God knew Abram and Sarai by name and promised them a son despite their old age. To remind them of his promise, God gave Abram and Sarai new names - Abram became Abraham, which means "father of many", and Sarai became Sarah, which means "princess". God also gave their future son the name Isaac, which means "laughter", as Abraham and Sarah had laughed at the idea of having a child in their old age. The session aims to help children understand that just as God knew Abram, Sarai and Isaac by name, he also knows each person by name. A variety of activities are provided to reinforce this message, including making name tags, dancing to music that includes calling out children's names,

1. SeSSion 8
Abram’s new name
AiM: To realise that God knows each of us by name
Helping children discover
Bible truths through play
Name signs Moving and Sowing seeds
10–12 minutes dancing 10 minutes
why to see that God knows each 5–7 minutes why to remember that God knows
one of us by name why to respond to the news that us all by name
with A4 card (preferably God knows each one of us by with one plastic tray per child (for
coloured), several sets of name example, the kind used for
the letters enlarged from with bright, joyful audio music packing vegetables), cotton
page 51 or the Web resources (recorded or live; see Web wool, a small jug of water,
(enough letters to spell resources) cress seeds, newspaper to
out the children’s names), cover table, care information
1 Before playing the music, talk
gluesticks, pens or crayons, from the Web resources
together about names. Listen to
stickers and/or other collage 1 This is best done with individual
the pattern of the rhythms as you
material to decorate children. Shape a large piece of
say each other’s names in normal
1 Give each child a piece of card and speech. Notice that some names cotton wool into the first letter of
help them to choose the letters that just have one beat while others the child’s name. This should be
make up their name. Tell them that have two or more. slightly smaller than the plastic tray,
they are going to make a sign which allowing plenty of room for sowing
2 Remind the children that God
they can put on a door at home. the seeds on the letter. Use this time
knows every person. He knows all
2 Help them paste the letters in the to talk to the child about their name,
our names. Try stringing the names
right order side by side, in the reminding them that God knows
together in small groups to make
centre of the card. their name, knows all about them
sound patterns. For example, say
and loves them.
3 Allow them to colour in the letters; ‘Josh and Benjamin and Sophia’.
then decorate the signs with 2 Place the letter on the tray and
3 Tell the children how good it is that
stickers or other materials. allow the child to water gently
God knows us all by name, and
around the cotton wool. They can
4 When everyone has finished, put invite them to move to the music.
then sow seeds on to it.
the signs on display on the floor or As they dance, they should listen to
a table. Admire the children’s work. the pattern of the music. 3 Tell the child that if they keep
the cotton wool damp, the seeds
5 Say that God knew Abram and 4 As the children dance, occasionally
will grow and form the first letter
Sarai’s names, just as he knows our pick out someone’s name and say it
of their name. They can then
names. When the children put their several times rhythmically in time to
remember that God knows their
name signs up at home, they can the music, ending with, ‘Thank you,
name! (Send notes home to explain
remember that. God, you know Naomi and care for
this: see Web resources.)
Naomi.’ Make sure that you say
everyone’s name before the
activity ends.
S e S S i o n 8 | Abram’s new name | Play and learn 47

