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3rd & 4th Grade GuideSunday School EditionLESSONdate:1.3Bible Passage: Genesis 12; 15—16(Abram)God Is a Covenant Keeper (Part 2)REMEMBER VERSEBefore the mountains were bornor you brought forth the wholeworld, from everlasting toeverlasting you are God.Psalm 90:2SCHEDULEConnect5–10 minutesGather20–35 minutesRespond15–20 minutesEngage15–20 minutesBless5–10 minutesEnvironment: STORYTELLINGIn this lesson we see the environment of STORYTELLING in how God kept His covenant withAbram and made salvation available to all people—including us—through Jesus. 2013 David C Cook. T ruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Churchand a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.
3rd & 4th Grade GuideSunday School EditionC O N N E CT GATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3InspireN OT E S :I stood in a white lace dress and heels that made my feet ache so badly that Ileaned on my soon-to-be husband, whose hands and voice shook with emotion.Our friends and family watched while we took our vows to love and care for eachother, come what may.My husband and I had already made these vows to each other many timesbefore our marriage, though not in the same words. Even so, something differenthappened while we stood in a church in front of our community that day. That day,the covenant was sealed, and something in my heart knew the difference.Since then, our new marriage has been sweet and beautiful. But I can honestlysay that our love does not compare to the love I have found in Christ. ThroughChrist’s death on the cross, God has given me a love found nowhere else. He hasgiven me peace that fills me from the inside out. He has given my life meaning byallowing me to play a part in the most important story ever told—His story.Because of the love I have found in Christ, “my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Iam in awe of the fact that He entered into a covenant of love with me and keepsit forever.Tori FunkhouserTruStory Team 2013 David C Cook2
3rd & 4th Grade GuideSunday School EditionC O N N E CT GATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3EquipN OT E S :Before God entered into a covenant with Abram, He told Abram to leave his homeand all of his surroundings and go to a new place where God would lead him. SoAbram left, not knowing where God would take him. But God’s call came with thepromise to bless Abram immensely—to make him a great nation and to bless allof the people of the earth through him (Genesis 12:2–3).Abram waited 25 long years for God to fulfill His promise. Still, Abram—whosename God would later change to Abraham—chose to believe that God wouldkeep His promises, even when the promises seemed impossible. The Bible says“against all hope, Abraham in hope believed” (Romans 4:18). Paul goes on to saythat Abram “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but wasstrengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that Godhad power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20–21).Abram believed God would keep His covenant; we have his testimony and thetestimonies of many others. God keeps His promises.Environmentof STORYTELLINGThe power of The Big God Storyimpacts our lives by giving usan accurate and awe-inspiringperspective into how God hasbeen moving throughout history.It further compels us to see howGod is using every person’s lifeand is creating a unique storythat deserves to be told forGod’s glory.The 10 Environments guide usin creating a climate that putsGod on display. Encourage yourfamilies to discover more aboutcreating the environment ofSTORYTELLING in their homesby checking out HomeFront: ASpiritual Parenting Resourceand Spiritual Parenting byMichelle Anthony. 2013 David C Cook3
3rd & 4th Grade GuideSunday School EditionC O N N E CT GATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3SupportAs you prepare for this lesson, spend time reading the passage on your ownand let the Holy Spirit transform you with the same verses you will bring to thechildren. Let your teaching be infused with the passion and conviction that comesfrom an overflow of your own life. Listen for the specific “aha” moment Godreveals to you as you prepare for the lesson, and integrate that truth into whatyou share with the kids.TIMELINE& EVEADAMHNOA AHAMAB R CISAA BJACO HJOSEPSMOSEUAJOSHDAVID O NSOLOM400 YEAR SThis lesson is merely a tool. Use it as a guide, but make it personal. Think abouttimes in your own life when you’ve seen God keep His promises, and share yourstories with the students. Allow the kids, in turn, to share their own stories withyou and their peers.OF WAITI NGPray that God will use you to bring the kids into a time of experiencing Himin the church setting. Also pray that parents and kids experience His realnessat home. Pray that your kids will be transformed by their encounter with God—that they will know Him better and respond to Him with faith and obedience. Ifpossible, find a time to pray with the parents for their role as spiritual leaders.MARYJOSEPHJOHN THE BAPTIS TJ ESUSCENTU RIONNICO DEM USPET ERLAZ AR USPA ULYOU &OU R 2013 David C CookMEFUTURE WITH JE SUS4
