The Boy and the Ram We Allow God’S Grace to Trans- 6 Form Us

| QUARTER 3 QUARTER | B YEAR YEAR

Grace The Boy and the Ram We allow God’s grace to trans- 6 form us. The Bible Lesson at a Glance POWER TEXT God teaches Abraham about grace by asking him to sacri- RPO WE IN O T fice his only son, the son of promise. Abraham and his son “So Abraham called that place The Lord P Will Provide. And to this day it is said, go to Mount Moriah, obeying God’s command. When Isaac questions where the sacrificial animal is, Abraham answers ’On the mountain of the Lord it will be simply, “God will provide.” Just as Abraham is about to provided’ ” (Genesis 22:14). God shows plunge the knife into Isaac, God stops him and shows him a ram caught by the horns in the brush. Abraham renames the KEY REFERENCES His grace by place “The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22:1-14 Patriarchs and Prophets, chap. 13, stepping into This is a lesson about grace. pp. 145-155 Grace is what God does for us that we cannot do for our- The Bible Story (1994), vol. 1, pp. our place to selves. God, not Abraham, is the hero of this story. The 168-176 essential lesson of grace is that God Himself provides the student story on page 72 of this save us. sacrifice. He dies in our place. By grace God gives us salva- guide tion.

OUR BELIEFS Teacher Enrichment Abraham and Isaac walked from Beersheba to Mount No. 10, The Experience of Salvation Moriah, near Jerusalem. They would have walked 50 or 60 No. 3, God the Father miles (80 to 100 kilometers) in about three days, across a No. 22, Christian Behavior river valley and up through limestone plateaus, past chalk cliffs. This barren and jagged landscape is almost desertlike OBJECTIVES in appearance, with little vegetation on the hillsides except The students will: low thornbushes. Leaves of plants are often hairy, thick, and Know Jesus has given His life for leathery, or coated with wax to prevent excess evaporation. them so they can have salvation. Almonds, pistachios, figs, and raisins, which were pressed Feel thankful for God’s gift of grace into cakes, provided nutrition for a long journey. The travel- ers would also have had to carry the water they needed for through Jesus. the trip. Respond by accepting God’s gift How has God provided for me? What has God done for me of grace through Jesus. that I cannot do for myself?

PPLTG_text_B3_2017r.indd 64 11/3/16 11:34 AM Welcome Welcome students at the door and Ask: What was the most interest- ask about their week. Debrief them ing part of the Bible story for you? on the previous lesson. Then ask What activity did you appreciate students to share a few things they most? Why? have learned from the current lesson Transition into the readiness prior to Sabbath School. activity of your choice. » 6The Boy and the Ram Program notes LESSON SECTION MINUTES ACTIVITIES MATERIALS NEEDED Welcome Ongoing Greet students at the door. Ask about their week. Review previous lesson and segue into this week’s lesson.

Readiness 10-15 A. Go for the Goal (p. 66) paper, crayons/markers, Bibles 1 B. Step Forward, Step Back (p. 66) small prizes Prayer 15-20 (p. 67) songbooks, world map, pushpins, offering plate/basket * and Praise Bible 15-20 Introducing the Bible Story (p. 68) six copies of Net Kids script (p. 158), name tags, simu- Lesson lated computers 2 Experiencing the Story (p. 68) Bibles

Exploring the Bible (p. 69) Bibles

Applying 10-15 Losers Win (p. 69) prizes, rocks, game 3 the Lesson

Sharing 10-15 Commitment (p. 70) paper, art supplies 4 the Lesson Closing A. Prayer and Closing Comments (p. 70) B. Reminder to Parents (p. 70) * C. Coming Up Next Week (p. 70)

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1READINESS ACTIVITIES Select the activity or activities that are most appropriate for your situation.

