More than a Promise

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Read: Genesis 17:1-10

TO CHEW ON: "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations." Genesis 17:4

Twenty four years after God said to Abram “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you,” Abram still didn’t have even one son, let alone a nation of sons. By the time he was 99 years old, can we blame him for thinking God had forgotten His promise?

Abram listening to God - Artist unknown

But now God came to Abram again and told him, “I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.... You will be the father of many nations.”

God gave Abram more than a promise. He called it a covenant. It is the strongest promise anyone can make.

Circle the things a covenant IS (look it up in the dictionary if you need to).

promise         wish        contract        lie         

dream         pledge

To prove Abram and Sarai He really would do what He said, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, and Sarai’s name to Sarah.

PRAYER: Dear God, I trust to keep Your promises even if it takes a long time. Amen.

MORE: Changing names

In Bible times, the meaning of a person’s name was important. Names told about people – what they did for a living and what they were like. Sometimes when a person’s life changed, their name was changed too.

Here are some Bible characters who were given new names. Match their old names with the new:

Look up the Bible references if you need help:
Abram – Genesis 17:5 | Sarai – Genesis 17:15 | Jacob – Genesis 32:28 |
Gideon – Judges 6:32 | Solomon – 2 Samuel 12:25 | Saul – Acts 13:9.


What’s your name?
What does it mean?
Does the meaning describe you?
I'm sure you like your name. But if you were to change it, what new name would you choose?
Why?

Answers

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.