3rd & 4th Grade GuideSunday School EditionC O N N E CT GATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S SLesson OverviewExperienceTime SummaryConnect//5–10min.Gather//20–35 Children will gather tomin. experience and learnmore about God throughcommunal and personalprayer, a creative telling ofthe day’s portion of The BigGod Story, an investigationinto God’s Word, and more.Designed to allow childrento develop relationshipswith their leaders and oneanother.1.3Supplies/Prepare(Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com)Stars in the Sky black construction paper (1 sheet per 3–4 kids) pencilsPrayer noneStorytelling Bibles (1 per child) star template (see tru.davidccook.com) glow-in-the-dark paper (3 sheets) tape marker small stones (1 per child)Investigate Bibles (1 per child)Remember Verse Remember Verse cards (see tru.davidccook.com) paper (1 or 2 sheets) scissors (1 pair) pen or marker small paper bag upbeat music (suggestion: “Celebrate,” TruWorshipSincerely Yours)Respond//15–20 Kids will worshipmin. collaboratively, individually,through many differentmedia, and with an eyetoward the greater faithcommunity. The “So what?Now what?” component.Keeping His CovenantEngage//15–20 Kids will engage with onemin. another through variousforms of play, includinginteractive games andactivities, engaging projectsand experiments, and more.Abram BingoBless//5–10min. dark butcher paper (3 pieces, each 3’ x 3’) chalk, neon markers, or light-colored pencils star stickers (silver or glow-in-the-dark) tape worship songs (suggestions: “Remain,” TruWorshipSincerely Yours or “You Are,” TruWorship You Are) Abram Bingo board (see tru.davidccook.com) buttons or coins (to use as bingo markers) pencils or pens whiteboard and dry erase marker or posterboard and markerSends the kids out with a Biblesense of peace and blessing star stickers (1 per child)so they can be a blessing to HomeFront Weekly (1 per child;see tru.davidccook.com)their families and others. HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource(1 per family; see tru.davidccook.com orHomeFrontMag.com)*To make metric conversions, search the Internetfor a metric conversion chart or calculator. 2013 David C Cook5
3rd & 4th Grade GuideSunday School EditionC ON N ECT GATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3Connect//Connect encourageskids to developrelationships withtheir leaders and oneanother. Within afree-flowing settingthat utilizes simplesupplies andconversation starters,Connect giveskids and leaders theopportunity to getto know oneanother better.5–10 min.When Adam and Eve sinned, the relationship between people and God was broken. Butin Genesis 12, God began a relationship with a man named Abram, whose name Godlater changed to Abraham. Through him, God made a covenant to bless the whole world!CONNECT QUESTION: Welcome and greet children. Open your time by asking thisquestion: What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken?Stars in the SkySUPPLIES black construction paper (1 sheet per 3–4 kids) pencilsRELATEWhen God promised to give Abram many, many descendants, He compared thosedescendants to the stars in the sky. With the following activity, help the children createtheir own “stars” and “constellations.”Have the kids get into groups of three or four, and give each group a sheet of blackconstruction paper. Invite the kids to use the pencils to poke holes in the constructionpaper to create a constellation. Then encourage the children to hold up their papers tothe light and view their constellations.After a few minutes, invite each group to present their constellation to the rest of theclass, and allow the kids to ask questions about why each group chose to design theirconstellation they way they did. 2013 David C Cook6
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT Sunday School EditionGATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3Gather//20–35 min.PrayerDuring Gather, kidswill experience andlearn more about Godthrough communaland personal prayer,a creative Storytellingof the day’s portionof The Big God Story,and an investigationinto God’s Word,which may includeword studies,crossreferencing, anda look into the contextsurrounding thepassage.In this section, yourchildren will oftenact as detectivesand investigators—working togetherto understand themysteries and truthsfound in the Bible. 2013 David C CookGather your children into a circle. Encourage them to hold their hands in front of them,palms up, as a posture of receiving what God might speak to them today. Before you pray,designate a leader (or two) to open and close the time of prayer. Tell the children they areencouraged to participate in this time of prayer if they would like to. Remind them thatpraying is simply talking and listening to God, and that He always hears us when we pray.As you pray, leave space between prayers for kids to take the opportunity to pray, in casesome may be apprehensive and need a little more time. Pray that God would bless theday’s lesson as you’re in His Word. Pray that God would speak to the hearts of His children,revealing to them the truth of today’s Ponder Point, that God Is a Covenant Keeper.StorytellingBible Passage: Genesis 12; 15—16Storytelling Technique: Key Words and ObjectsSUPPLIES Bibles (1 per child) star template (see tru.davidccook.com) glow-in-the-dark paper (3 sheets) tape marker small stones (1 per child)PREPARE AHEADPrint three copies of the star template onto glow-in-the-dark paper and cut out the stars.SET UPHand the stones to the children. Tape the black butcher paper to the wall.RELATEHave you ever been camping or hiking? (Invite children to answer; interact with theirresponses.) What’s your favorite thing about being outside in nature? (Allow answers.)I think one of the coolest things about camping is getting to look up at the night skyand see all the beautiful stars God created. Today we’ll look at a part of The Big GodStory that shows us how God used the stars to describe a covenant He made withsomeone. What’s a covenant? (Allow answers.) A covenant is an extra special promise,and God always keeps His promises. (Write “Covenant” on one of the stars and tape itto the black butcher paper.) God made covenants with people throughout The Big GodStory, and He worked through these covenants to bring Jesus to the world!7
