Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Illustration for Abraham Believes God

Old Testament people Ages 5–10 Story 4 of 25

Genesis 12, 15, 22 · ESV memory verse below

Abraham Believes God

Who is this?

Abraham (first called Abram) believed God. God called him friend and promised blessing for the whole world through his offspring.

What happened?

God called Abraham to go; promised a land, a family like the stars, and a blessing for all nations. Abraham believed—and God counted it as righteousness.

The story

God said to Abram, “Go from your country… to the land that I will show you.” Abram went, just as the LORD had told him. He did not yet see the whole map—he trusted the One who called.

One night the LORD took him outside. “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them… So shall your offspring be.” The promise looked bigger than Abram could count.

Abram believed the LORD, and God counted that belief as righteousness. Faith is not pretending we see everything; it is trusting God’s word.

Later, on the mountain, God provided a ram. Abraham learned again: the LORD keeps His promises. Through Abraham’s family God would one day bring Jesus, the blessing for all the families of the earth.

Memory verse (ESV)

And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:6

Talk about it

Ages ~4–7

  1. Did Abraham go when God called?
  2. What did God tell him to look at?

Ages ~8–12

  1. What does it mean that God counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness?
  2. Why does God’s promise to bless all nations matter for us?
  3. Where is it hard for our family to trust God this week?

Family activity

Go outside at night (or look at a star picture). Count stars and say Genesis 15:6 together.

Parent take-home

Read Genesis 12:1–9 and 15:1–6 (add Genesis 22 if older children are ready). Linger on “he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Practice Genesis 15:6; pray for trust when God’s path is not yet clear.

Talk on the way home

  1. What did God ask Abraham to leave?
  2. What did God tell him to look at in the sky?
  3. How can we trust God when we cannot see the end?

Longer family guide: Week 4 on the family page.

Print coloring and activities (PDF) All children’s stories

In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (draw). Draw the main moment—keep it simple. Label one word from the story.

For parents and teachers

Keep Isaac’s story sober. God did not delight in the death of the boy; He tried Abraham’s faith and provided the ram. James 2 and Hebrews 11 both remember this day. Speak of God’s promise more than of Abraham’s nerve.