Abraham

Abraham CHAPTER 1 Abraham seeks the blessings of the patriarchal order—He is persecuted by false priests in Chaldea—Jehovah saves him—The origins and government of Egypt are reviewed.

Abraham CHAPTER 2 Abraham leaves Ur to go to Canaan—Jehovah appears to him at Haran—All gospel blessings are promised to his seed and through his seed to all—He goes to Canaan and on to Egypt.

Genesis CHAPTER 12 Abram will become a great nation—He and his seed will bless all the families of the earth—He travels from Haran to the land of Canaan—Because of famine, he goes down into Egypt—Abram and Sarai are tested in Pharaoh’s court.

Old Testament Scripture Stories “Abraham and Sarah” Illustrations and video

Jesus Christ will lead me by the hand.

Abraham 1:18; 2:8

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2”

• As you and your children read Abraham 1:18 and 2:8, you could invite them to listen for a part of the body that is mentioned in both verses. Maybe you could play a game in which a child closes their eyes and you lead the child somewhere by the hand. How would it feel to have Jesus Christ lead us by the hand or to have His hand protecting us?

Gospel Media “He Will Lead Thee”

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2” Abraham wanted to be righteous even though members of his family were wicked. The Lord said to him, “I will lead thee by my hand” (Abraham 1:18). Just as God promised to help Abraham, He can lead the children you teach when they desire to choose the right. Testify that Jesus leads us by guiding us through His Spirit.

Friend January 2021 “The Party Problem” Luz felt uneasy about going to a graduation party. It didn’t sound like the kind of party where she’d be able to feel the Holy Ghost. She thought about it, made her choice not to go, and then asked Heavenly Father if that was the right choice. Afterwards she felt a wave of warmth and light and knew she had made the right choice. 

• Sing a song related to this principle, such as “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” (Children’s Songbook, 177).

The Lord Delivers Abraham from Wicked Priests

Heavenly Father Hears and Answers My Prayers.

Abraham 1:12–17; Genesis 16:7–11

God hears me.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2”

• When Abraham’s life was in danger, he called on God. When Hagar was alone in the wilderness, she learned that God heard her. Consider sharing these two stories with your children: “Abraham and Sarah” and “Hagar” in Old Testament Stories, 28–31, 32–33. What do we learn about God from these stories? Then you could share with each other experiences when you felt that God heard you. A song like “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13) could reinforce this principle.

• Display the picture An Angel Saves Abraham (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and invite the children to share what they know about the story it depicts, found in Abraham 1:12, 15–17. Ask the children to read these verses and share things they learn about prayer.

President Joseph Fielding Smith, commenting on the human sacrifices that took place during the time of Abraham, wrote: “Abraham was of the [tenth] generation from Noah. Several hundred years had passed since the flood, and people had multiplied and spread over the face of the earth. The civilizations of Egypt, Chaldea, Assyria and the petty nations of Canaan, had been established. In the midst of this scattering the true worship of the Father was nearly lost. Sacrifice instituted in the days of Adam and continued in the practice and teaching of Noah, in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of Man, had become perverted. Instead of offering clean animals, such as the lamb and bullock, the apostate nations had dwindled in unbelief to the extent that human sacrifice was offered to their idol gods” (The Way to Perfection, 85).

Hagar

Old Testament Scripture Stories “Hagar”

Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2” Reading about Hagar could be an opportunity to discuss how the Lord helps us when we feel wronged. You might point out that “Ishmael” means “God hears.” When have we felt that the Lord heard and helped us when we felt wronged? (see Genesis 16:11).

• Invite the children to share experiences when Heavenly Father answered their prayers, and share one of your own experiences.

Friend October 2018 “Canyon Prayer” Carsen and some family members get lost in a canyon while hiking. Carsen knew that Heavenly Father knew the way out so he suggested they pray. He then receives a prompting on which way to go, and they are able to quickly find their way out.

See also Teaching Children the Gospel “Prayer”

Abraham Gives Lot His Choice of Land

I Can Be a Peacemaker.