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT Sunday School EditionGATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3Leader TipIn Genesis 17, God changes Abram’sname to “Abraham,” which means“father of many.” He also changedSarai’s name to “Sarah.” Let yourkids know that Abram and Sarai arealso known as Abraham and Sarahin The Big God Story.N OT E S :(Have your kids turn to Genesis 12 in their Bibles.) In this chapter of the Bible wesee that God spoke to a man named Abram. (Read Genesis 12:1–3 to the children.Write “Abram” on a star and tape it to the butcher paper.) Abram took his wife, hisnephew, and all of his servants and traveled to the land of Canaan, where God hadtold him to go. When Abram got there, God told him that this was the land He wasgoing to give to his descendants. Does anyone know what a descendant is? (Allowanswers. Write “Descendant” on a star and tape it to the butcher paper.) A descendant issomeone’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on. God promisedthat Abram would have lots of descendants who would fill up the land of Canaan!When Abram heard this, he built an altar to God as a way of offering thanks. (Havethe children pass their stones to the front while the kids in the front pile them up as highas possible.)(Have the kids turn to Genesis 15 in their Bibles.) A while later, God appeared toAbram again, and Abram had a question. What do you think Abram’s question was?(Allow answers.) Good thoughts. You see, Abram and his wife, Sarai, didn’t have anychildren. (Write “Sarai” on a star and tape it to the butcher paper.) God had promisedAbram descendants, but Abram didn’t know how this could happen! (Lowerthe lights.)God took Abram outside. He told Abram that he and his wife would have a son,and through this son, Abram would have many descendants. (Hold up a star.) AndGod promised that He would always keep His covenant and bless the whole worldthrough Abram.God showed Abram all the stars in the sky. (Ask a volunteer to read Genesis 15:5.)Have you ever seen the sky on a really clear night? (Allow answers.) There are somany stars! God compared Abram’s descendants to the stars—God would keepHis covenant with Abram and give him lots and lots and lots of descendants! (Write“God” on a star and tape it to the butcher paper.)Abram believed God, and because of that God gave him salvation (Genesis 15:6).And through Abram’s descendants, God promised to offer salvation to them and tothe whole world! (Write “Salvation” on a star and tape it to the butcher paper.) Then Godpointed out the land of Canaan and told Abram that He would give all the land tohis descendants.God kept His covenant with Abram, and all of God’s promises came true! Abramand his wife had a son named Isaac. (Write “Isaac” on a star and tape it to the butcherpaper.) And a few generations later, Abram’s descendants came back to the landof Canaan, and it became the country of Israel. Then, much later, the greatestdescendant of Abram’s was born. Does anyone know who that was? (Allow answers.)That’s right—Jesus! 2013 David C Cook8
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT Sunday School EditionGATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3N OT E S :Now this is where you and I become a part of The Big God Story. Because Jesusdied for our sins, He invites us to accept Jesus’ sacrifice and become a part of God’sfamily. We can be adopted as God’s children and become a part of the descendantsof Abram. Because of Jesus, the whole world was blessed! When we become a partof God’s family, we’re invited to be a blessing to others as well.And because God always keeps His covenants, we can always trust Him tokeep His promises to us. (Share a story of a time you saw God’s faithfulness to Hispromises.)InvestigateDiscussion Questions What did God tell Abram to do? (Genesis 12:1) What did God say He would do for Abram? (Genesis 12:1–3) What did Abram do when God told him to go? (Genesis 12:4) Why do you think Abram was able to trust God? What is a covenant?God Is a Covenant KeeperIn today’s portion of The Big God Story we saw God choose a man named Abram.God promised to give Abram many descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.), aland to call his own, and that through him God would bless the entire world. What is the biggest blessing the world has ever received?Read Acts 3:24–25 aloud. In this part of The Big God Story, a disciple named Peterwas preaching about Jesus. He was talking to the Jews—the descendants of Abram. What do these verses say about God’s covenant promises? How is this verse similar to the verses we heard today?Invite the children to turn to Hebrews 11, and read verses 8–12 aloud to them. What do these verses tell you about what God did? Why is it good to know that God kept His covenant with Abram? 2013 David C Cook9
