Lesson #14: Old Testament: Promise

HIGHS AND LOWS:

Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal.  Pastor Breen or a student volunteer will gather them in prayer.

REVIEW:  What do you remember from last class?  About the Tower of Babel?  You may refer to your one sentence summary from last week if you are drawing a blank.

GATHERING ACTIVITY:  Connect Bible Activity #1

Turn to page 25 and read and complete the Connect Bible activity for Genesis 15 there (make a copy for Pastor Breen is you are doing this for homework).

OUT LOUD PRAYER/LIGHTING THE CANDLE:

The students pray for all of the children they know by name, and Pastor Breen prays for the parents of the students, perhaps using the prayer from the Baptismal Rite.

DWELLING IN THE WORD:  Genesis 17:1-8, 18:1-15

Read Genesis 17:1-8 and 18:1-15 from the New Revised Standard version of the Bible.  Underline things you have questions about.  Circle things you like or would like to discuss more.

Comprehension Questions:

Chapter 17

1. What happened to Abram when he was 99 years old? (verse 1)

1. What two things does God promise to make? (verse 2)

1. What happened to Abram next? (verse 3)

1. Of whom shall Abram be the ancestor? (verse 4)

1. What is Abram’s new name? (verse 5)

1. What does Abram’s new name mean (see the note in the footnote)? (verse 5)

1. What three things does God promise in verse 6?

1. Who is included in the promise? (verse 7)

1. What else does God promise to give to Abraham? (verse 8)

Chapter 18

1. Where did the Lord appear to Abraham? (verse 1)

1. Who were standing in front of Abraham? (verse 2)

1. How did he react to these visitors? (verse 2)

1. What did Abraham say to the visitors? (verses 3-5)

1. Did the visitors agree to Abraham’s plan? (verse 5)

1. What did the visitors say to Abraham after they had eaten? (verse 9)

1. How did Abraham respond? (verse 9)

1. What did one visitor say about her? (verse 10)

1. Where was Sarah? (verse 10)

1. How old were Abraham and Sarah at this time? (verse 11)

1. How did Sarah react to the visitor’s news? (verse 12)

1. What did the Lord say to Abraham next? (verse 13-14)

1. What did Sarah say next? Why? (verse 15)

1. What did the Lord say in response? (verse 15)

Content Questions: Answer the following questions as completely as possible (group activity:  do this with your parents):

What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?

What is my favorite part of this text?  Why?

What stories or memories does this text stir up in you?  You might remember a time when you went star-gazing or received news that you didn’t believe at first, for example.

What is God doing in this text?  What is God up to?

CONNECT BIBLE ACTIVITY:  Turn in your Connect Bible to page 26 and read that page as a class.  Then, complete the activity described in bold.  Share your work with the class (take a copy to show to Pastor Breen if you do this activity at home)

TALKING TO GOD/TAKING IT HOME

1. During this week, in your prayers, try using “God of every nation” as your title for God. Make a special effort to emphasize “thy will be done” when you pray the Lord’s Prayer this week.