God Protects Sarah From Abimelech
(Genesis 20)
Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur, and for a time he stayed in Gerar, a city ruled by King Abimelech. Even though Abraham had already seen God do impossible things, including promising him and Sarah a son in their old age, he let fear take over his heart once again. He was afraid that the people of Gerar might kill him just to take his wife, since she was still beautiful even in her old age. Instead of trusting God's protection, Abraham said of Sarah, "She is my sister," the same half-truth he had used years earlier in Egypt. So King Abimelech sent for Sarah and took her into his palace.
This became a serious problem, because God had already promised that Sarah would give birth to a promised son. But that night, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman." Abimelech had not yet gone near her, so he pleaded with God, saying, "Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister,' and didn't she also say, 'He is my brother'? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands." God answered him in the dream, "Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die."
Early the next morning, Abimelech summoned all his officials and told them everything, and the men were terrified. Then Abimelech called Abraham in and asked him, "What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done." Abraham explained that he had thought there was no fear of God in that place, and that they would kill him because of his wife. He also explained that Sarah truly was his half sister, the daughter of his father though not of his mother, and that he had asked this kindness of her wherever they traveled.
Then Abimelech brought Sarah back to Abraham, along with sheep, cattle, male and female servants, and gave them to him. He also gave Abraham a thousand pieces of silver to cover the wrong done to Sarah before everyone, so that she would be cleared of any wrongdoing. Abraham then prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female slaves, so they could have children again, because the Lord had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah. God's plan did not depend on Abraham being perfect. Even when Abraham failed because of fear, God's protection and faithfulness stayed exactly the same, keeping Sarah safe so the promised child could still be born.
A Curious Question
Abraham let his fear take over and told a lie that put his entire family and God's big plan in danger. Even though Abraham failed, God still stepped in to protect Sarah. Do you think God protects us because we are always good, or because He is good and always keeps His promises?
Jesus Connection
This story shows us that God is the ultimate Promise-Keeper. Even when Abraham got scared and made a big mistake, God Himself stepped in to fix things. He kept Sarah safe because He had a massive plan: He was protecting the family line so that, many years later, Jesus our Savior could be born into the world.
This points us straight to Jesus. Being saved doesn't depend on how perfect we are or how brave we feel. Instead, it depends entirely on Jesus's faithfulness and what He did for us on the cross. Romans 4 reminds us that God's promise to Abraham was never resting on Abraham's own faithfulness, but on God's, and the same is true for us today. When we mess up or feel afraid, Jesus is our Protector who stands in the gap for us. Because God is perfectly faithful to Jesus, He is always perfectly faithful to us when we trust Him. He is our true place of safety.
Discussion Questions
- Abraham told a half-truth that was actually very selfish. Why is a half-truth usually just as dangerous as a full lie?
- God appeared to the King in a dream to stop him from making a mistake. What does this teach us about how much God cares for people, even those who don't know Him yet?
- What does this story teach you about the difference between our faith (which sometimes fails) and God's faithfulness (which never fails)?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
Our faith is active, not passive. Here are three ways you can respond to God’s truth this week:
- Choose Courage Over Half-Truths: When you feel scared and want to tell a "small" lie to protect yourself, stop and ask God for courage. Remember that telling the whole truth is the only way to stay on the narrow path.
- Run Toward God, Not Away: When you mess up or make a mistake, don't try to hide it. Because God’s love is based on His goodness and not yours, you can always run straight to Him to confess and find help.
- Trust the Ultimate Shield: When you feel afraid at school or at night, remember that God is actually watching over you. Tell Him about your fear and trust that He has the power to protect you and His plans for your life.
Memorize God's Word
"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love." ~ Deuteronomy 7:9
Hand Motions:
- Know therefore that the LORD your God is God: Point upwards with both index fingers to show He is the only true God.
- the faithful God: Place one hand firmly over your heart to show He can be trusted.
- who keeps covenant: Link your index fingers together like a chain that cannot be broken.
- and steadfast love: Hug yourself tightly to remember His constant care for you.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank You for being the faithful God who always keeps His promises. We confess that sometimes we get scared and try to solve our own problems by lying or telling half-truths, just like Abraham did. Please forgive us for the times we forget to trust You.
Thank You that Your love for us doesn't depend on us being perfect, but on Your own great goodness. Help us to have the courage to tell the truth this week and to remember that You are our true protector. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Craft or Activity
The "God is Faithful" Chain
Help kids visualize how God links His promises together and how His faithfulness is the strong chain that keeps His plan from breaking, even when we make mistakes.
Materials Checklist:
- Cut the Strips: Give each child a sheet of construction paper. Have them cut the paper into 10 to 12 long strips (about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long).
- Write the Promises: On each strip, have the children write or draw one thing that God has promised or done for Abraham (e.g., "A great nation," "Gave Isaac," "Protected Sarah," "Gave a land").
- Link the Strips: Help the children link the strips together into a paper chain:
- Take the first strip (e.g., "A Great Nation") and form a circle, gluing or stapling the ends together.
- Take the second strip (e.g., "Protected Sarah"), loop it through the first circle, and then form a new circle, gluing or stapling the ends.
- Finish the Chain: Continue linking all the strips together to form one strong, long chain that represents God's unbroken promises.
- Explain the Truth: Explain that each link is a promise, and the whole chain is strong because God, who is faithful, holds all the links together, even when one person (like Abraham) is weak.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- Highlight the Contrast: Start by reminding kids of the times Abraham did show great faith. Then, introduce the lie as a sudden moment of failure. This helps children see that even heroes are imperfect, making God’s faithfulness stand out more powerfully as the true hero of the story.
- A Look at Abimelech: Spend a moment on King Abimelech. Even though he didn't know God fully, he showed great integrity. Use this to explain that God’s righteousness can be seen even through people who are not yet following Him, and that God cares about everyone’s heart.
- Explain Sovereignty: For older students, discuss what it means that God is sovereign. Explain that God actually stepped in because He has the ultimate authority to guarantee His promises. His plan is guaranteed by His power, not by our perfect behavior.
- The "Stinky" Truth: If you used the "stinky garbage" visual in the previous lesson, remind kids that Abraham’s lie was like adding more to that pile. God didn't ignore it; He rescued them from it because of His mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Abraham say Sarah was his sister again?
- Abraham was afraid the people of Gerar might kill him to take Sarah because she was beautiful, so he repeated the same half-truth he had used before instead of trusting God to protect him.
- How did God protect Sarah this time?
- God appeared to King Abimelech in a dream and warned him that Sarah was already married, keeping Abimelech from sinning against her and against God.
- Why did God still protect Abraham's family even though he lied again?
- God's promise to give Abraham a son through Sarah did not depend on Abraham being perfect. God stayed faithful to His own promise even when Abraham failed to trust Him.