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT Sunday School EditionGATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3Space for theHoly SpiritThe Holy Spirit longs to speak to Hischildren. Allow time and space foryour kids to respond to what Godmight be speaking to their hearts.To create space for children tohear from and respond to Him, askthe kids a few simple questions: After all you’ve seen, heard, andexperienced today through God’sWord, what do you know aboutGod? How does that make you feel? What does this mean for your life? How do you want to respond toGod right now?As you lead the kids throughthis time of reflection, pause andask God to give you the strengthand faith to be flexible as you givethe children the space to respondin the way that God leads.N OT E S : 2013 David C CookRemember VerseEach week children will spend time memorizing a portion of Scripture together. EachRemember Verse corresponds with one of the 10 Environments. This week’s lessonhighlights the environment of STORYTELLING, which says “God has a big story, and Ican be a part of it!”STORYTELLING Remember Verse: Before the mountains were born or youbrought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.Psalm 90:2Game: Hot PotatoSUPPLIES Remember Verse cards (see tru.davidccook.com) paper (1 or 2 sheets) scissors (1 pair) pen or marker small paper bag upbeat music (suggestion: “Celebrate,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours; available attru.davidccook.com for Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users; or iTunes)PREPARE AHEADCut the paper into small strips. Write each word of the Remember Verse on a strip ofpaper. Put the strips into a paper bag and scrunch the bag up like a ball. Cue the music.RELATEEncourage the children to gather in a circle on the floor. Let the kids know that as longas the music plays, they should toss the bag back and forth to each other in the circle.When the music stops, the person holding the bag gets to take out one of the stripsof paper and place it on the floor. When the music starts playing again, the game willcontinue. Whoever gets the next word should try to place it in order next to the otherword. Continue the game until the entire verse is in order. Play a few rounds until the kidshave the verse memorized.10
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT GATH E R Sunday School EditionR E S P ON D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3Respond//15–20 min.Keeping His CovenantDuring Respond,kids will have theopportunity toprocess what theHoly Spirit has beenteaching them.They will beencouraged todemonstrate theirresponse to Godin a time ofhands-on worship,to express themselvesindividually throughthe use of manymedia, and to worshipcollaboratively witha mindset focusedon the greatercommunity.Resource Tip“Science Experiments” activitiesare available for this lesson.Premium, Unlimited, and Combousers may access this resourceat tru.davidccook.com. 2013 David C CookSUPPLIES dark butcher paper (3 pieces, each 3’ x 3’) chalk, neon markers, or light-colored pencils star stickers (silver or glow-in-the-dark) tape worship songs (suggestions: “Remain,” TruWorship Sincerely Yours or “You Are,”TruWorship You Are; both available at tru.davidccook.com for Premium, Unlimited, andCombo users; or iTunes)SET UPTape the three pieces of butcher paper to a wall so the kids can reach them.RELATEThrough Abram, God blessed the entire world. God made a covenant with Abramand promised that the things He said would come true. And throughout The BigGod Story, we see God working to make these things happen. We can trust thatGod always keeps His promises.Point out the first piece of butcher paper and the glow-in-the-dark stars. Invite the kidsto reflect on God’s covenant with Abram, which they heard about today in The Big GodStory. Children can share what they remember about how God worked in Abram’s life andthe way God kept His covenant. As each child offer ideas and reflections, she can add astar to the first sheet of butcher paper. (Note: If any kids don’t feel comfortable sharing,let them know they can add a sticker too.)Now point out the second piece of butcher paper.God kept His covenant to bless the whole world through Abram by sendingJesus. (Invite a child to come up and use a piece of chalk, neon marker, or light-coloredpencil to draw a large outline of a cross to cover the second sheet of butcher paper. Thenencourage kids to use the chalk, markers, or pencils to write inside the cross words thatreflect Jesus’ fulfillment of God’s covenant. They may want to write words such as “Love,”“Blessing,” “Forgiveness,” etc.)Finally, show the students the third piece of butcher paper.God’s covenant with Abram affects us too! God kept His covenant, and because Hedid, you and I are invited to join God’s family by choosing to trust and obey Jesus.11
