A Visit with a Promise
(Genesis 18:1-15)
One hot day, Abraham was resting near the entrance of his tent by the great trees of Mamre. When he looked up, he saw three men standing nearby. Abraham didn't just wave from his seat. He ran to meet them and bowed low to the ground. "My lord," he said, "if I have found favor in your eyes, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought so you can wash your feet and rest under this tree, while I bring you something to eat, so you can be refreshed before you go on your way." The men agreed, and Abraham was eager to show them hospitality.
He hurried into the tent and told Sarah to quickly prepare fine flour and bake some fresh bread. Then he ran to the herd and chose a tender, choice calf, giving it to a servant to prepare. He brought curds and milk along with the calf, set the food before the visitors, and stood near them under the tree while they ate. As they finished, they asked him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" Abraham told them she was in the tent. Then one of the visitors said something that seemed impossible: "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."
Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him, and she laughed to herself. She thought, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" But the Lord asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." Sarah was afraid because her secret thought had been discovered, so she denied it, saying, "I did not laugh." But the Lord replied, "Yes, you did laugh."
Abraham and Sarah realized these were not ordinary travelers. One of the visitors was the Lord Himself, appearing in the form of a man, and He wanted them to know that He has the power to do what seems impossible to human beings. He had promised them a son twenty-four years earlier, and even though Abraham and Sarah were now nearly a hundred years old, God was faithful to keep His word exactly as He had spoken it.
A Curious Question
When you hear that nothing is too hard for the Lord, does that mean God can do things that seem impossible to us, and why do you think He chooses to do those amazing things for His people?
Jesus Connection
In this story, God appears to Abraham in the form of a man. This is a special moment that shows us God has always wanted to be close to His people. While God was making a promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son, that promise was actually a link in a long chain that leads straight to Jesus. You see, the birth of Isaac was amazing, but the birth of Jesus was the ultimate proof that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Centuries later, the angel Gabriel told a young woman named Mary something just as impossible, that she would give birth to the Son of God. Luke 1 tells us Gabriel used almost the same words spoken to Abraham: "nothing is impossible with God." Just as God was faithful to visit Abraham's tent, He was faithful to send His Son to earth to save us. Jesus did the most impossible thing of all: He died for our sins and rose from the dead. This story reminds us that every promise God made in the Old Testament is kept perfectly through the life and power of Jesus Christ.
Discussion Questions
- Abraham went out of his way to show hospitality to these strangers. Why do you think he was so eager to serve them, and how can we show that same kind of kindness to people today?
- When the visitor said Sarah would have a son, she laughed because she thought it was impossible. Why is it sometimes hard for us to trust God when we are facing a big problem?
- The visitors proved they were from the Lord by knowing Sarah’s secret thoughts. How does knowing that God knows everything help us feel safe and loved?
"So What" What Can I Do?
- God’s Promises: Abraham and Sarah learned that God is a faithful promise-keeper. This week, when you feel lonely or afraid, remind yourself of a promise from the Bible, like the truth that Jesus is always with you.
- Showing Hospitality: Abraham rushed to serve his guests. You can show kindness today by being hospitable to someone new. Look for a way to share a toy or invite a new student to sit with you at lunch.
- Trusting God: Sarah thought her situation was impossible, but God proved He can handle anything. If you have a worry that feels too hard, tell God about it in prayer and trust that He has the power to help you.
Memorize God's Word
"Is anything too hard for the LORD?" ~ Genesis 18:14
Hand Motions:
- Is anything: - Shrug your shoulders with your palms facing up like you are asking a big question.
- too hard: - Flex your muscles and pretend you are trying to lift something very heavy.
- for the LORD?: - Point both thumbs up toward the sky with a confident smile.
Repeat the verse and motions a few times, getting faster each time you do it.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for being a God who always keeps His promises. We know that nothing is too hard for You, and we can trust You with everything in our lives. Help us to always believe Your Word and to show kindness to others just like Abraham did. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
Craft or Activity
A Promise Box
Kids will create a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness. This small box holds strips of paper with Bible promises, helping them remember that God's Word is true and He always keeps His word.
Materials Checklist:
- Prepare the Box: Provide each child with a small cardboard box. If using matchboxes, ensure they have both the sleeve and the tray.
- Cut the Strips: Have the children cut strips of colorful paper small enough to fit inside their box.
- Write the Promises: Write different Bible promises on the strips, such as: "I will never leave you" (Hebrews 13:5) or "The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1).
- Decorate the Box: Decorate the outside of the box with markers or paper shapes. Write "God's Promise Box" on the lid.
- Fill the Box: Place the strips inside the box and encourage the kids to keep it in a special place at home.
- Use the Box: When they feel worried, they can pull out a promise to remember that nothing is too hard for God.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- Interactive Storytelling: As you share the biblical narrative, invite the kids to act out the story with you. Have them pretend to run quickly like Abraham, bow down low, or cover their mouths as if they are laughing quietly like Sarah inside the tent.
- "Nothing is Too Hard" Game: Help students understand God's power by having them try to do something truly difficult, like lifting a heavy teacher's desk. When they realize they can't do it, show them something easy, like picking up a marker. Remind them that while some things are too hard for us, everything is easy for the Almighty God.
- Teacher Prep Shortcut: To keep the Promise Box craft moving smoothly, pre-print a list of Bible promises on a sheet of paper. Let the children cut them out themselves. This saves you time and helps the kids feel more ownership over the truths they are hiding in their boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who were the three visitors that came to Abraham?
- The Bible tells us one of the visitors was the Lord Himself, appearing in human form, along with two others. Abraham welcomed them all with a meal and great hospitality.
- Why did Sarah laugh when she heard the promise?
- Sarah laughed to herself because she and Abraham were both very old, and having a baby seemed impossible to her at that point in her life.
- What does "nothing is too hard for the Lord" mean?
- It means there is no problem, no promise, and no situation that is too difficult for God to handle, even things that seem completely impossible to us.