2. Everything on this
page is ‘Ready to use!’
Using Bubbles 3 Look at the back of Bubbles Big
Sheet 8 together. Identify the
Name game
10 minutes 5 minutes
characters on the left and note their
why to see that God knew Abram new names. Invite the children to why to see that God knows each
and Sarai by name find them hidden in the picture. one of us by name
with Bubbles Big Sheet 8, (or Web 1 Sit or stand in a circle so that you
resources or Big Bonus can all see each other.
Sheet B, or words given here) Bubbles Big Sheets 2 Begin to describe someone, saying,
1 Talk together about people’s names: 5–7 minutes ‘Who knows the name of the person
the children’s own names, the why to realise that God knows I am talking about?’ Keep giving
names of those in their families each one of us by name clues, leaving pauses between the
and their friends. Point out that it clues to encourage the children to
with Bubbles Big Sheet 8, pens,
is important for everyone to have guess who it is.
crayons
a name. Ask the children why they 3 When the name is guessed
think this is so. 1 Help the children to write their
correctly, say, ‘Yes, it was Rachel.
names in the space provided on the
2 Talk about the names Abram God loves her and knows her
front of Big Sheet 8. (For those who
and Sarai (Sa-rye). See what the name.’
are not ready to write, do this for
children remember from previous 4 Repeat the game until each child
them while they watch.)
stories about them. Then tell the has been described and their name
Bible story: 2 Read out the prayer to the whole
guessed.
group, stopping after ‘It’s…’.
God said to Abram, ‘I want you to 5 Let the children take turns to
Point out that God knows each one
trust me and always obey me.’ describe another child, if they wish,
of us and he knows our names.
‘I will,’ Abram replied. Everyone will finish the prayer but whisper a name to them first,
Then God reminded him of the in a different way. so that they do not choose children
promises he’d made to Abram and whose names have already been
3 Go through the prayer for each
Sarai. ‘I promised you a new land guessed.
child. (Do this with small groups if
to live in and a big family one day. you have many children.) Encourage 6 Close by saying, ‘Dear God, we
Remember, I’ll give you a baby son.’ each one to finish the prayer with are so glad that you know us all
‘You always do what you say,’ their own name. by name.’ You can then list the
replied Abram.’ names of each person in the room
4 Point to the empty frame and read
(including leaders), encouraging
God told him, ‘I’m going to give you out the text: ‘This is me!’ Suggest
everyone to smile and wave when
something else. I’m going to give that they draw themselves in the
their name is mentioned.
you a new name.’ space, as a way of showing that
Abram was surprised. they are glad that God knows their
name. Let them draw freely – even if
‘A new name with a special
they decide to draw something else!
meaning. I will call you Abraham
se ONE of the Bibletch e
tim
because your family will be very
big one day. And Sarai’s new name
is Sarah which means “princess”
Choo
pages OR mix andrmap
because she has a special place in
my plans.’
Abraham was pleased with their
new names.
‘And your son will be called
to suit your g ou
“Isaac”,’ God told him. ‘Abraham,
Sarah and Isaac… I know your
names and I want you to be close to
me for ever.’
48 S e S S i o n 8 | Abram’s new name | Bible time Ready to use!

3. Genesis 17
Big picture Bible God reminded him of the things
he’d promised. ‘Abram,’ he said,
on a table, for instance) they should
lie on the floor hiding their eyes.
story ‘I promised you a new land to live 2 While no one is looking, tap
15 minutes in and I’ve kept my promise. I’ve someone on the shoulder to let
why to realise that God knows promised that you will have a big them know that you are going to
each of us by name family and I will keep my promise. cover them up with the sheet. They
with two sheets of backing paper I’ve promised you a baby son and I should lie still while you ‘wake’
large enough to draw around will keep my promise.’ everyone else up with the question,
a child, coloured pages from ‘Yes,’ said Abram. ‘You always keep ‘Who’s in the tent?’
magazines or catalogues, your promises.’ 3 The children should look around,
gluesticks or paste and ‘You are special because you trust trying to see who is missing. They
brushes, scissors for me to do what I say,’ said God. ‘So can then shout the name of the
adult use I’m going to give you a new name.’ person they think is ‘in the tent’.
1 Explain that you are going to make (Ask the children how they would 4 On the correct guess, the child can
large pictures of Abram and Sarai feel if someone wanted to give jump up. Say, ‘We know Holly’s
for today’s Bible story. them a new name. Surprised? name and so does God. Thank you,
2 Get two volunteers to lie on the Happy? Upset?) God, that you know us all by name!’
backing paper while you quickly ‘You will be called Abraham now,’ 5 Repeat to give everyone a turn.
draw around them. Decide which God told him. ‘The new name will
will be Abram and which Sarai. remind you that you will have a big
3 Tear or cut large pieces from the family one day. And I have a new
magazines or catalogues for the name for Sarai too. (Point to Sarai.)
children to cover the figures. Take She will be called Sarah which
special care with the faces, cutting means “princess” because there
out shapes for the eyes, noses and will be kings in your family one day.’
mouths. (Encourage the children to say
4 Cut around the figures while the the new names, pointing at the
children watch, talking about the appropriate figure.)
stories of Abram and Sarai from God had one more name to give.
previous sessions. What kind of ‘Abraham, because you laughed
house did they have? (Tents.) What at having a baby when you were
did God promise to give them? old, call him Isaac which means
(A land of their own, a big family.) “laughter”.’
5 Display the figures on the wall And when Abraham and Sarah’s
or floor. Ask, ‘What are their baby was born, they remembered
names?’ Say that our names are and called him Isaac!
very important to us. When people
meet us, they want to know our
names. Our families usually give us Guessing game
our names when we are born. But
sometimes it can be different…
prayer
5–7 minutes
6 Tell the Bible story:
why to be grateful that God knows
Abram and Sarai were getting old,
us by name
but they still had no baby. God had
promised them a big family. They
with a flat bed sheet or duvet
laughed to think of two old people cover
having a baby! 1 Let the children move freely around
Then, one day, God spoke to Abram. the room. When you give a signal
(Point to your Abram figure.) (ringing a bell, clapping, or knocking
S e S S i o n 8 | Abram’s new name | Bible time 3 to 5s 49