A YOU NEED: B YOU NEED: paper inexpensive prizes Go for the Goal markers/crayons Step Forward, Discuss the concept of goal setting (an end toward Step Back Bibles which effort is directed) and give some examples (studying To get the students thinking about the Bible more, making good grades, being kind). Divide God’s grace, have them form a line at one students into small groups, each with an adult facilitator. end of the room or outside in an appro- Give each group a large piece of paper and crayons. Ask priate area. Instruct them to take one step the groups to make a list of class and personal goals for forward or back in response to various this year. After three to four minutes, ask the groups to star their two most im- statements you make. Keep this moving, or portant goals that they all agree on. After two to three minutes, ask each group they will get bored. Add some examples of to report the goals they agreed on. However they are not to call a goal that your own that are more relevant for your has already been mentioned. As they name their goals, a teacher or facilitator group. Provide an inexpensive prize, such writes them on the board so all can see. (Leaders can collect all the goal lists as a healthy treat, for the “winners.” for further insight into the class.) Statements Debriefing If you were on time for Sabbath School Ask: How do you feel about the goals your group agreed on? (OK, great) today, take three steps forward. Are you really serious about achieving them? (Picture for them what they If you were late for Sabbath School, and your class could be like if they achieved the goals.) What do we need to take three steps back. do to accomplish these goals? (Encourage one another, work hard, study, If you like to swim, take a step forward. etc.) Read Romans 3:23. What is this text saying? (Even though we have good If you made your bed before you left goals, we sometimes miss the mark.) This is especially true when we try to home today, take two steps forward. do it on our own. But let’s say together the power text, Genesis 22:14: If you got out of bed without being ”So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day asked, take two steps forward. it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided’ ” (Genesis If you had to be asked to get out of 22:14). bed, take two steps back. If you treated someone in your family Ask: Upon what does being in God’s family depend? Being part of God’s kindly today, take three steps forward. family does not depend on what we do but on God’s grace—what He did If you treated someone in your family and does for us. Let’s remember the power point: unkindly today, take three steps back. God shows His grace by stepping into our place to save us. If you were angry with someone at school this week, take one step back. If you did not cheat on any of these questions, take three steps forward. If you cheated even once, take three steps back.

Debriefing Have the students return to their seats. Ask: How did you feel about the way it turned out? (It was not fair; it was OK; great.) Did the most deserving get the prize? (No, the least deserving did.) Give

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READINESS ACTIVITIES Fellowship Allow students to report things that they are pleased or troubled about. Acknowledge any birthdays, special events, or achievements. Give a special, warm greeting to all visitors. Get contact information from the adult who everyone a treat. brought them to church. Early in the following week, send Say: Fortunately, getting to heaven is not about a postcard or e-mail letting the visitors know how much what we deserve, but about what God has already you enjoyed having them in your class and that you would done by dying for us. In life we sometimes seem to like to see them again. be ahead; sometimes we seem to fall behind. Our job is to make sure we stay close to Jesus. Let’s say Suggested Songs together the power text, Genesis 22:14: “It’s About Grace” (See page 157) ”So Abraham called that place The Lord Will “You Are My Hiding Place” (He Is Our Song, no. 96) Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the “For God So Loved the World” (He Is Our Song, no. 43) mountain of the Lord it will be provided’ ” “For God So Loves Us” (Praise Time, no. 24) (Genesis 22:14). Mission YOU NEED: Say: Let’s remember the power point: Use Adventist Mission for youth and world map God shows His grace by stepping into our adults (go to www.juniorpowerpoints. pushpins place to save us. org and click on MISSION) or another mission report available to you. Using a world map, have the students identify and mark with pushpins the location where the mission story is taking place.

Offering YOU NEED: Collect the offering this month in a con- offering plate/basket tainer that symbolizes grace. It could be a jug or pitcher (God pours His grace into our lives) or a gift- wrapped box with a tag addressed to God from the Sabbath School class. Explain that we do not give our offerings so God will love us but in response to what He has done to show His love to us.

Prayer Thought Prayer: Begin prayer with the following sentence beginnings. Ask several students (all in a small setting) to complete the sentence you start. Add sentences of your choice that fit your particular situation. Pause between each thought. Say amen after the last thought.

“Thank You, Father, for the gift of grace, which gives us . . .” “We praise Your name for being so . . .” “We depend completely upon You because . . .” “Please help our class to . . .”

Close with a prayer for the students’ joys and sorrows, for the birthday and other special event celebrants, as well as for the visitors.

