Abraham’s Three Visitors

Scripture Reference:
Genesis 18:1-16; 21:1-7

Suggested Emphasis or Theme:
God’s words are trustworthy and He can do miracles. Trust God and believe He can do anything.

Memory Verse: “Those who know the Lord trust him. He will not leave those who come to him.” Psalm 9:10, ICB

Story Overview:

God changed Abram and Sarai’s names to Abraham and Sarah. When they hosted three visitors, they were told that God would give them a child within the year. The promise was fulfilled when Sarah gave birth to a son, Isaac, one year later. Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 when Isaac was born.

Background Study:

Abraham and Sarah were living in tents near Shechem as they had done since God called Abraham to leave his home and go where God would lead. Many things (some noble and some not) have happened since that time.

  • (Genesis 12:1-9) God Called Abram
  • (Genesis 12:10-20) Abram and Sara went to Egypt during a famine. Abram allowed Pharaoh to take Sarai into his harem for a short time to protect himself.
  • (Genesis 13) Abram and Lot separated. Abram gives Lot 1st Choice
  • (Genesis 14) Abram rescued Lot from danger.
  • (Genesis 15) God made a covenant with Abram and said Abram would father a great nation.
  • (Genesis 16) Impatient for the promise to be fulfilled, Sarai asked Abram to father a son by Hagar, her servant girl.
  • (Genesis 17) God restated his promise to Abram. Abram’s name became Abraham, and Sarai’s became Sarah. Circumcision was instituted as a sign of God’s covenant, marking him and his descendants as God’s people.

In today’s event, Abraham and Sarah are visited by “three men.” It is obvious that these are not just normal men because they simply “appeared.” Although Abraham had been sitting in his tent, he looked up, and they were standing nearby. Two of the visitors are angels (as later related in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah), but Abraham addressed one of them differently. This particular visitor seems to be a manifestation of God himself.

Abraham and Sarah offered the extreme hospitality well-known in Middle Eastern culture, and the visitors joined them for a meal. At this time, the Lord told Abraham a son would be born to Sarah in one year.

Note to the Teacher: At this time, the visitors leave, and the two angels go on to Sodom and Gomorrah. That event is covered in another lesson. To continue today’s lesson, however, we will skip ahead to the next year and continue with Abraham and Sarah, as recorded in Genesis 21:1-7.

Just as God had promised, a son was born one year after the visit from the three men. Abraham was 100 years old. The child was called “Isaac”, which means “laughter.” This name makes sense because Abraham laughed when God first told him he would have a son in his old age (Genesis 17:17). Sarah laughed inside her tent when she overheard the three visitors repeat the promise (Genesis 18:11).

In your Bible lesson today, make sure the children understand the timeline. God made this promise first, and then Isaac was born. God always keeps His promises.

Way to Introduce the Story:

“If you could change your name, what would you like your name to be?” (Allow each child to answer.) “Did you know God changed Abram’s name? Let’s read Genesis 17:5. (Read) What was Abram’s new name? (Abraham) Now let’s read about another name change. Let’s read Genesis 17:15. (Read) What was Sarai’s new name? (Sarah). In the book of Genesis, we can learn about a time when Abraham and Sarah had three special visitors come to their house.”
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The Story:

Abram and Sarai had brand new names. God told them to change their names to Abraham and Sarah. Once, Abraham sat by his tent, wishing again that he and Sarah had a son of their own. He remembered that God had promised, “I am going to give you children, Abraham.” But that was such a long time ago. Would God keep His promise? Abraham hoped so. He wanted a son very much.

Abraham’s wife, Sarah, wanted a son, too. But she didn’t think God would keep His promise. “I’m too old to have a baby,” she said to herself. “I’m almost 90 years old.”

It was a very hot day! The sun was beating down, and no breeze was blowing. Suddenly, Abraham looked up and saw three travellers coming toward his tent. Abraham bowed to the travellers and said, “Hello! Please stay awhile and rest under these trees near my tent. It’s cool and shady here. And if you rest awhile, I’ll bring you water to wash your tired, dusty feet and give you something to eat and drink.”

Then, the visitors accepted Abraham’s kind offer and settled in the shade of the trees.

“Thank you,” they said.

Abraham hurried into the tent. “Sarah!” he cried, “We have visitors! Quickly bake some bread for them while I see to the preparing of the meat for their dinner.”

Later, Abraham brought milk, cheese, and meat for the visitors. While they ate, Abraham stood nearby. One visitor told Abraham, “God is going to keep His promise to you. When I come to visit you next year, Sarah will have a baby boy.”