Genesis 13:5–12

Genesis CHAPTER 13 Abram returns from Egypt—He and Lot part—The Lord will make Abram’s seed as the dust of the earth in number—Abram settles in Hebron.

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2” When Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen disagreed over their grazing land, Abraham proposed a solution that brought peace.

• Your children might enjoy acting out the story from Genesis 13:5–12, pretending to be Abraham, Lot, and the herdsmen. How can we follow Abraham’s example of being a peacemaker with our family or friends? Try role-playing their answers.

Latter Day Kids “Abraham and Lot” Lesson ideas to go with the above video

• Read Matthew 5:9, and explain that Jesus wants us to be peacemakers. Help the children think of what they can do to be peacemakers at home or with friends. Invite them to draw a picture of themselves being a peacemaker. Ask the children to share how they feel when they are peacemakers like Jesus Christ.

“Cease From Anger” (February 2010 Friend)
Take this quiz to see how forgiving you are. When we are loving and forgiving, we can be peacemakers.

For the Strength of Youth January 2023 “Being a Peacemaker: Your New SUPERPOWER”

Older Kids:

Come Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2” We all face situations that tempt us to become frustrated and contentious. Consider how the story of Abraham and Lot could help the children be peacemakers in such situations.

• Write Main Characters, Setting, Problem, and Solution on the board. Invite the children to read Genesis 13:5–12 and identify the parts of the story listed on the board. Help the children think of situations when they could be peacemakers, such as when someone argues or tries to fight. Then invite them to role-play how they could be peacemakers in those situations.
• Help the children find the topics “Peace” and “Peacemaker” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite each child to select a scripture about peace and share what he or she learns with the class. Help them think of some examples of the Savior being a peacemaker, such as in Luke 22:50–51. How can we follow His example?

• “Matt and Mandy” (October 1994 Friend)
  Mandy learns to be a peacemaker by watching her mother’s example.

Bright Idea Poster: “Blessed are the peacemakers”(October 2010 Friend)

Friend June 2018 “Coloring Page”

Lesson 10: Abraham and Lot,” Primary 6: Old Testament Pages 39–42 To strengthen each child’s desire to show love to others.

Additional teaching ideas: Teaching Children the Gospel: Peacemaker and Resources for Teaching Children “Peacemaker”

Abraham Pays His Tithes

Genesis CHAPTER 14 Lot is captured in the battles of the kings—He is rescued by Abram—Melchizedek administers bread and wine and blesses Abram—Abram pays tithes—He declines to accept the spoils of conquest.

What do we learn about Melchizedek from Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:25–40? (in the Bible appendix; see also Alma 13:13–19). How can we “[establish] righteousness” as Melchizedek did? (verse 36). What else about Melchizedek’s ministry inspires us? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2”

Friend April 1994 “Melchizedek” Story of Melchizedek

Media Library “Melchizedek Blesses Abram”

Liahona February 2022 “Teaching about God’s Promises” Tithing Brings Gratitude

In Genesis 14:20, we read that Abraham paid tithing. Elder David A. Bednar has taught that spiritual blessings “are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing” (“The Windows of Heaven,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 18).

1. As a family, discuss the blessings you’ve seen from obeying the law of tithing.
2. Have one person write the blessings down.
3. Together, go through the list again and discuss some of the ways these blessings make your life better.

Elder Bednar also taught that “a subtle but significant blessing we receive [as we honor the law of tithing] is the spiritual gift of gratitude that enables our appreciation for what we have. … A grateful person is rich in contentment” (“The Windows of Heaven,” 18). How has your family seen gratitude as a blessing of paying tithing?

The Lord Makes Covenants with Abraham

Genesis CHAPTER 15 Abram desires offspring—The Lord promises him seed in number as the stars—Abram believes the promise—His seed will be strangers in Egypt—Then, after four generations, they will inherit Canaan.

Genesis CHAPTER 16 Sarai gives Hagar to Abram as his wife—Hagar flees from Sarai—An angel commands Hagar to return and submit herself to Sarai—Hagar bears Ishmael.

