Lesson No. ( 5 ) The Lord Visits Abraham

References

Genesis 18
The life of Abraham. By F. B. Mayer

Notes for Servants

★ Abraham was one hundred years old, he had many tents. He had 318 slaves serving him besides several hired ones. He sat at the entrance of the tent at noon and it was very hot day. He sat there to invite the strangers who passed his tent.
★ Abraham was doing this out of a generous loving heart to everyone, that is why he deserved God’s visit to him and gave the a joyful message he received.

Objectives

General: God's love and care for Abraham and his wife.
Specific: The children will be able to ...
A. Say how we can show hospitality to strangers.
B. Apply this lesson in their lives. They must pray before having a meal and help in setting the table.
C. Know that the person they receive may be one of the saints.

Bible Verse

" Be not forgetful to entertain strangers. "
Hebrew 13:2

Teaching Aids

1. Felt figure and flannel board.
2. Video.
3. Make a tent of hard paper, bring a loaf of bread and water in a basin for washing feet.

Introduction

(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.

Story Time

One day, when it was summer and very hot at noon, Abraham was sitting at the entrance of the tent in the shadow of a big tree. Three men were passing by his tent. Abraham ran towards them to meet them and he forgot that he was an old man and had high status. He thought of entertaining those strangers as the Scripture says: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers." He went towards them and bowed before them as sign of respect and greeting as the custom was in those days. He invited them saying: "Honour me by having dinner with me." The three men accepted his invitation. They sat under the tree, in its shadow, waiting for the dinner. Abraham brought water and a towel for them and he washed the guests's feet.

1. How many men were there?
2. Why did he wash their feet?
3. Why did Abraham invite the strangers?

Abraham entered his tent and asked Sarah his wife to hurry and bake some bread, then he ran to the herd and picked out a calf that was tender and fat and gave it to a servant who hurried to cook it for dinner. He took some cream, some milk and the meat, and set the food before the men. The men prayed before they ate. There under the tree he served them himself as they ate. Then they said: "Thanks Abraham for your hospitality."

1. Why didn't Abraham let a slave serve the strangers?
2. Who can say the verse: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers."

When the men finished their food and about to leave they told Abraham that he will have a son by the spring. For these three men where God and two angels in shape of people.

Discussion

1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.
3 - Teach children to help their parents to care for the strangers, the needy and the poor for they are the brethren of Christ.

Learning Activities

Activity Sheet. The Lord Visits Abraham.pdf