Melchizedek Blessed Abraham- Sunday October 31, 2021
Sunday October 31 2021 (Vol 1, Unit 3, Session 2)
Hi there, and thanks for joining us this week. FriendshipKids exists to help families bring their children to Christ and disciple them to be maturing, lifelong, reproducing followers of Jesus Christ. We hope this blog will be a useful tool for you to use to fulfill that call on your life. Week by week, we will review the previous Sunday’s Children’s church lesson and help your kids grow in their faith. Please feel free to use as much of it as you choose. You know your kids and are the best possible teacher for them. God has given you the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you to do more than you think possible (Eph 3:20). So, let’s have some fun and teach our kids from the scriptures.
Parent Devotional
Melchizedek Blessed Abraham
We marvel at stories with two characters who are total opposites of each other. This is why so many stories feature some form of a noble hero and an immoral villain. The contrast of character and conduct is what drives the tension of the story.
In Genesis 14, we find two completely opposite kings: the king of Sodom and the king of Salem. One sought to get; the other sought to give. One sought to curse; the other sought to bless. One sought to take life; the other sought to give life.
These two rulers illustrate the spirit of the world and the Spirit of God, two forces actively at work in our world and in our lives.
This is why Paul reminded us in Ephesians 6 to put on the full armor of God. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand” (Eph. 6:12-13).
We live in the middle of a real fight between two opposing forces seeking to own our hearts. One, the evil spirit in our present world, like the king of Sodom seeks to take from us and generate chaos and confusion. The other, the Spirit of the living God, like the king of Salem seeks to give life and bring peace and joy.
In our present world, we must recognize that this battle goes on inside of every believer. And we must put on the full armor of God daily that we might withstand the attack of the evil one and faithfully commit to full submission to the Spirit of God. It’s not enough that we deny the evil one; we must say “yes” to God.
This battle is real and raging. And the people of God must fight with great resolve to ensure our allegiance remains to the only good King, the Lord.
TERMS TO KNOW
Priest: In Bible times, priests led people to worship God through sacrifices. Aaron the Levite and his descendants were priests. Melchizedek is the first person in the Bible to be called a priest.
Parent Guidance and Instructions
As we begin to explore this week’s devotional, take a moment to pray and meditate on the verse from Deuteronomy about teaching your children the scriptures. Deuteronomy 6:7 says: “You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Maybe you do not have time to sit and have an hour of Bible time all at once, or perhaps your children are too young to sit for that long. Consider the key points of the lesson and ask God to give you opportunities to speak them into the hearts of your children throughout the week. Let the Bible become a part of your day-to-day. Be blessed this week, my friends!
Each week we include songs, activity pages, the bible lesson video, and memory verses. We pray this will help you find ways to engage your kids spiritually. It is written in script form from the K-2nd grade lesson, so you can read directly from it or change it to suit your children. Take some time to look at and print the activity pages and to review the lesson so you can adjust as needed. Once you are ready, go ahead and start with these songs if you would like, or pick some of your favorite worship songs and then jump right in! Have fun! And remember, this does not need to be done in one sitting! Feel free to break it up over the week. Please contact us at the church if you have any questions or suggestions. We would love to hear from you!
Opening
“Blessings and Bummers”
Let’s get started. Tell me, what have you seen the Lord doing in your lives this week? What have your greatest blessings been? How about your biggest challenges?
Parents share your blessings and bummers, encourage the kids to do the same. The goal is for kids to see God at work in the everyday, seemingly small and mundane things. It doesn’t matter if it is something as small as getting to watch a favorite TV show or something big like a new baby sibling being born, God is active and in our midst.
Prayer
Let’s go to the Lord in prayer: Father God, Thank you. Thank you for providing for our needs. You are so good to us even though we do not deserve it! Thank you for continuing to bless us, Lord. Thank you for being patient with us. Thank you to our friends as well as our families. Most importantly, we thank you always for sending Jesus to live a perfect life and die to pay for our sins. Thank you for raising Him from the dead and promising us life with you forever if we believe in Him. Please help us be thankful for all you do for us and look to you in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Please add to or customize prayer time to fit your family)
Praise the Lord for hearing our prayers!
Think about it.
Can you think of a time that someone did something kind for you? Maybe you weren’t expecting it at all. What happened? How did you feel?
Spend a few moments considering the questions before moving into the next section.
Let’s go!
Hello! I’m happy you’re here. If you brought your Bible, hold it up. [Provide Bibles for kids who need one.] Can anyone tell me what the Bible is about? [Allow kids to respond.] The Bible is God’s Word. It tells us the wonderful story of God’s plan to rescue sinners.
The Bible tells us what is true about God and about ourselves. When you hear today’s story, think about ways God relates to people. Is He chaotic or confusing? Is He generous and peaceful?
Last time, we heard our new big picture question. Do you remember what it is? Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven [point up] and on earth [point down]. Nothing [shake hands side to side] is outside of God’s good [give a thumbs-up] plan.
Say that with me. You can do the motions, too: Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. Nothing is outside of God’s good plan.
Review
Last time, we heard about God’s covenant with Abraham. God made a covenant, or agreement, with Abraham. Do you remember the three things that God promised to give Abraham? [Allow kids to respond.] God promised to give Abraham a new land, to make him into a great nation, and to bless him.