Genesis CHAPTER 17 Abram is commanded to be perfect—He will be a father of many nations—His name is changed to Abraham—The Lord covenants to be a God unto Abraham and his seed forever—Also, the Lord gives Abraham the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession—Circumcision becomes a token of the everlasting covenant between God and Abraham—Sarai’s name is changed to Sarah—She will bear Isaac, with whom the Lord will establish His covenant—Abraham and the men of his house are circumcised.

Old Testament Stories for Young Readers “Abraham and Sarah”

God wants me to make Covenants with Him.

Genesis 13:16; Genesis 15:1–6; 17:1–8; Abraham 2:9–11

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 & Come Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2”

• Consider showing your children a container of sand, the stars in the night sky, or the picture at the end of this outline. This could help them understand God’s promises in Genesis 13:16; 15:1–6. Talk about how you’ve learned to trust God’s promises, even when they seemed impossible.

• To teach your children about covenants, ask them to tell you about a time when they made a promise or someone made a promise to them.

Friend April 2021 “Trouble at the Creek” Brian doesn’t keep his promise to his mom to stay away from the creek after the storm. He crosses it on a fallen log and gets his foot stuck. 

Sometimes keeping our promises helps keep us physically safe, such as in the the story above. Keeping the covenants we make with Heavenly Father can also help keep us safe, spiritually and physically, and help us to become more like our Heavenly Father

• Share some examples of your own—including covenants you’ve made with God at baptism or in the temple. How have your covenants affected your relationship with God?

Friend February 2019 “The Baptism Covenant” Cut out and mix up these cards. Then take turns matching cards that go together. With each match, talk about that part of the baptism covenant.

• Help the children understand that Abraham and Sarah promised to obey God. Choose a few phrases from Genesis 15:1–6; 17:1–8; Abraham 2:9–11 to share some of the blessings God promised to them. These might include “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield,” “Thou shalt be a father of many nations,” or “All the families of the earth [shall] be blessed.”

Friend February 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities” Story: God told the prophet Abraham, “Fear not … I am thy shield” (Genesis 15:1). He told Abraham that He would help and protect him.

Song: “I Want to Live the Gospel” (Children’s Songbook, 148)

Activity: Draw or make a shield. Write on your shield ways you can obey God.

Liahona February 2022 “The Abrahamic Covenant” God promised Abraham that “as many as receive this Gospel shall be … thy seed” (Abraham 2:10). Our covenants at baptism and in the temple allow us access to the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and make us part of the covenant people of God, as long as we are faithful (see Ezekiel 11:20).

• To help your children prepare to make a covenant with God when they are baptized, you could use some of the activity ideas suggested in appendix A or appendix B.

I Can Keep the Covenants I Make with Heavenly Father.

Come Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2”

Come Follow Me Kid Keeping Promises – Talk about the importance of keeping promises and why it’s important to do what we say we will do.

• Assign simple tasks, such as: go wash your hands, go find something red, do 5 jumping jacks, etc.
• With each task, promise to give them some kind of small reward in return (M&M, Skittle, a sticker, high five, etc.).
• Ask: How would it feel if you didn’t get what you were promised after doing that task?
• Explain that when we keep our promises, it helps form a relationship of trust with that person.
• Can we ALWAYS trust God to do what He says He will? Remind them that God always keeps His promises to us

“Abraham and Sarah Made Covenants” (March 2018 Liahona and Friend)
Some information and a hero card about Abraham and Sarah. 

For Additional Teaching Ideas see Teaching Children the Gospel “Covenants” and Resources for Teaching Children “Covenants”

Additional Resources

Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026 Explains more about the Abrahamic Covenant

Institute: Old Testament Student Manual Genesis-2 Samuel Abraham could validly state that Sarah was his sister. In the Bible the Hebrew words brother and sister are often used for other blood relatives. (See Genesis 14:14, in which Lot, Abraham’s nephew, is called “his brother.”) Because Abraham and Haran, Sarah’s father, were brothers, Sarah was Abraham’s niece and thus could be called sister. The accompanying pedigree chart shows this relationship.

The Red Crystal Lesson ideas

Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2: I Will Lead Thee” Lesson Ideas