Isaac Did Not Fight
Our story comes from the book, or part, of the Bible called Genesis. Genesis means "the beginning."
The Bible tells us about a man named Isaac. God gave Isaac lots of land. God blessed Isaac by helping him have many animals and servants. When the animals needed water to drink, Isaac and his helpers took them to a well.
A well is a hole in the ground that helps you reach water that is under the ground. The animals and people drank the water from the well.
The people who lived near Isaac were upset because he had more animals than they did. They filled Isaac’s wells with dirt so the animals couldn’t drink the water. But Isaac didn’t fight. He knew fighting doesn’t fix problems. The people told him to move away. Isaac didn’t have to go, but he packed his things and moved.
Clippity-clop. Isaac made a new home on his land for his family and animals. Diggity-dig. Isaac dug a well so his animals would have water to drink.
But Isaac’s new neighbor wanted the water for their animals. Isaac knew fighting doesn’t fix problems. He trusted God. He gave the people the well, packed up his things and moved away. Clippity-clop.
Diggity-dig. When the people saw Isaac had dug another well, they said “That water is ours!” Isaac still didn’t fight them. He just moved again. Clippity-clop.
Finally, Isaac dug another well. Diggity-dig. No one wanted to fight this time. Isaac finally had water for his animals to drink.
That night, God told Isaac, “Do not be afraid. I am with you. I will bless you with a big family, just as I promised your father, Abraham.”
Bible Paraphrase: Love is kind. (Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. – 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV)
Text Truth: God takes care of you and me.
Isaac left when the Philistines asked him to move even though he was right. He was in the land that God had promised to his father, Abraham. He faced his conflict without fighting. He left the issue of fairness to God. And God blessed him.
It’s hard to walk away form a fight—especially when you are right. It just doesn’t seem fair! But God will bless the peacemakers.
His Word tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” Matthew 5:9.
Trust the Lord to take care of the conflict and leave the issue of fairness to God. He will make all things right.
Use paper bag puppets to help your child think of ways to avoid fighting. Act out situations with your child in which the puppets fix a problem without fighting.
Use graham cracker sticks to build a well and then fill it with chocolate pudding “dirt.” Build at least two “wells.” As you enjoy your snack, talk about ways your child can avoid fighting.
Use old crayons and some waxed paper for this fun reminder that fighting doesn’t fix problems. Shave old crayons with a kitchen grater. Let your child sprinkle crayon shavings and glitter onto a sheet of waxed paper. Mixing lots of colors of crayons doesn’t make a pretty craft, just like fighting doesn’t fix problems. Fold the paper in half and iron on a medium setting until the crayons have melted together to make a beautiful design. Cut out a fun shape, like a star. Punch a hole in the shape and use a ribbon to hang it up.
Let your child use tissue boxes or other small boxes to build wells. You can then fill them in with paper wads. As you retell the story, emphasize how Isaac didn’t fight, but dug new wells instead.
When someone in your family has been in a fight, stop and ask God’s forgiveness and help to solve problems without fighting. Thank God when He helps you fix a problem without fighting.
Text Truth: God takes care of you and me.
Family Devotional
Then Abimelek said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.”
So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled.
— Genesis 26:16-17
Isaac left when the Philistines asked him to move even though he was right. He was in the land that God had promised to his father, Abraham. He faced his conflict without fighting. He left the issue of fairness to God. And God blessed him.
It’s hard to walk away form a fight—especially when you are right. It just doesn’t seem fair! But God will bless the peacemakers.
His Word tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” Matthew 5:9.
Trust the Lord to take care of the conflict and leave the issue of fairness to God. He will make all things right.
Activities You Can Do at Home
Puppet Play
Use paper bag puppets to help your child think of ways to avoid fighting. Act out situations with your child in which the puppets fix a problem without fighting.
Edible Wells
Use graham cracker sticks to build a well and then fill it with chocolate pudding “dirt.” Build at least two “wells.” As you enjoy your snack, talk about ways your child can avoid fighting.
Crayon Shavings Craft
Use old crayons and some waxed paper for this fun reminder that fighting doesn’t fix problems. Shave old crayons with a kitchen grater. Let your child sprinkle crayon shavings and glitter onto a sheet of waxed paper. Mixing lots of colors of crayons doesn’t make a pretty craft, just like fighting doesn’t fix problems. Fold the paper in half and iron on a medium setting until the crayons have melted together to make a beautiful design. Cut out a fun shape, like a star. Punch a hole in the shape and use a ribbon to hang it up.
Build Wells from Boxes
Let your child use tissue boxes or other small boxes to build wells. You can then fill them in with paper wads. As you retell the story, emphasize how Isaac didn’t fight, but dug new wells instead.
Ask Forgiveness and Give Thanks
When someone in your family has been in a fight, stop and ask God’s forgiveness and help to solve problems without fighting. Thank God when He helps you fix a problem without fighting.
-
Comments
Post a Comment