abram worships god in canaan • lesson 10 bible...

147Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

Bible Point

Abram Worships God in Canaan • Lesson 10

God wants us to trust him and worship him.

Bible Verse“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5a).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n learn that God keeps his promises, n realize the importance of worshipping God, n encourage Pockets to think of ways she can worship, and n express their own praise and worship to God.

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn Abram worships God in Canaan.

When Abram and Sarai arrived in Canaan, the land God had promised them, they headed right into the center of the land, to Shechem, to what was apparently considered a holy place, the great tree of Moreh. It’s likely that people worshipped other gods there, but Abram stopped there to worship God.

Abram’s worship was rewarded when the Lord appeared to him and reconfirmed the promise God had made while Abram was back in his homeland (Genesis 12:2-3). Abram’s response in

building an altar to the Lord was the first in a series of altars that Abram built to commemorate experiences of spiritual significance to him. We don’t know exactly what this altar consisted of, but it was likely a raised area of stones or of earth. Abram was faithful in honoring the Lord, showing his trust of God in a public display of worship.

As Abram moved on, traveling farther into the land God had promised him, he once again stopped and built an altar (Genesis 12:8). Abram’s trust of God and his concern for worshipping God are obvious by his actions. God showed his love for Abram for bringing him to a land he would inherit, and in return Abram showed his love through worship.

Prayer• Read Genesis 28:10-22.• What parallels do you see between this passage and Abram’s building of an altar at Shechem?• What kinds of “altars” do we have today to remind us of God’s working in our lives and to thank him for what he’s done?• Pray: God, please help the little ones I’m teaching to grow up to serve and worship you.

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use. Refer to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies

columns to determine what you’ll need.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.

Genesis 12:6-9

Lesson 10

148 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

This Lesson at a GlanceWhat Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

Welcome Time

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“World Name Tags” handout (p. 27), markers, tape or safety pins

Let’s Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the optional activities until

everyone arrives.

Option 1: A Stone of My Own—Collect and decorate small stones for building an altar.

Markers or paint, stones

Option 2: Instruments of Praise—Make “joyful noisemakers” to praise God.

Oatmeal boxes, rocks, paper plates, beans, decorative items

Option 3: Tree-mendous Worship—Create a tree as they tell what they love about God.

Newsprint, newspapers, green paint, pie tins, sponges, paint shirts

Pick Up Our Toys—Sing a song as they pick up toys, and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Affirm each other, and learn what worship is.

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket or box

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Build their own altar as they hear from Genesis 12:6-9 how Abram built an altar to worship God.

Stones from Option 1, tree painting from Option 3, newsprint, CD player

Do the Bible Story—Share praises through clapping, rhythm, and rhyme.

Worship instruments from Option 2

Closing Praises for Pockets—Help Pockets think of ways to worship God.

Large rock able to fit in Pockets’ pouch, CD player

Crunchy Altars—Build altars, and share ways they can worship God.

Frosting, mini frosted shredded wheat squares, plastic knives, napkins, CD player

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

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Abram Worships God in Canaan


It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point over and over throughout the lesson will help kids remember it and apply it to their lives.

Welcome Timen Welcome!SUPPLIES: “World Name Tags” handout (p. 27), markers, tape or safety pins• Bend down to make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them how they put last week’s lesson into practice. Ask

questions such as “What happens when we trust God?” and “Why does God want us to trust him?”

• Say: Today we’re going to learn that God wants us to trust him and worship him.

• Hand out the world name tags children made in Lesson 1, and help them attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged or if some of the children weren’t in class that week, have them make new name tags using the photocopiable handout.

• Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate among the children to offer help as needed and direct children’s

conversation toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “What do you love about God?” or “How can we let God know that we love him?”

n Option 1: A Stone of My OwnSUPPLIES: markers or paint, stones

Lead children outside and have each child hunt for three small stones. Be sure students brush any dirt off the rocks before taking them back inside the room. Then allow children to use markers or paint to decorate and write their names on the stones. Have children collect and decorate extra stones for others who don’t choose this option. As they work, explain that today they’ll learn about when Abram built an altar of stones to show his thanks to God.

