Inspire (for parents)

Recently my husband and I planned a big day at Disneyland for our two-year-old son. We told stories about Mickey and Minnie and built up his anticipation to a near-Christmas status. He sang the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” song on repeat the entire car ride. We pulled into the parking lot, ready to fulfill our son’s wildest theme park dreams, and suddenly realized … of all the days to arrive, we’d chosen a blackout date. Absolutely no way we could get in; it was completely blocked for all season pass holders.

As we slowly looked at each other, and then to the backseat where our jolly boy unknowingly sat singing his songs; we realized we’d made a classic rookie parent mistake. We’d promised our son this incredible day without checking to make sure we could keep true to our promise. Fortunately, our son was quick to forgive and forget. We sheepishly explained that the “mouse family” was on vacation, and we could return on a later date.

When we make promises, as earnestly as we intend to keep

our word, there is always a chance we’ll fall short. The deeply encouraging thing about God is that, unlike us, He will always keep His promises. When He paints pictures of the dreams He has for us and tells us all that life with Him has to offer we can trust that He’s done His homework. When God made a covenant with Abraham, He fulfilled it. We may not be perfect parents, but as Christians we have the blessing of being able to point our children to God, who longs to give them the desires of their hearts.

by Sarah Carter

Equip (for parents)

Abram had an encounter with God, who told Abram to leave his home and all of his surroundings and go to a new place. Abram left everything, with no understanding of where he was going. But God’s call came with the promise to bless Abram immensely—to make him a great nation and to bless all of the people of the earth through him (Genesis 12:2–3).

God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “Father of Many Nations.” Abraham chose to believe that God was a promise keeper even when the promise still seemed impossible.

The Bible reminds us that “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed” (Romans 4:18). Paul goes on to say Abraham “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20–21). You can put your faith and hope in God afresh today, knowing that God is the covenant keeper!

Support (for parents & kids)

Sometime this week read through the biblical account of God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15 and 17:1–8 with your children. At the end of each section think of a question that reflects on what you just read such as, “What did Abraham just dream about?” or “What promise did God make to Abraham?”

Just for fun, read this passage to your children outside, at night. Encourage each child to look up at the stars and ask how many stars they think there are. Tell them there are more stars than they could ever count … there are millions and millions of them. As you read the passage to them, pause at Genesis 15:5 and tell them Abraham was looking up at the same sky and the same stars when God make this promise to him.

When you are finished, let them know what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible and that they will hear it in church. Ask your children to share with you their thoughts and questions about what they just heard. Remind them the Bible is true, and that the God who made promises to Abraham in the Bible is the same God who is with them right now.

ELEMENTARYKIDS & FAMILIES

The deeply encouraging Thing abouT god is ThaT, unlike us, he will always keep his promises.

REMEMBER vERsE

Getting Started

Scripture: Genesis 12; 15—17 (Abraham)

Main Point: God Remembers His Covenant

This resource is designed to allow your family to

have time in God’s Word before your children

attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents

to be the spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith,

we know that as you grow spiritually, your children

will grow spiritually as well.

1.3

© 2010 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with roCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

“Before you created the

world and the mountains

were made, from the

beginning to the end you

are God.” Psalm 90:2 (NIrV)

date