Lesson: Romans 4:12 (Ages 9-11)

📖 Romans 4:12 – Ages 9-11

Explanation

In Romans 4:12, it talks about Abraham, who was a very special person in the Bible. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, which means he would have a lot of children and grandchildren.

Now, the verse mentions circumcision, which was a special sign that God asked Abraham and his descendants to have. But what's really important here is not just the physical act of circumcision, but the kind of faith that Abraham had in God.

You see, even before Abraham was circumcised, he believed and trusted in God with all his heart. He followed God's ways and obeyed Him because he had faith in God's promises. So, the verse is telling us that being part of God's family is not just about following certain rules, like circumcision, but it's about having faith like Abraham did.

Imagine if you had a best friend who promised to always be there for you. You would trust them and believe in what they say, right? That's how Abraham felt about God. He trusted God's promises, and because of his strong faith, he became a great example for all of us to follow.

So, even though we may not have the same rules as Abraham did, like circumcision, we can still be part of God's family by having faith in Him, believing in His love for us, and following His ways just like Abraham did.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, in a bustling forest, there lived a curious squirrel named Sammy. Sammy loved to explore and learn new things. One sunny day, he watched a wise old owl teaching young birds how to build nests. Sammy was fascinated and decided to try making his own nest.

As Sammy gathered twigs and leaves, he realized building a nest wasn’t as easy as he thought. Frustrated, he went to his friend, Wise Owl, for help. Wise Owl patiently explained that just like Abraham in the Bible, who didn’t have all the answers at first, it's okay not to know everything. What truly mattered was having faith and taking one step at a time.

With newfound courage, Sammy continued building his nest, following Wise Owl’s advice. And just like how Abraham became a father to many, Sammy's nest soon became a cozy home where all his forest friends gathered, showing that faith and perseverance can lead to great things.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for teaching us about faith through the story of Abraham. Help us to trust You like he did, even when we don't understand everything. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to "follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised"?
2. Why do you think it's important to have faith like Abraham did, even before he was circumcised?
3. How can we show that we are following in the footsteps of Abraham's faith in our own lives today?
4. Do you think faith is something we can see or touch, or is it something that is in our hearts and minds?
5. How can knowing about Abraham's faith help us grow in our own faith journey?

Life Application

This verse from Romans 4:12 is teaching us about faith and how it is not just about following rules or traditions, but it is about believing in God and trusting Him with our lives. Children can apply this message in their lives by understanding that being a follower of God is not just about doing certain things or following certain traditions, but it is about having a personal relationship with Him.

At home, children can apply this by talking to God in prayer, reading their Bible, and asking Him for guidance in their lives. They can trust that God is with them always, even when things are difficult or uncertain.

In school, children can apply this by being kind to others, showing love and compassion to their classmates, and standing up for what is right. They can trust that God will help them make good choices and be a light to those around them.

With friends, children can apply this by being a good friend, showing forgiveness and grace, and sharing God's love with others. They can trust that God will give them the strength to be a positive influence on their friends and help them grow in their faith.

Overall, children can apply the message of Romans 4:12 by remembering that faith is about believing in God and following Him with their whole heart, no matter where they are or who they are with.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity you can do with children aged 9-11 to help them understand and remember the message of Romans 4:12 is to create a "Faith Footprint" craft. Provide each child with a piece of paper and some paint or ink pads. Have them dip their feet in the paint or ink and then make footprints on the paper.

While the footprints are drying, discuss with the children the importance of following in the footsteps of faith, like Abraham did. Talk about how faith is not just something we say we have, but it's something we actively live out in our lives.

Once the footprints are dry, encourage the children to write or draw ways they can follow in the footsteps of faith in their own lives around their footprints. This hands-on activity will help them visualize the concept of walking in faith and living out their beliefs, just like Abraham did.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

In God's eyes, we're all family, you see,
Not just those with a mark, but those with faith so free.
Abraham's faith came before his sign,
So follow his footsteps, and God's love will shine!

Songs or Videos

A great Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Romans 4:12 is "Father Abraham Had Many Sons." This song teaches kids about following in the footsteps of faith, just like Abraham did. Another song is "The Faith Song" by Seeds Family Worship, which helps children learn about faith in a fun and engaging way. Both these songs can help kids understand and remember the message of Romans 4:12.

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