Have children place their rocks in a small pile on a table. You’ll need them for “Hear and Tell the Bible Story.”

n Option 2: Instruments of PraiseSUPPLIES: oatmeal boxes, rocks, paper plates, beans, decorative items

Set out several items from which children can make rhythm instruments. Consider bringing a variety of boxes, dry beans, rice, waxed paper, paper plates, a stapler,

Lesson 10


cardboard tubes, old keys, and jingle bells. Also set out decorative items like scraps of ribbon or fabric, yarn, crayons, markers, glitter, and glue. Direct children to create different noisemakers by placing the loose items, such as the keys, bells, and beans, inside the larger items. Allow children to be creative and find ways to make unique instruments.

As they work, tell children today they’ll hear how Abram worshipped God and that we can worship God through music. Remind them that God wants us to trust him and worship him.

n Option 3: Tree-mendous WorshipSUPPLIES: newsprint, newspapers, green paint, pie tins, sponges, paint shirts

Before class, draw a large tree trunk on a 24-inch square sheet of newsprint. Spread several layers of newspapers on the floor, and place your drawing on top. Set out pie tins of green paint (you may want to use more than one shade of green) and odd-shaped sponges.

Provide paint shirts or paper-bag smocks for children to wear. Show kids how to dip a sponge in the paint and then stamp it above the tree to make leaves. As children work, have them tell you all the things they love about God. Explain that Abram worshipped God near a big tree, just like the one they’re making. Tell children that God wants us to trust him and worship him. Set the tree in a sunny place to dry until you use it during the “Hear and Tell the Bible Story” activity.

When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to the Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n Pick Up Our ToysSUPPLIES: CD player

Lead children in singing “Pick Up Our Toys” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.” Encourage the children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

If you want to include the names of all the children in your class, sing the song without the CD and repeat the naming section. If you choose to use the CD, vary the names you use each week.

We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toysAnd put them all away.

There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys,Putting them all away.

(Repeat.)

Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSUPPLIES: none

Tell the children you’ll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap, the children are to stop what they’re doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Before class, inflate the inflatable globe. Gather the children to sit in front of you on the floor. Then say: I’m so glad you’re all here today because you’re a special group of children. Let’s toss this globe around the circle and tell our friends why we’re glad they’re here. I’ll start!

Toss the inflatable globe across the circle and complete the phrase: I’m glad [name] is here because… Say something affirming about the child who’s holding the globe such as “I’m glad Ashley is here because her smile makes me happy.” Then have that student toss the globe to someone else and complete the same sentence. When each student has been affirmed, put the inflatable globe out of sight.

Ask: • What was it like to hear nice things said about you? (Nice; it made me happy; I was embarrassed.)

• What was it like to say nice things about others? (Good; fun; silly.)Say: God likes to hear us say nice things to him, too. That’s called worship.

When we worship and trust God, it makes him very happy. God wants us to trust him and worship him. Today we’ll hear how Abram worshipped God.

Put the inflatable globe away for use in other lessons.

n Bible Song and Prayer TimeSUPPLIES: Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket or box

Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper into 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child, plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the star stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Genesis 12:6-9 in the Bible you’ll be using.

Have children sit in a circle. Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I’ll pass out surprise

cards. Don’t look inside your card until the song is over.Lead children in singing “Read God’s Book” (track 3) with the CD, to the tune of

“The Muffin Man.” As you sing, pass out the folded surprise cards.

Now it’s time to read God’s Book,Read God’s Book, read God’s Book.Now it’s time to read God’s Book.Let’s hear a Bible story.(Repeat 3x.)

For easier cleanup, add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap to the paint.

track 2



Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSUPPLIES: none

Tell the children you’ll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap, the children are to stop what they’re doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Before class, inflate the inflatable globe. Gather the children to sit in front of you on the floor. Then say: I’m so glad you’re all here today because you’re a special group of children. Let’s toss this globe around the circle and tell our friends why we’re glad they’re here. I’ll start!

Toss the inflatable globe across the circle and complete the phrase: I’m glad [name] is here because… Say something affirming about the child who’s holding the globe such as “I’m glad Ashley is here because her smile makes me happy.” Then have that student toss the globe to someone else and complete the same sentence. When each student has been affirmed, put the inflatable globe out of sight.

Ask: • What was it like to hear nice things said about you? (Nice; it made me happy; I was embarrassed.)

