Story of Sarai (July 24th)

Season of the Church Year: Common Time/ “Great Green Growing” Season  (green)

Story in Scripture: Genesis 12- 23 & 1 Peter 3:6

This week, we learned about the life of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, father of the Great Family. Much of Sarah’s story centers around her relationship with her husband as they await God’s promise of a family. It’s a bit tricky to explain to children, but we tell the story of Hagar (whom we call a “helper”) and the birth of Ishmael. The fulfillment of God’s promise in the birth of Isaac is celebrated and the sad conflict between Sarah and Hagar is told directly, leaving time for the children to reflect on how each person involved might have felt. Our storytelling about Sarah concludes with the time in which she awaits the return of Abraham and Isaac from the mountain on which Abraham followed God’s call to sacrifice his son, but was redeemed by the word from an angel.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:

(Note: These are the usual questions that are asked after Old Testament character studies.)

Now I wonder which part of the story you liked best?

I wonder what part is the most important?

I wonder what part is about you…. Or what part was especially for you?

I wonder what the story of Sarah and her family might be teaching you?

Prayer:

“Dear Lord, thank you for the story of Sarah. I pray that you will help me to understand how this story teaches me something about my life. Walk beside me each day and help me to be patient and trust that you will fulfill the promises that you have made. Help me to wait on you, instead of always trying to fix things myself. Amen.”

Looking forward:

In the weeks to come, we will study Moses (Exodus 1: 8- 17:7), Abraham (Genesis 12:24- 25:11), and Jacob (Genesis 25:19- 33:20). 

Please note: The 4th- 5th grade class will learn this same story on July 31st and the Preschool/ Kindergarten class will learn about Sarai on August 7th.