Genesis 17 Bible-story song 3 minutes why
to learn that God knew Abram and gave him and his family new names
with
a storyteller, another adult to represent Abram, a child or third leader to represent Sarai and a doll for Isaac, song words from the Web resources
1 Place ‘Abram’, ‘Sarai’ and ‘Isaac’ beside you. Say that God promised Abram and Sarai that they would have a big, big family. 2 Practise singing for the story. Sing the first two lines to the tune ‘One man went to mow’. ‘Abram’ should reply, singing the second part of each verse. Encourage the children to repeat the last two lines with Abram. Practise singing these two lines with them before beginning the story. 3 Say: ‘God spoke to Abram. I wonder what God will say to Abram…’ Then sing, with Abram and the children replying. Abram talks to God. Tell us what God is saying, God is saying, ‘i know you. And i’ll give you a new name.’ Say: ‘A new name! God knew Abram very well. He gave him a new name to show he’d keep his promise to give him a big, big family. But God had more to say.’ Sing: Abraham talks to God. Tell us what God is saying. God says, ‘i know who Sarai is And i’ll give her a new name.’ Say: ‘Another new name! God knew Sarai. He gave her a new name to show her that he’d keep his promise. One day she would have a big, big family. But God had more to say…’ 50
Sing: Abraham talks to God. Tell us what God is saying. God says, ‘i know you’ll have a son. And i’ll give him a new name.’ Say: ‘Another new name! God gave the baby boy the name Isaac. Even before he was born, God knew Isaac and had special plans for him.’
Action prayer 3 minutes why
to be glad that God knows me by name
1 Stand together and say the following prayer with actions: God knew Abraham and God knew his name. (Reach up high as though measuring someone tall.) God knew Sarah and God knew her name. (Lower your arm a little.) God knew Isaac and God knew his name. (Pretend to rock a baby.) God knows me and God knows my name. (Point to yourself.) I’m so happy, dear God, that you know me. (Clap hands.) I’m so happy, dear God, that you know my name! (Wave arms excitedly.) 2 Invite everyone to say their name in turn. After each one say, ‘God knows and loves you Tyler’ even if a child does not respond. Ask everyone to show how they feel about God knowing their name either by using words, their faces or their actions.
S e S S i o n 8 | Abram’s new name | Bible time under-3s
Name game 3–5 minutes why
to learn that God knows each one of us by name
1 Tell the children to scatter around the room. Help any who are not sure what to do. 2 Say, ‘When you hear me call your name, you can run to me.’ 3 Start to call the children’s names one by one, reminding them what to do, for example, ‘Alisha, run to me!’ (If anyone comes before you call them, quickly say their name as they run towards you: do not tell anyone to go back.) 4 When everyone is together again, say, ‘I know all your names, so I was able to call you all to come to me. God knows your names too – every one of you.’ You could list the children’s names, smiling at each child in turn, adding, ‘God knows us all. He knows our names.’ 5 Play the game again. Although it is very simple, the children will probably enjoy it more the second time!