• What was it like to say nice things about others? (Good; fun; silly.)Say: God likes to hear us say nice things to him, too. That’s called worship.

When we worship and trust God, it makes him very happy. God wants us to trust him and worship him. Today we’ll hear how Abram worshipped God.

Put the inflatable globe away for use in other lessons.

n Bible Song and Prayer TimeSUPPLIES: Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket or box

Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper into 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child, plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the star stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Genesis 12:6-9 in the Bible you’ll be using.

Have children sit in a circle. Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I’ll pass out surprise

cards. Don’t look inside your card until the song is over.Lead children in singing “Read God’s Book” (track 3) with the CD, to the tune of

“The Muffin Man.” As you sing, pass out the folded surprise cards.

Now it’s time to read God’s Book,Read God’s Book, read God’s Book.Now it’s time to read God’s Book.Let’s hear a Bible story.(Repeat 3x.)

track 3

Lesson 10


After the song, say: You may look inside your surprise cards. The person who has the stars stamped inside his or her card will be our Bible person for today.

Identify the Bible person, and have the rest of the children clap for him or her. Ask the Bible person to bring you the Bible. Help the Bible person open the Bible to the marked place and show children where your story comes from. Then have the Bible person sit down.

Say: [Name] was our special Bible person today. Each week, we’ll have only one special Bible person, but each one of you is a special part of our class! Today we’re all learning that God wants us to trust him and worship him.

Let’s say a special prayer now and ask God to help us trust him and worship him. I’ll pass around this basket. When the basket comes to you, put your surprise card in it and say, “God, please teach me how to trust and worship you.”

Pass around the basket or box. When you’ve collected everyone’s surprise card, set the basket aside and pick up the Bible. Lead children in this prayer: God, thank you for the Bible and all the stories in it. Teach us today that you want us to trust you and worship you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySUPPLIES: stones from Option 1, tree painting from Option 3, newsprint, CD player

Bring out the Learning Mat: Abraham. Hang up the tree painting kids made during Option 3 near the Learning Mat, and spread a sheet of newsprint on the floor underneath it.

Have children retrieve the rocks they painted in Option 1. Distribute extra rocks to children who didn’t choose Option 1. Instruct students to sit in a semicircle around the mat so they’re facing the side with the picture of Abram worshipping God. Say: Our Bible story comes from the book of Genesis in the Bible. Our Learning Mat shows us pictures of our Bible story.

Today we’re going to learn of a fantastic promise God made to Abram. Who can act out one thing that Abram did in our story last week? (Children may pretend they’re packing up some things, act like they’re riding on a camel or donkey, or walk to another part of the room.) Abram trusted God when he traveled to a new country. He believed that God’s promises would come true. You can help me tell today’s story by building an altar with me. In Abram’s time, people built an altar as a special place to worship God. To help build our altar, you each have three small rocks. When I say the word altar, put one of your rocks on the newsprint underneath the tree.

Read the following story, pausing at the word altar so the children can place their rocks on the newsprint. You may need to help children stack their rocks as more and more are added to the pile.

Say: Last week we learned that God asked Abram to leave the city of Haran where people worshipped the moon god. God wanted Abram to move to a new land where people would worship the Lord, the only true God. Abram obeyed and took his wife, Sarai, and his nephew Lot. This week we’ll find out where God led Abram. God brought Abram hundreds and hundreds of miles to the land of Canaan. Now Canaan was no ordinary land! It was a

track 19

If you don’t plan to make a tree in class, you’ll need to make one ahead of time. You’ll find directions in Option 3 of Let’s Get Started.



very special place. The Bible’s book of Numbers tells us that Canaan was a rich land where things grew easily. It was land that was good for growing lots of tasty food. People in Canaan could grow peaches, pomegranates, figs, apples, apricots, plums, wheat, and all kinds of vegetables. Does that sound like a good place to live?

The Jordan River ran beside the land God promised to Abram. Parts of the land were rocky and wild with high mountains that overlooked green valleys.

Abram traveled all through the land until he came to a great tree. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to you and your family.”

What a wonderful promise! Abram felt so thankful to God that he built an altar (pause) right then and there to worship God. Abram believed that God would keep that promise. Abram trusted God. He wanted to show how much he loved God and that he believed the promise God made. That’s why he built an altar (pause).