4. Genesis 17
Bible-story song Sing:
Name game
3 minutes Abraham talks to God. 3–5 minutes
Tell us what God is saying.
why to learn that God knew why to learn that God knows each
God says, ‘i know you’ll have a
Abram and gave him and his one of us by name
son.
family new names 1 Tell the children to scatter around
And i’ll give him a new name.’
with a storyteller, another adult the room. Help any who are not
Say: ‘Another new name! God gave
to represent Abram, a child sure what to do.
the baby boy the name Isaac. Even
or third leader to represent 2 Say, ‘When you hear me call your
before he was born, God knew
Sarai and a doll for Isaac, name, you can run to me.’
Isaac and had special plans for him.’
song words from the Web
3 Start to call the children’s names
resources
one by one, reminding them what
1 Place ‘Abram’, ‘Sarai’ and ‘Isaac’ Action prayer to do, for example, ‘Alisha, run to
beside you. Say that God promised me!’ (If anyone comes before you
3 minutes
Abram and Sarai that they would call them, quickly say their name as
have a big, big family. why to be glad that God knows me
they run towards you: do not tell
by name
2 Practise singing for the story. Sing anyone to go back.)
the first two lines to the tune ‘One 1 Stand together and say the
4 When everyone is together again,
man went to mow’. following prayer with actions:
say, ‘I know all your names, so I was
‘Abram’ should reply, singing God knew Abraham and God knew able to call you all to come to me.
the second part of each verse. his name. God knows your names too – every
Encourage the children to repeat the (Reach up high as though one of you.’ You could list the
last two lines with Abram. Practise measuring someone tall.) children’s names, smiling at each
singing these two lines with them God knew Sarah and God knew child in turn, adding, ‘God knows us
before beginning the story. her name. all. He knows our names.’
3 Say: ‘God spoke to Abram. I wonder (Lower your arm a little.) 5 Play the game again. Although it
what God will say to Abram…’ Then God knew Isaac and God knew is very simple, the children will
sing, with Abram and the children his name. probably enjoy it more the
replying. (Pretend to rock a baby.) second time!
Abram talks to God. God knows me and God knows
Tell us what God is saying, my name.
God is saying, ‘i know you. (Point to yourself.)
And i’ll give you a new name.’ I’m so happy, dear God, that you
Say: ‘A new name! God knew know me.
Abram very well. He gave him a (Clap hands.)
new name to show he’d keep his I’m so happy, dear God, that you
promise to give him a big, big know my name!
family. But God had more to say.’ (Wave arms excitedly.)
Sing:
2 Invite everyone to say their name
Abraham talks to God. in turn. After each one say, ‘God
Tell us what God is saying. knows and loves you Tyler’ even
God says, ‘i know who Sarai is if a child does not respond. Ask
And i’ll give her a new name.’ everyone to show how they feel
Say: ‘Another new name! God knew about God knowing their name
Sarai. He gave her a new name either by using words, their faces or
to show her that he’d keep his their actions.
promise. One day she would have
a big, big family. But God had more
to say…’
50 S e S S i o n 8 | Abram’s new name | Bible time under-3s

5. Copyright Scripture Union 2008
Bubbles for Leaders October–December 2008 Session 8
Enlarge this page on a photocopier or download from the Web resources.
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