I recently created a Children’s Church curriculum series entitled: Passport to the Promised Land. It is my hope to publish this series sometime this winter.

Here is a preview of the first lesson in this series:

Title of Lesson:      Passport Journey #1: Abraham’s Journey

Scripture Verse:     “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Introduction to Lesson:

We are taking a pretend journey in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Our story begins after the Great Flood. Noah’s sons and their wives had children, who had more children, and families grew. They started to spread out across the land.

HERE IS A COPY OF THE MAP FOR YOU. (The link to this map will be provided when the curriculum is published.)

The land of Ur, where our journey begins, is in the region that is present day Iraq.

If you were traveling to a foreign country today, what would you need to take with you?
A passport

For our journey through the Bible, we are also going to carry a passport.

(HAND OUT PASSPORTS – Instructions on how to create passports will be provided when the curriculum is published.)

Now we’re ready to travel with Abraham and his family.

WALK ALONG HALLWAY, STOP IN FRONT OF CLASSROOM DOOR.

Let’s check our mailbox for a message from God’s Word that will tell us which land we are entering.

Message from God’s Word:

Genesis 11:31

³¹ Terah took his son Abraham, Abraham’s wife Sara, and Abraham’s nephew Lot. Together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. (Although Abram’s name has not been changed to Abraham yet, I have included the new spelling to make it consistent throughout the curriculum).

(SHOW HARAN ON MAP)

Passport Stamp: Haran (Passport stamps will be explained when curriculum is published)

Introduction to Story:

A man named Terah and his family came from the land of Ur of the Chaldeans. He wanted to move his family to the land of Canaan (SHOW ON MAP).

But they settled in Haran.

It was a long journey. Do you think they had buses back then?

Trains?

And definitely not airplanes, right?

How do you think they got from one place to another?

Walking, riding donkey/camel, cart

What did they need to take with them to survive the long journey?

shoes good, comfortable clothes, provisions like water and food

Bible Story:

Read aloud Genesis 11:27 – Genesis 12:5

After story:

Abraham went from the land of Haran to the land God promised him. What was this land called?

Canaan.

Today you get a second sticker on your passport for the land of Canaan.

Story in Action:

Use picture cards (These will be provided when curriculum is published.)

We’re going to go on a “journey” around the room.

First person is Abraham. Draws card. “I’m Abraham, and I’m going to the Promised Land. What or who am I taking with me?” Says what’s on the card.

Second person draws a card. “I’m going with Abraham and we’re going to the Promised Land. What or who am I taking with me?” Says what’s on the card.

Third person draws a card. “I’m going with them to the Promised Land. Who or what am I taking with me?” Says what’s on the card.

Continue until all cards are played, even if the players have to start over with number one person again. Play until all cards are played.

Lesson Point:

God made a promise to Abraham. God promised Abraham that He would give Him a land that would belong to Abraham and his descendants.

What are descendants?

Abraham’s, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and so on.

God told Abraham that his descendants would be like the stars in the sky, too many to count.

The Bible tells us that Abraham believed the Lord. Abraham had faith that God would do what he promised.

God had a plan for Abraham, and God has a plan for your life, too.

Our Bible verse today is from Jeremiah 29:11. (Read aloud).

You were not put on this earth by accident.

God created you with a special purpose in mind.

God isn’t asking you to physically move. He wants you to trust Him with the things that come up in your everyday life.

You can ask for God’s help to make good choices.

Craft:

Print off a picture of Abraham and the stars. (Link will be provided when curriculum is published.)

Color, place gold star stickers on stars in picture and sandpaper or brown paper torn in pieces to glue over the ground for sand.

I will make an announcement in mid-November about the details for how you can purchase the curriculum for use in your church’s children’s program.