Then Abram traveled a little farther to a mountain where he could see from one end of the land to another. All the land as far as he could see would belong to Abram and his family. He set up his tent and built another altar (pause). Abram’s heart was full of thanks and praise to God.

Return the Learning Mat to the Learning Lab. Abram was thankful for a safe journey and for the new land God promised. We have lots of things to be thankful for, too. It’s important to let God know that we’re thankful and we love him for all the things he does for us. Let’s gather around the altar we’ve built and share things we’re thankful for.

Children may share things such as their families, food, their homes, clothes, best friends, church, Jesus, or the Bible.

Say: There are so many things we can be thankful for! One thing we can especially thank God for is sending us his Son, Jesus. Jesus came to earth to die on the cross for our sins. When we believe in Jesus, we can be friends with him forever and live with him in heaven someday. That makes me glad!

Then ask:• Why is it important to let God know that we’re thankful to him?

(Because he deserves to be told; because the Bible says so; because he is God.)• How can we let God know that we’re thankful to him? (Sing songs;

pray and thank him; do things that make God happy; obey our parents.)Say: Thanking God and being forever friends with Jesus are great

ways to worship God! God wants us to trust him and worship him. Let’s sing a song about trusting and worshipping God.

Sing “Trust and Worship” (track 19) with the CD to the tune of “London Bridge.”

Lesson 10


God wants us to trust in him,Trust in him,Trust in him.God wants us to trust in himEvery day.

God wants us to worship him,Worship him,Worship him.God wants us to worship himEvery day.

n Do the Bible StorySUPPLIES: worship instruments from Option 2

Say: God is so pleased when we sing praises to him! Think about how pleased God was with Abram when Abram built an altar for God. Abram trusted God, and he showed God how much he loved him by worshipping him. Our Bible verse comes from Proverbs 3:5, and it says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Have kids repeat the verse with you. When we are trusting God, it’s easy to worship him. Let’s continue to worship God with rhyme and rhythm!

Form two groups and have them line up facing each other. If children made worship instruments in Option 2, allow them to use the instruments during this activity. Lead them in the following worship rhyme:

Group 1: Sing God’s praise and shout “hooray!”Group 2: Let’s—praise—God! (Clap on each word.)Group 1: We’re here to worship God today.Group 2: Let’s—praise—God! (Clap on each word.)Group 1: I’ll praise God this special way.After the final line, point to a child and have him or her share a praise, such as

“Praise God,” “I love God,” “God is wonderful,” or “God is great.” After everyone in Group 1 has shared a praise, have groups change roles. After everyone in Group 2 has shared a praise, have children form pairs and share their responses to the following questions.

Ask: • How do you think God feels when he hears your praise? (Happy; glad; smiley.)

• What’s good about praising God? (It makes God glad; it reminds us that God is good; it makes us feel good; it’s fun to sing.)

Say: God wants us to trust him and worship him. We don’t need to build altars to worship God. Telling God how much we love him is a terrific way to worship! Let’s see if Pockets knows what it means to worship God.



Closingn Praises for PocketsSUPPLIES: large rock able to fit in Pockets’ pouch, CD player

Before class, stuff a large rock in Pockets’ pouch.Bring out Pockets the Kangaroo and go through the following

puppet script. When you finish the script, put Pockets away and out of sight.

track 21

Pockets: (Panting) Oh, this is so heavy! I can hardly carry it!

Teacher: Pockets, what are you doing? You’ve got a huge rock in your pouch!

Pockets: Well, when I heard that Abram built an altar to thank God, I wanted to build one, too. I have so much to thank him for. But…oh, I’m so tired of carrying rocks!

Teacher: Pockets, I’m so glad you want to worship God. But you don’t have to build an altar every time you want to worship God. God wants us to praise him in other ways. Children, can you tell Pockets other ways we can worship God?

(Allow time for the children to share their ideas with Pockets. Children will probably say things such as sing praise songs, pray, and go to church.)

Pockets: Wow, there are a lot of things I can do to show God that I love him. And I don’t have to carry heavy rocks to do any of those things! Do you think you could help me get rid of this rock in my pouch? I think I’d like to bounce around to worship God!

Teacher: Sure, I’d love to help. (Remove rock.)