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2BIBLE LESSON

YOU NEED: YOU NEED: Introducing the Bible Story six scripts (p. 158) Experiencing the Story Bibles The Net Kids name tags Ask everyone to turn to Genesis You will need scripts for six students, simulated computers 22:1-14. Read the story, going around the class with each simulated computers, and name tags volunteer reading one verse. Stop the story at the following and/or flags with the names of the Net Kids on them. points to ask students to tell what they think of each charac- To introduce the Net Kids to your class, say: The Net Kids ter at certain points in the story. are an imaginary international group of children ages Stopping points: 11-14 who communicate regularly through e-mail. Emiko Verse 2, the first mention of Isaac. How do you picture and Darren met in a teen Christian chat room and found Isaac? out that they were both Seventh-day Adventists. They Verse 3, Abraham. What kind of father do you picture then created a chat room for Adventist juniors and teens Abraham to be? and the other four joined. They get together as often as Verse 4, end of verse. What do you think they saw in the they can through the Internet. distance? Verse 6, end of verse. How do you think it felt carrying Ulla: 11-year-old girl Sweden the wood? Ivan: 12-year-old boy Russia Verse 9. What must Isaac have felt as he lay bound on Tendai: 12-year-old boy Zimbabwe the altar? Ana: 13-year-old girl U.S.A. Verse 11. How might Abraham and Isaac have felt when Darren: 13-year-old boy Australia they heard God’s voice? Emiko: 14-year-old girl Japan Debriefing Arrange the students at desks, or chairs turned around as Ask: This is a story about God’s grace. What do you think desks if no desks are available. Have them tap as they read this story tells us about God’s grace? (That God puts their part, to simulate typing at a computer keyboard. Himself in our place.) Present the skit. (See page 158.)

Debriefing Ask: What did you learn from this skit? How does it help you understand the meaning of the word grace? What do you think grace is? What Bible stories do you know that show grace? (Any story in which God saves His people or gives victory or blesses His people—Jericho, Queen Esther, etc.)

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YOU NEED: YOU NEED: Exploring the Bible Bibles Losers Win prizes Ask: What is a ram? (a male sheep) In advance, prepare prizes or treats for rocks Why do you think that the animal caught in the thicket each student, and a pebble or rock for game was a ram? Have students read John 1:29. Say: Jesus is half of the students. Divide the class called the Lamb of God because He was the one sac- into two groups. Create a scenario or game in which the rificed for us. When sheep were sacrificed during Old losers “win” and the winners “lose.” Use a relay, treasure hunt, Testament times, they were a symbol of Jesus, who trivia game or other activity you may have in your class- would die to give us the gift of salvation. Let’s look at room. At the end of the game congratulate the losers and different things rams were used for: (Have students look offer them the “prize” that the winners deserve, saying: Here up and read the following texts and comment on what they is the prize that the winners have earned, congratula- find.) tions! Say to the winners: Here is a rock that the “losers” deserve. Genesis 31:38 food Wait for the reactions of the students. They will complain 2 Kings 3:4 wool for cloth that your choice to reward them in that way is not fair. Leviticus 5:15 guilt offering Numbers 6:14 peace or fellowship offering Debriefing Ask: Why do you think the rewards were unfair? How is Ask: What do each of these uses for rams remind you this like what Jesus did for us as the Lamb of God? How about Jesus? (If appropriate for your age group, discuss does this demonstrate God’s grace to us? Give the “win- Jesus as the Bread of Life, the Robe of Righteousness, the ners” the rest of the “real” prizes, and say: Because of what sacrifice to take away our guilt, and the mediator to bring Jesus did for us, we all get the prize that He deserves us back into peace and fellowship with God.) Let’s say and He took the death we deserved! As our power point together the power text, Genesis 22:14: reminds us: ”So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. God shows His grace by stepping into our place to And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord save us. it will be provided’ ” (Genesis 22:14).

Let’s remember our power point: God shows His grace by stepping into our place to save us.

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Closing 4SHARING THE LESSON *

YOU NEED: Prayer and closing comments: Commitment art supplies Close with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for Invite students to share if they had paper putting Himself in our place. Ask for His Spirit a chance to tell someone about the to go with the students as they share the good wonderful gift of God’s grace. Ask: Did you have a chance news of His grace. during the past week to encourage someone with the promise from Abraham’s story? Did you mention that Reminder to parents: God provides for all of our needs and that His grace Say: Check out the student Bible study guide offers solutions even to situations that seem hopeless? to find Parents’ Pages for your use in family How did your friend respond? worship, or however you wish to use them to spiritually guide your children. You may listen Challenge the students to think of the biggest disaster that to the podcast of the lesson online at www. could possibly befall them. Then assure them: There is no juniorpowerpoints.org/podcast.php?channel disaster too big for God, because He already provided =1. a solution to the greatest disaster of all. What does God consider to be the greatest disaster? Sin. Because sin- Coming up next week: ners will die forever. But we need not fear. God’s grace is Say: Jacob wrestles with God. Our heavenly available to us, and by accepting it, we receive the gift of Father blesses us when we seek Him. salvation. God shows His grace by stepping into our place to save us.

Using art supplies that you keep on hand, have the students take 10-15 minutes to create a poster, a greeting card, a song, or a poem that expresses specifically how God has provided for them. When time is up, have each one share what they have made with the class and explain how it will help them remember today’s power point. Challenge the students to share this good news of grace with someone.

