That’s really true with the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis chapter 22. The story seems confusing until we understand that:
- God is holy and just.
- Humans have rebelled against our holy God.
- Sin separates us from God.
- The price we pay for our sin is death.
- God created a way for us to be forgiven our sin and reconciled with him.
- In the Old Testament, the plan for salvation was for individuals to believe in God’s promise of a coming Savior, and to sacrifice animals to pay the price for their sin.
- The promised Savior is Jesus.
- Jesus died to pay the price for the sin of all who believe in him, confess their belief, and repent of (turn from) their sin.
The story of the sacrifice of Isaac points to Jesus as our substitute on the cross. When God provides a ram in a thicket as a substitute for the life of Isaac, he was showing that he would also–one day–provide a substitute for the life of every believer in Jesus.
This simple paper plate craft is a great way to help kids think Genesis 22, and to teach them a little about the artwork of Gustave Doré!
Abraham and Isaac Bible Craft
The story of the sacrifice of Isaac is found in Genesis 22. Despite the title, Isaac was not truly sacrificed. Before you begin your craft, read the chapter together.
Talk about:
- What does Genesis 22:1 tell us about God’s intent? Why did he tell Abraham to offer Isaac as an offering?
- What did Abraham say to Isaac in verse 8?
- What did Abraham’s obedience with his only son show God in verse 12?
- What did God provide as a substitute for Isaac?
- What did God promise Abraham in verses 15-18?
- God hates child sacrifice. You can look up verses about that in Leviticus 18:21 and 20:2-5, Deuteronomy 12:31 and 18:10, 2 Kings 16:3 and 21:6, and more. God would never truly order something he himself considers to be wicked.
- Read John 3:16. What does Abraham’s willingness to send his only son to die for sin show us about what God the Father did for us through God the Son?
- What is God’s great plan for salvation? (Grab your free gospel poster with Bible verse cards here.)
The story of Abraham and Isaac (and the ram) points to God’s great plan for salvation. God the Father sent God the Son to die on the cross in the place of believers, as a substitute for us.
Abraham and Isaac Craft
Check out this fun video of the Abraham and Isaac craft!
Abraham and Isaac Craft for Kids Supplies
You’ll need a few supplies to make your Abraham and Isaac craft:
- Cardstock
- Paper Plate
- Permanent Markers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
- Printable Template with Instructions
Cardstock Paper
Fiskars Scissors[300 Pack] Bulk Disposable White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch LargeSharpie 30078 Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Classic Colors, 8 Count (Assorted)Elmers Washable No-Run School Glue, 4 oz, 1 Bottle (E304) – Pack of 2Elmer’s-E5010 Extra Strength Glue Sticks, 0.28 Ounces, 4 CountPentel Twist-Erase Express Mechanical Pencil, 0.5mm, Assorted Barrel Colors (QE415LZBP4), 4 pack
![[300 Pack] Bulk Disposable White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch Large](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qxKF4CHMS._SL500_.jpg)
Creating Your Gustave Doré Bible Illustrations Based Craft
Your Abraham and Isaac craft is based on a Bible illustration by Gustave Doré.
- Gustave Doré was born in Strasbourg, France on January 6, 1832.
- He died January 23, 1883, in Paris at the age of 51. He lived with his mother throughout his life.
- Doré began working for a newspaper making caricatures at the age of 15.
- Over his lifetime, Doré created more than 10,000 illustrations. He was so prolific, illustrating classic works, that up to 40 artists at a time worked to turn his illustrations into engraved wood blocks to ink and print in books.
- Doré also painted, sculpted, and kept art journals.
- In 1866, his collection of Bible illustrations published.
- You can take a look at a few of Gustave Dore’s Bible wood engravings here (some of his other works may not be appropriate). Talk about the significance of being able to envision scenes from Scripture.
You and your kids can make a representation of the biblical story of the sacrifice of Isaac in the 1866 The Trial of Abraham’s Faith wood engraving by Gustave Doré.
1) Print and cut out the template pieces.
Print the template pages from step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
2) Cut out the pieces for the Abraham and Isaac scene.
Trace and cut out the Abraham, Isaac, and landscape using the template pieces. Your child can choose the cardstock colors they prefer.
3) Create the landscape for your Abraham and Isaac scene.
Glue the bushes behind the tops of the hills, as shown.
Next, overlap and glue the mountains on the bottom of the round blue circle.
4) Assemble your Isaac figure.
Cut a slit in the hair. You may need to fold it in half. Use a permanent marker to trace individual sticks onto the bundle of wood. Trace an outline around the tunic. Glue the tunic to the body, then glue the belt to the waist.
Insert the head into the hair and glue them together.
Glue the bundle of wood between Isaac’s arms, behind the head, as shown.
Glue Isaac to the hill on the left.
5) Assemble your Abraham figure.
Glue the cloak over the tunic. Then, glue Abraham’s beard to the lower half of the face. Glue the hand under the sleeve of the arm. Cut a slit along the top of the head covering.
Insert the head into the scarf slit and glue them together as shown. Use permanent markers to traces the tunic and cloak, and to add folds in the cloth.
Glue the head and arm on top of the body, as shown.
Glue the staff into Abraham’s hand.
Glue Abraham to the right of Isaac, lower on the adjoining hill.
6) Complete your Abraham and Isaac scene.
Glue the Abraham and Isaac scene to a paper plate.
Display your Abraham and Isaac craft somewhere your child will see it as a reminder of God’s provision of a substitute to save those who love and follow him.
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Puzzle-Based Independent Bible Study for Kids!
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2, ESV
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- Observe: They pay attention to what they’re reading.
- Interpret: They figure out what the Bible means in that section.
- Apply: They decide how the truth of God’s Word impacts their life today.
There are a great many truths in life to be found—some interesting, some boring, and some that really matter. You can be the kind of investigator who spends time puzzling out important truth so that you can know all the knowable knowledge that God has given us. That’s right. God, the Creator of the Universe, gave you a great big letter from him to explore and study so that you can discover the truths that really matter to your life!”
Bible Investigators: Creation, (The Good Book Company, 2024), page 7
The Bible Investigators: Creation Bible study for kids, written by Danika Cooley and published by The Good Book Company, is 272-pages of learning, puzzles, and fun activities designed to help your kids become amazing independent Bible investigators–observing, interpreting, and applying God’s Word as they learn what the Bible teaches on a particular subject.
Bible Puzzles for Kids
Middle grade kids, aged 8-12, love puzzles. After all, their brains are just built for figuring things out and memorizing facts. Puzzles are a wonderful way to help kids develop logic skills and retain important information. And, the book is written in a fun, conversational tone your children are sure to love!
What types of puzzles and activities will you find in Bible Investigators?
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- Word Searches
- Crosswords
- Rebus Puzzles
- Dot-to-Dots
- Logic Puzzles
- Missing Letter Puzzles
- Cryptograms
- Word Sudoku
- Mazes
- How-to-Draw Pages
- Matching Pairs
- Word Scrambles
- Journal Pages
Every child is sure to find activities they’ll love!
Elementary-aged kids need hands-on middle grade resources that engage them and equip them to process important truths.
Bible Investigators is the perfect resource to teach your kids about an important biblical doctrine, while helping them apply God’s Word to their lives today.
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