Pockets: Hey! Maybe you kids would like to bounce with me! Let’s jump up and down to celebrate how happy God makes us. Ready?

(Allow kids to hop up and down with Pockets for a moment. Then continue.)

Pockets: Whew, I’m tired! Worshipping God is sure fun!

Teacher: Now you’ve got it, Pockets! Can you think of one other thing you’ll do to worship God this week?

Pockets: There are so many ways for me to tell God I love and trust him! I want to do everything to worship God this week. But I think this week I’ll sing some songs about God.

Teacher: Let’s all learn a new song about trusting and obeying God.

(Play the CD and have children and Pockets sing “Trust the Lord” (track 21) to the tune of “Frère Jacques.”)

Lesson 10


n Crunchy AltarsSUPPLIES: frosting, mini frosted shredded wheat squares, plastic knives, napkins, CD player

Have children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink. Form pairs and give each pair a handful of mini frosted shredded wheat squares, a plastic knife, and a napkin. Set bowls of frosting in the center of a table. Have pairs work together to make mini altars by spreading frosting on the cereal squares and stacking

them up. One partner may be the Spreader while the other is the Stacker. As the children are building, encourage them to share one way they can worship God in the coming week.

When pairs have finished, pray: Dear God, we worship you and praise you! You are a wonderful God! Thank you for loving us. Please help us to remember to trust and worship you this week. In Jesus’ name, amen.

As the children eat their snack, play “With All Your Heart” (Proverbs 3:5a) from the CD (track 20). Lyrics can be found at the back of your teacher guide. Play the song a second time and encourage the children to sing along with the CD.

Have children wash their hands before going home.

Trust the Lord, trust the LordEvery day, every way.Turn to him and pray,Trust him and obeyEvery day, every way.

Pockets: That was fun! I’m going home to teach that song to my baby sister. Then she’ll know how to worship God, too! ’Bye, everyone. See you next week!

(Have children say goodbye.)Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

track 20

5.

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.



n Lively Learning: Worship WallTape a long sheet of shelf paper or several sheets of newsprint across one wall. Set markers and crayons on

the floor beneath the paper. Instruct children to make a “worship wall” by drawing things that show their love and praise to God and what they thank him for, such as hearts, praying hands, families, homes, pets, friends, and Jesus. Allow children to draw until the worship wall is full. Leave the paper up during the following weeks to remind children of all they have to praise God for!

n Make to Take: Paper-Plate StreamersSet out paper plates and items such as ribbon, metallic streamers, strips of

colorful cloth, or crepe paper streamers. Give children each a paper plate, and help them punch five or six holes around the edge. Allow children to decorate their plates using glitter, crayons, or markers. Then show children how to string a 12-inch length of ribbon (or streamers) into each of the holes and tie a knot, so the ribbons hang free. Repeat the worship rhyme from “Do the Bible Story,” and have children use their paper-plate streamers to celebrate and worship God.

n Treat to Eat: Fruits From the Land of CanaanCut up fresh or dried fruits that people in Canaan might have eaten, such as grapes,

raisins, dried apples, and apricots. Tell children that these are the delicious fruits that Abram might have found as he traveled through the land of Canaan. Have children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink. Before they eat, remind them to thank God for the wonderful varieties of fruit he gives us.

n Story Picture: Abram Worships GodGive each child a copy of the “Today I learned…” handout. Set out the following items for the children to

glue onto the picture: newspaper squares for stones, and toothpicks for sticks on the altar.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

5.

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Verse to Learn“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (Proverbs 3:5a).

Ask Me...l Why did Abram worship God?

l When do you worship God?

l How can our family worship God this week?

Family Funl Worship God as a family this week by eating a “praise

meal” together. Set out your best dishes, and decorate with balloons or flowers. As you enjoy your fruits and vegetables, thank God for the ways each family member is growing. As you eat your main dish, praise God for the way he’s given you all the things you need. During dessert, share the sweet, happy surprises God has dropped into your lives.

Today your child learned that God wants us to trust him and worship him. Children learned that Abram built an altar and worshipped God. They discovered that worshipping God means expressing their love and thanks to God.

Lesson 10

Abram Worships God (Genesis 12:6-9)

God wants us to trust him and worship him.

Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

abram worships god in canaan • lesson 10 bible...

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