraham and his son Isaac worship God. Isaac learns how to pray because he prays with his parents. Let's pray together.

LOOK: Escort children on a prayer walk, taking turns talking to God as they walk along.

TOOK: Take a moment to lay hands on each child and pray for God's blessing. (Pastor-teacher, thank God for the children, and thank the children for being such good listeners.) Remind them that God hears them when they pray.

SONG/VIDEO: "Living Sacrifice" by Kanaan Francis and his son, Enni Francis: https://youtu.be/E2pt1nuU0pQ?si=QsLqyqaPReEwCWxn

COOK: Next week, we'll talk about a little boy who was in trouble. God heard his cries!