Let the children explore the item. What is this, what is it used for? Have you ever lost your way and needed to use a compass?
1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Abram was an old man, and he and his wife had no children. It seemed impossible for his family to continue.
BUT in Abram’s old age, God made a covenant with him. He told Abram of the promised land he would lead him to, the numerous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that would be his, and of the blessing and redemption that would come as well.
With this HUGE covenant promise, God also gave Abram a new name–Abraham. This marked a change–a turning point for Abraham and his wife. After that promise though, Abraham didn’t completely trust all that God had said. He didn’t know how God was going to do all that He promised, and a lot of it just seemed impossible! He even decided to try another way to get all that God promised–as if God needed help doing what He said He would do!
Even still, God didn’t change His mind or His promise. He is always good and faithful.
A compass points out which direction you are going. God was Abraham’s compass, and God is our compass. When you don’t know which way to go, or what to do, ask God, and He will show you the way.
Why do you think it was hard for Abraham to trust what God told him? Would it be hard for you to believe God could do something you thought was impossible?
Was old Abraham someone you’d expect to be in Jesus’ family? Probably not, but God chose him anyway. He chose us too. Abraham needed a Savior just like we do! Jesus is coming!”