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT GATH E R Sunday School EditionR E S P ON D E N GAG E B LE S S1.3N OT E S :Invite a child to come up and use a piece of chalk, marker, or pencil to draw a largeoutline of a heart on the third piece of butcher paper. Then invite the children to drawinside the heart words or phrases that remind them of how God keeping His covenantaffects them today. They might write “I’m a daughter of the King,” “I have the Holy Spirit toguide me,” “I’m forgiven,” etc.Look at all the amazing things about our God! He always keeps His promises.Let’s take some time to praise Him together.Play a couple of worship songs. You can encourage the children to sing along as youpraise God together. The children may also want to simply pray through the music or sitquietly on the floor. Give your students opportunity to respond in whatever way they wantto praise God today.Developmentally SpeakingBecause third and fourth graders often work quickly to complete a given task, remindyour children that worship and prayer aren’t jobs to conquer. They’re opportunitiesto listen to God and praise Him for who He is. God likes it when we spend timewith Him! 2013 David C Cook12
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT GATH E R R E S P O N D Sunday School EditionE NGAG E B LE S S1.3Engage//15–20 min.Abram BingoThe Engage sectiongives kids time to play,laugh, and exploretogether throughinteractive games andactivities, engagingprojects, experiments,and more.N OT E S :SUPPLIES Abram Bingo board (see tru.davidccook.com) buttons or coins (to use as bingo markers) pencils or pens whiteboard and dry erase marker or poster board and markerPREPARE AHEADPrint one copy of the Abram Bingo board for each child.RELATEInvite the kids to shout out words that come from today’s portion of The Big God Story.Your goal should be to get to 25 words so that the kids can fill in the 25 squares on theirbingo boards. As the kids offer words, write them on the whiteboard or poster board.Some examples might be “Abram,” “Blessing,” “Go,” “Stars,” etc. If the kids need help,encourage them to look up Genesis 12; 15—16 in their Bibles and find words there.After you have a good list, hand each child one of the Abram Bingo boards. Encouragethe kids to fill out their bingo boards by randomly filling in each square with one of thewords from the whiteboard. Point out the markers and let the kids know that their goalis to fill in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line. Invite three kids to come up and be the“callers” for the round. They can take turns calling out the words on the board in randomorder. The first child to successfully fill in a line should shout “Bingo!” Ask the child whogets the “bingo” one of the questions below as well as questions of your own. Play a fewrounds, and invite new kids to be the callers each round. What stood out to you in today’s portion of The Big God Story? What did you learn about God today? How do you see God working in your life? 2013 David C Cook13
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT GATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E Sunday School EditionB LE S S1.3Bless//As followers of Christ,we’ve been blessed tobe a blessing to others.This Bless time willallow children to takenew steps towardliving out their part ofThe Big God Story.This time will leadkids to go out intothe community andrespond to whatthey’ve learned andreceived from God bysharing and givingaway their knowledgeand blessingsto others. 2013 David C Cook5–10 min.SUPPLIES Bible star stickers (1 per child)RELATEInvite the children to stand and gather into a circle.Through Abram, God brought into the world the Jewish people, the nation ofIsrael, and, most importantly, Jesus! Through Jesus, God kept His covenant, andHe invites all of us to know Him and be saved from our sins.Open and Bible and read 1 Chronicles 16:15 over your children:He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousandgenerations.Now go around the circle and bless each student individually. Invite each child to takea step forward when it’s his turn to be blessed. As he comes forward, bless him with thewords below and give him a star sticker to remind him that he’s one of God’s children.See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be calledchildren of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)After you’ve individually blessed the children, gather the whole group together and say:Go out this week knowing that God keeps His covenants, which means Healways keeps His word and does what He says He will do.14
3rd & 4th Grade GuideC O N N E CT GATH E R R E S P O N D E N GAG E Sunday School EditionB LE S S1.3N OT E S :HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home theHomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! Thispreteaching tool for parents encourages families tospend time in God’s Word together before childrenarrive at church.HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource:This magazine gives families ideas for creating fun,spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside asacred space for family in the midst of their active, everydaylives! As the new issue becomes available each month, youmay choose to print them for families or encourage them tovisit HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazinesent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available asan app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. 2013 David C Cook15
5–10 minutes Gather 20–35 minutes Respond 15–20 minutes Engage 15–20 minutes Bless 5–10 minutes LESSON 3rd & 4th Grade Guide 1.3 REMEMBER VERSE Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to ever