Remember, God chose Abraham to be part of His plan to rescue sinners. God created people to know and love Him. He made people to enjoy Him and give Him glory. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered the world, creation was ruined. But God had a plan to restore the world.
Today’s Bible story took place after Abraham obeyed God’s call to leave his home. Before long, there was trouble in the land. Listen carefully to what happened.
Bible Lesson
Abraham believed God’s promise. We know that because Abraham obeyed God. He left his home and went to the land of Canaan. He walked around the land like God told him to do. Abraham’s nephew Lot did not stay in Canaan. He chose to live outside of Canaan, near—and later in—the city of Sodom.
The area where Abraham and Lot lived was not empty. Groups of people lived there, and each group was ruled by a king. Sometimes the kings formed alliances to defeat their enemies. In Genesis 14, we hear about five kings forming an alliance to wage war against four other kings.
The four kings won the war. What did they take from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? Look at Genesis 14:11-12. [Choose a volunteer to read aloud Gen. 14:11-12.] The kings took everything from the city—including Abraham’s nephew Lot! When Abraham heard about it, he decided to go rescue Lot. Was Abraham a king? No. Did he have a big army? No. But he took his servants—just over 300 men—and attacked the kings at night, rescuing Lot and bringing him, possessions, and the people who were captured in the war back to Canaan.
When Abraham returned from the attack, the king of Salem came to meet with him. What was the king’s name? Look at Genesis 14:18. [Choose a volunteer to read aloud Gen. 14:18.] His name was Melchizedek (mel KIZ uh dek). Say that with me: Melchizedek.
Melchizedek was a priest and a king—like Jesus. We don’t know a lot about Melchizedek from Genesis 14. He may have been an appearance of God in human form or a mysterious man sent by God. But if we read the New Testament book of Hebrews, we see that Melchizedek points us to Jesus. Look at Hebrews 7:1-2. [Choose a volunteer to read aloud Heb. 7:1-2.]
Melchizedek blessed Abraham. He also blessed God, who gave Abraham victory over his enemies. In response, Abraham gave Melchizedek one tenth of everything he got from the battle.
Christ Connection
Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness.’ Melchizedek reminds us of Jesus, an even greater priest and king who lives forever. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to bless all who trust in Him by providing forgiveness and eternal life.
Bible Time!
Distribute Bibles and display the Old Testament Kingdoms Map. Explain that Abraham traveled to the land of Canaan with his wife Sarah and his nephew Lot. Abraham and Lot separated. Abraham went to Hebron [Point to Hebron (I4) on the map], and Lot lived near a city named Sodom. Explain that we don’t know the exact location of Sodom, but it may have been near the Dead Sea. [Point to the Dead Sea (I6).]
Consider comparing the Old Testament Kingdoms Map to a modern-day map to help kids understand where this story took place. (Tip: Locate the area in and around modern-day Israel.) Guide kids to open their Bibles to Genesis 14. Choose a volunteer to read aloud Genesis 14:18-20.
Say Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High—the one true God who called Abraham to be part of His plan to save sinners. God promised to bless Abraham with land and a family. He promised to bless the world through Abraham’s family. Melchizedek reminds us of Jesus, the greater Priest and King who came to earth to rescue sinners.
DISCUSSION
Ask the following questions. Lead the group to discuss.
Say What is a priest? What role did priests have in Bible times?
Guide kids to recognize that priests are men whom God chose to do special work for him. In Bible times, priests came from one family—the family of Aaron, who we will hear about later. Priests led people to worship God through sacrifices and offerings. Point out that the first time a priest is mentioned in the Bible is with the introduction of Melchizedek.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Heb. 5:1.)
Say How should we respond to God’s blessings in our lives?
Lead kids to recall that God gave Abraham the victory. Everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Blessing and success comes from God. Abraham gave a tenth of everything he got back to God. He gave God credit instead of pretending that his success came from himself. We honor God when we give Him credit and thanks for His blessings. We can give back tithes and offerings, showing trust for His provision.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Prov. 3:9.)
Say How can we point others to Jesus?
Point out that as a priest of God, Melchizedek pointed Abraham to God who had given Abraham victory over his enemies. We too can point others to Jesus by acknowledging God’s blessings and blessing them by boldly telling what God has done for sinners through His Son, Jesus.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eph. 1:3.)
Key Memory Verse
Show the key passage poster. Lead kids in reading aloud Psalm 135:5-6 together.
Write the first letter of each word in the key passage on a chalkboard or dry erase board, drawing a short blank after each letter. Show the key passage poster and invite kids to read the key passage aloud once or twice. Then remove the key passage poster. Challenge kids to take turns saying the key passage from memory, using the first letters as prompts.
SAY God blessed Abraham, and Abraham trusted God. He believed that God is in control. The words of these verses can help us remember what is true about God. We can trust Him. Who is in control of everything? God is in control of everything in heaven and on earth. Nothing is outside of God’s good plan.
Lead kids to sing “For I Know (Psalm 135:5-6).” You may also choose to sing a worship song of your choice.
That is all I have for this week. Let’s pray together:
God Most High, thank You for Your Word. In this story about Abraham and Melchizedek, we see Your heart for Your people. You use ordinary people in Your plan. We bless You. Thank You for blessing us in so many ways and most greatly by giving us Your Son. Amen.
Thanks for joining us! I hope to meet you here again next week!
Thank you to Lifeway for allowing us to publish this lesson using their Gospel Project materials.
