Abram in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20)
After God promised to make Abram a great nation and bless the whole earth through him, a severe famine struck the land of Canaan. The famine was so bad that Abram took his wife Sarai and everything they owned and traveled south to Egypt, where there was still food to be found.
As they got close to the border of Egypt, Abram turned to Sarai with a worried plan. He knew the Egyptians would notice how beautiful she was, and he was afraid that when they saw her, they would kill him so they could take her for themselves. So Abram asked Sarai to say she was his sister instead of his wife. It was not a full lie. Sarai really was his half sister. But it left out the truth that mattered most, and Abram was trusting his own plan instead of trusting God to protect him.
When they entered Egypt, it happened just as Abram feared. The officials of Pharaoh saw Sarai and praised her beauty to the king, and Sarai was taken into Pharaoh's palace. Because Pharaoh believed she was Abram's sister, he treated Abram well for her sake, giving him sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels, and servants. Abram grew wealthy through gifts that came from giving his own wife away.
But God had not forgotten His promise to Abram, and He had not forgotten Sarai either. The Lord sent serious sicknesses on Pharaoh and everyone in his household because Pharaoh had taken Sarai as his wife. Pharaoh had no way of knowing why these troubles had come, so he called for Abram and asked him directly why he had said Sarai was his sister instead of telling the truth. Pharaoh returned Sarai to Abram and sent them out of Egypt, along with everything Abram had gained while he was there.
Abram had tried to protect himself by hiding the truth, and it put Sarai in danger and brought trouble on Pharaoh's house. Yet God still kept His promise. He watched over Sarai even in Pharaoh's palace, and He brought both Abram and Sarai safely out of Egypt with their family, their flocks, and their future still intact. Abram's fear led him to make a poor choice, but it never once stopped God's faithfulness from moving His plan forward.
A Curious Question
When you feel scared or worried about something, why is it often harder to trust God than it is to try and fix the problem all by yourself?
Jesus Connection
Even though Abram made a selfish mistake because he was afraid, God did not take away His promises. God’s love was bigger than Abram's fear, and He rescued both Abram and Sarai. This points us directly to Jesus Christ. Just like God rescued Abram from a mess he created, Jesus rescues us from the mess of our sin. While Abram tried to save himself by being dishonest, Jesus saved us by being perfectly faithful. Romans 5 tells us that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, meaning God's rescue does not wait for us to get it right first. He died on the cross and rose again to give us a way back to God, showing that He is the greatest blessing for every family on earth.
Discussion Questions
- How did Abram show that he was more focused on his own safety than he was on trusting God's promises?
- How did God show that He was still a faithful promise-keeper even after Abram made such a selfish mistake?
- When you make a mistake that you feel guilty or afraid about, how does it help to know that God is still looking out for you?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- Pray First: When you feel worried about something this week, stop and talk to God before you try to fix it yourself. Tell Him exactly what makes you scared.
- Practice Truthfulness: If you make a mistake, be brave and honest about it instead of trying to hide it. Remember that God's love for you does not change when you fail.
- Look for God's Protection: Every night before bed, think of one way God took care of you during the day. Thank Him for being a faithful promise-keeper.
- Share the Load: If a worry feels too big, tell a parent or a teacher. God often uses the people who love us to show us His comfort and help.
Memorize God's Word
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
Hand Motions:
- Be strong: Make a fist and flex your arm like a muscle.
- and courageous: Place one hand on your heart.
- Do not be afraid or terrified: Shake your hands in front of you as if pushing fear away.
- for the Lord your God: Point both thumbs to your chest.
- goes with you: Point straight out in front of you.
- he will never leave you: Hold one hand out flat then sweep the other hand over it.
- nor forsake you: Cross your arms over your chest as if giving yourself a hug.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank You for always being with us, even when we feel scared or worried. You are a big and powerful God, and we know we can trust You to take care of us. Please help us to be brave and truthful, especially when we are tempted to make bad choices because of fear. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for the gift of Jesus, who shows us that You will never leave us. Amen.
Craft or Activity
The Trusting God Crown
Children will create a tangible reminder that God is the King who is in control. By placing God's promises on the inside of the crown, they learn that His love and power surround them even when they feel afraid.
Materials Checklist:
- Cut the Crown: Provide each child with a crown cutout or a long strip of paper with triangle peaks.
- Decorate the Outside: Have the kids decorate the outside of the crown by drawing or writing things that sometimes make them feel scared or worried.
- Decorate the Inside: Ask the children to flip the crown over. On the inside, have them draw symbols of God's protection like a heart for love, a shield for safety, or a cross for Jesus.
- Talk About It: As you assemble the crowns, remind the students that just as the inside of the crown touches their head, God's presence is always closest to us.
- Assemble the Crown: Secure the crown with tape or staples to fit each child comfortably.
Teacher Tips for Impact
- Emphasize God's Grace: This story can be complex because of Abram's choice. Keep your focus on the main truth: while Abram's fear led to a poor decision, God's faithfulness rescued him. This helps kids understand that God loves us even when we make mistakes.
- Interactive Role-Play: Have volunteers act out the moments of fear and rescue. Use simple props like a crown for Pharaoh or a bag for Abram. Asking the "actors" how they think their characters felt helps the whole class understand the weight of trusting God in scary moments.
- Relate to Everyday Life: Connect with your students by asking if they have ever "bent the truth" to stay out of trouble. By identifying with Abram's fear, children can better see their own need for Jesus, who is the only one who was perfectly truthful and faithful for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Abram lie about Sarai being his sister?
- Abram was afraid the Egyptians would kill him to take Sarai because she was so beautiful. Instead of trusting God to protect him, he asked her to say she was his sister so he would be safe.
- Did Pharaoh know Sarai was really Abram's wife?
- No, Pharaoh believed Sarai was Abram's sister and took her into his palace. God sent sicknesses on Pharaoh's house to reveal the truth, and that is how Pharaoh found out she was really Abram's wife.
- Why didn't God punish Abram for lying?
- The Bible does not say God punished Abram. Instead, God protected Sarai by sending trouble on Pharaoh's household, and Pharaoh sent Abram and Sarai away safely with everything they owned.