May 8–14

Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2

Seek for the Blessings of the Fathers

Start by reading Genesis 12–17 and Abraham 1–2. Come, Follow Me for individuals and families can help you understand these chapters, and this outline can give you teaching ideas.

Record Your Impressions

Improving Our Teaching

Children are active. At times you may feel that the children’s high energy in class distracts from learning. But you can build on their active nature by inviting them to act out a story or perform actions that correspond with events in a song or scripture passage. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25.)

Invite Sharing

The children you teach are always learning, even outside of class. Give them opportunities to share what they are learning about the gospel at home or in other settings, and look for ways to make sharing fun for them.

Teach the Doctrine

Younger Children

Abraham 1:12–17

Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.

These verses contain a powerful example of prayer: Abraham prayed to be saved from wicked priests who wanted to kill him. How can you inspire faith in the children that God will answer their prayers?

Possible Activities

• Help the children learn the stories described in Abraham 1:12–17. The picture An Angel Saves Abraham (medialibrary.lds.org) can help.

• Sing together “We Bow Our Heads” (Children’s Songbook, 25). Ask the children to repeat phrases that teach principles of prayer. You could also point out we can ask that “the Lord will keep us safe from harm” just as Abraham did.

• Use this week’s activity page to help the children learn the steps of prayer.

• Share an experience in which God anwered one of your prayers. Do the children have experiences they can share?

Genesis 13:5–12

I can be a peacemaker.

When Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen disagreed over land, Abraham proposed a generous solution that brought peace. You can use this example to inspire the children to be peacemakers.

Possible Activities

• Reenact the story in Genesis 13:5–12, letting the children take turns being Abraham, Lot, and the herdsmen.

• Act out a modern application of the story, such as choosing toys to play with and letting a friend choose first.

• Read Matthew 5:9, and explain that Jesus wants us to be peacemakers. Give each child an opportunity to finish the sentence “I can be a peacemaker by ” and then draw a picture of how he or she would be a peacemaker.

Genesis 15:1–6; 17:1–8

It is important to keep my promises.

Learning about the covenant that God made with Abraham may be a good time to help the children understand what it means to keep promises. This can help them prepare to make and keep covenants. You may want to explain that Abram’s name was changed to Abraham to help him remember his covenant.

Possible Activities

• Ask the children what they think a promise is. Help them understand that Abraham promised to obey God, and God promised to bless Abraham (see Genesis 17:1–8).

• Tell the children about a time when you made a promise and kept it.

• What are some simple promises the children could make and keep during class? For instance, ask them to promise to stay in their seats or put away their chairs at the end of class.

Teach the Doctrine

Older Children

Abraham 1:12–17; Genesis 15:2–6

Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.

When Abraham’s life was in danger, he called on God and was rescued. When he desired to have a child, he received a promise from the Lord. The children you teach may have their own experiences with prayer they can share.

Possible Activities

• Ask half of the class to read Abraham 1:12–17 and the other half to read Genesis 15:1–6. Give them time to share with each other the stories they read.

• On the board, display the picture An Angel Saves Abraham (medialibrary.lds.org). Ask the children to write something they learn about prayer from Abraham 1:12–17 under the picture.

• After reading Abraham 1:12–17 together, show the video “Deliverance of Abraham” (medialibrary.lds.org). Share an experience in which a prayer you said was answered, and invite the children to share their own experiences.

Genesis 13:5–12

I can be a peacemaker.

You may know the children in your class well enough to identify some situations that may cause them to become frustrated and contentious. How can you help them liken the story of Abraham and Lot to themselves?

Possible Activities

• Invite a child to come prepared to share the story of Abraham and Lot in Genesis 13:5–12.

• Help the children think of situations they might face that are similar to Abraham’s and Lot’s. How can they be a peacemaker like Abraham?

• Help the children find the topics “Contention” and “Peace” in the Topical Guide. Invite each child to select a scripture about one of these topics and share what he or she learns with the class.

Genesis 17:1–8; Abraham 2:6–12

Covenants are promises between me and Heavenly Father.

The children you teach are part of the promise that the Abrahamic covenant will bless all the families of the earth. Teaching about the covenant God made with Abraham can help the children think about their own covenants. You may want to explain that Abram’s name was changed to Abraham to help him remember his covenant.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to read Genesis 17:1–8 and Abraham 2:6–12 and mark what Abraham was asked to do and what the Lord promised him in return. Explain that we are blessed because of God’s covenant with Abraham.

• Show a picture of someone getting baptized (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 103 and 104). Ask the children to list the promises the person is making and the promises God is making (see Mosiah 18:10; D&C 20:37, 77, 79). How can the children remember their covenants?

• Invite a recent convert to talk about how he or she feels about covenants.

Encourage Learning at Home

How can you encourage the children to continue learning at home? For example, they could share how Abraham was a peacemaker and what they will do to be a peacemaker in their homes.

Sharing Time

Singing Time (25 minutes)

Select a variety of songs that reinforce the doctrine the children are learning. Here are some examples of songs:

• “Love at Home,” Hymns, no. 294

• “Keep the Commandments,” Children’s Songbook, 146–47

Share your testimony of the truths taught in the songs. Invite the children to share their testimonies as well.

Sharing by Children (10 minutes)

Create opportunities for children to share how they are learning and living the gospel.

Younger children

• Ask a few ward members to share experiences in which God answered their prayers.

• Invite each class to create and perform a brief skit that shows a way we can be peacemakers.

Older children

• Ask the children to share a blessing that Heavenly Father has promised them if they will keep their baptismal covenants. How have they seen this blessing in their lives?

• Invite the children to share the differences between contention and peace. How can we make our Primary a place where we feel peace?