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Student lesson The Boy and the Ram

Can you remember wanting something very clear, and this man of God has and honor the living God. The willing- for a long time, and then finally getting learned to obey it without doubting. ness of this young boy to sacrifice his it? Maybe it was a bicycle, a computer, Abraham slowly walked back to his life as a burnt offering is evidence to a pet, or a brother or sister. It is the most tent. Before the sun was up, Abraham his unshakeable faith in his Heavenly precious thing you have. Now, can you had his donkey saddled and loaded and Father. Isaac felt honored to be chosen imagine how you would feel if you were two servants ready to go with him. He as the sacrifice to God. asked to give it up? slipped into the tent where Isaac slept. Abraham picked up the knife and Gently he shook Isaac awake. “Come raised it into the air. Then suddenly braham pulled back the tent with me, son.” something happened. flap and slipped out into the Isaac rubbed his sleepy eyes. “Where “Abraham! Abraham!” a voice from Ainky blackness. As he looked are we going, Father?” heaven boomed. The voice froze up at the sky and saw the twinkling Abraham’s voice quivered. “We’re Abraham’s hand in midair. Isaac’s body stars he was reminded of a conversa- going to sacrifice to the Lord.” stiffened. Abraham turned around. tion he had had with God many years For three days the little group “Here I am,” he answered. before. “Look up at the sky and count trudged through the valleys and over “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” God the stars—if indeed you can count the hills. The hot, dusty trip was a said to Abraham. “Do not do anything them,” God had said (Genesis 15:5). quiet one. On the third day they could to him. Now I know that you fear God, The Lord promised Abraham that his see Mount Moriah in the distance. because you have not withheld from descendants will be countless as the Abraham’s servants made camp and me your son, your only son” (verses 11, stars of the sky. he instructed them, “Stay here with the 12). What would God and Abraham talk donkey while I and the boy go over Tears streamed down Abraham’s about tonight? The desert stillness sur- there. We will worship and then we will face. His son didn’t have to die! Then rounded him as he walked away from come back to you” (verse 5). Isaac put he saw something move in the bushes. the camp. The night wind was chilly the bundle of firewood on his back as A ram struggled to get his horns loose. even though the sand still felt warm Abraham gathered some coals from Abraham knew that God had provided through the soles of his sandals. the fire. the ram for this moment. Together “Abraham,” God called. Halfway up the mountain Isaac with Isaac, he bound the ram, placed it “Here I am,” he replied. stopped suddenly. “Father?” he asked. on the altar, and sacrificed it. “Take your son, your only son, whom “Yes, my son?” answered Abraham. Abraham and his son knelt in thanks- you love—Isaac—and go to the re- “The fire and wood are here, but giving. Suddenly Abraham realized gion of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as where is the lamb for the burnt offer- what God wanted him to understand. a burnt offering on a mountain I will ing?” inquired Isaac. We know what Abraham was thinking show you,” God told Abraham (Genesis Abraham answered, “God himself because he renamed the place “The 22:1, 2). will provide the lamb for the burnt of- Lord will provide.” He knew now that Imagine Abraham’s astonishment at fering, my son” (verse 8). he could trust God to provide for salva- the thought of having to sacrifice his At last they were at the top of the tion. With eyes of faith Abraham could beloved son, Isaac, for whose birth he mountain. Finally Abraham turned to see into the future and understand had waited until he was 100 years old. Isaac and with most tender love he that God would one day offer His Son, He must have wondered how God’s explained to his son God’s plan for the heaven’s greatest gift, to provide for plan concerning his family would be sacrifice. Isaac did not protest, nor did our salvation. Jesus sacrificed His life to realized if he sacrificed Isaac, his only he oppose his aged father. On the con- save us from sin. It is by faith in Jesus rightful heir. Yet after years of walking trary, Isaac allowed his father to tie his that we have eternal life. With this by faith, Abraham learned to recognize hands and feet as he lay on the altar. realization Abraham named the place God’s voice. The Lord’s command was He had learned from his father to trust “The Lord Will Provide.”

PPLTG_text_B3_2017r.indd 72 11/3/16 11:34 AM KEY REFERENCES POWER TEXT POWER POINT Genesis 22:1-14 “So Abraham called that place The Lord God shows His grace by stepping into Patriarchs and Prophets, chap. 13, Will Provide. And to this day it is said, our place to save us. pp. 145-155 ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be The Bible Story (1994), vol. 1, pp. provided’ ” (Genesis 22:14). 168-176 Our Beliefs, nos. 10, 3, 22

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