Sarah was inside the tent, listening to the men talk. She laughed to herself. “That’s impossible!” she thought. “Abraham and I are much too old to have children.”

The man said, “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for God to do? When I come back next year, Sarah will have a son. You can always trust what God says.”

Sarah was very surprised that the visitors knew what she was thinking. She hadn’t said anything out loud, yet they knew what she said to herself! These were not just ordinary visitors. One of the visitors was the Lord, and the other two were angels.

What do you think Abraham thought when he heard this good news? He was very happy. He knew his time of waiting would soon be over. He knew he could trust what God had said.

Why did the visitors come? Because God wanted Abraham to know about the baby. God wanted Abraham and Sarah to learn that they could trust what He said about a baby and what He said about other things. A year later, Sarah held a little baby boy in her arms. The baby’s name was Isaac. Sarah was so happy, she laughed. She had the little baby she had always wanted. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, and Sarah was 90.

Abraham was happy, too. “God did what He said He would do,” Abraham said. “We can always trust what God says. He has given us a fine baby boy.”
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Ways to Tell the Story:

This story can be told using a variety of methods. Always remain true to the facts found in the Bible but help children connect to its meaning by using drama, visual aids, voice inflection or other group participation.
Click here for visual aids and story-telling methods.


Click here to download the slideshow, or click here to download the pictures to print.
Each teacher is unique, so only use the illustrations that best relate to how YOU tell the story in THIS lesson. Too many illustrations can be confusing, so eliminate any that cover other stories or details you do not wish to emphasise in this lesson.

Review and Reflection Questions:

Review questions help children remember and know the facts of a story, while reflection questions encourage them to internalize its meaning and implications for their lives. Asking at least one of each type of question can help strengthen a child’s spiritual development and help them connect to God. Click here to learn more about review and reflection questions.

Review:

  1. What new names did God give Abram and Sarai? (Abraham and Sarah)
  2. Who were the three visitors who came to visit Abraham and Sarah? (The Lord and two angels.)
  3. What did Sarah do when the Lord told Abraham that Sarah would have a son even though she was almost 90 years old? (She laughed)
  4. What was the name of Abraham and Sarah’s son? (Isaac)
  5. What were Abraham and Sarah’s ages when Isaac was born? (100 and 90)

Reflection:

  1. Do you think Abram knew one of the strangers was the Lord when they first arrived at his home? What do you think they looked like?
  2. Imagine your grandmother or great-grandmother. Sarah was very old when she was told she’d have a baby! How do you think Sarah felt when she heard the three visitors say this?
  3. When was a time you or someone you know trusted God?
  4. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that God’s words are true, but God can do many things we can’t, like help Abraham and Sarah have a baby in their old age. What are some ways you could trust God more?
  5. Abraham and Sarah were old in this story, but God still had plans for their lives and how they would bless the world. Who is someone old in your life that is important to you? How could you encourage them that God is with them?

Prayer:

It is important to guide children in learning how to pray. In prayer, children can connect with God and learn that He hears and answers them. God can become a life-long friend who is with them every moment of their lives. Try using a variety of prayer methods from time to time so that the children can learn to connect with God in different ways. Note that you can pray at any time throughout your lesson. A variety of prayer methods are found here.

Song Suggestions:

Activities and Crafts:

(How to choose the best learning activities for my teaching situation)

Activities:

  • Abraham and Sarah entertained guests. Younger children can pretend to make preparations for guests.
  • Use a world record book to find out the ages of the oldest parents.
  • Help older children use a bible concordance to look up Scriptures concerning the word of God. Keywords could be “word” and “truth.”
  • Use a fist puppet and tell the story from different perspectives. For example, Let the puppet be Abraham and let “Abraham” tell what happened to him that day. Or perhaps let the puppet be Sarah and let her tell her story.
  • Bring a wrapped gift to the session today. It should contain enough items (like biscuits, fruit, or lollies) so that everyone will have some. Before you open the gift, sit it in the middle of the table and talk about how difficult it is to wait for surprises like Christmas or birthdays. Abraham and Sarah had to wait long for God to do what He said and give them a child. After you discuss this, open the gift and share.
  • Invite the children to respond to this story using the adaptable “God’s Story” printable reflection page. Free printables for this story.

Crafts:

Other Online Resources:


https://www.pinterest.com/marynnz/abraham-isaac-and-jacob/
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Abraham_s Three Visitors Pin

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