Hagar & Ishmael Sent Away

12/10/2024

Hagar and Ishmael sent Away by Jennifer Tolbert

Remember that God made a covenant (or promise) with Abraham. Remember that
Sarah took matters into her own hands and gave Abraham a son through her servant Hagar. Now that Isaac, the son of promise was born, Sarah wanted Ishmael and Hagar to go. Perhaps Sarah didn't want Isaac to share the spotlight. Perhaps, Sarah didn't want to be reminded of her unfaithfulness. Perhaps, she just wanted to make life a little simpler.

Unfortunately for Sarah, sin has consequences and sometimes those consequences last long after our repentance. Fortunately for Hagar, God saw her circumstances and was faithful to her and her son.

Key Themes:
1. Faith is being sure of what we hope for, but do not see.
2. Sin has lasting consequences and can hurt others.
3. God has a plan.

Memory Verse

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. -Exodus 20:12

Songs

Books of the Old Testament
Be Careful Little Eyes
Rock-a my Soul
Abraham's Journey
Father Abraham
I'm Calling You, Abraham
My God is So Big
Peace Like a River
Read Your Bible & Pray Every Day
Righteousness, Peace, Joy in the Holy Ghost
Three Wandering Jews

Story

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time

Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Feeling Jealousy. Download a simple feelings chart. Talk to kids about what it's like to feel jealous. Do we usually make good decisions when we are jealous? Some people even relate jealousy to a monster, because it can cause us to make really bad decisions. Today, we are going to talk about a time when Sarah made a bad decision because she was jealous. Note: After you tell the story, allow kids to tell you how other people in the story were feeling such as Abraham, Hagar, and Ishmael.

2. Target Practice: The Bible tells us that Ishmael grew up to be an archer. Begin class by asking kids review questions about Abraham up until this point. If a child gets a question right, allow them to toss a soft object (such as a ball) at a target.

3. Marble in Your Shoe
Supplies: A marble for each child.
SAY: This marble represents sin. (Have each child put the marble in their shoes and walk around the room.) SAY: Is it easy to walk around with a marble in your shoe? Can you go far? Can you go fast? That is what sin does, it hurts our walk with Jesus. It hurts us AND it can hurt others. If you always walked around with a marble in your shoe, it could really damage your feet! Today, we are going to learn about how one person's sin really hurt another person!

Story: In the Bible, Abraham is known for his faithfulness. However, along the way he did make some mistakes. One of the mistakes he made was trying to build a family through his servant Hagar instead of waiting on God. This created a conflict within his family that cause jealousy, hurt and sadness for everyone in his home. Sin does this! It causes hurt and pain. However, we are never so powerful that we can mess up God's plans. God also sees injustice and does not forget the ones who are faithful to Him. God did not forget about Hagar and Ishmael when they were treated unfairly.

SHOW the power point Hagar and Ishmael or read Genesis 21: 8-20.
EMPHASIZE that: