Abram's Call Obstacle Course

Hello Friends! 

Today I'm sharing a youth Bible lesson and activity that I used while teaching about Abram's call and promise from God. 

Introduction:

Prior to class beginning, I had set out approximately 15 large plastic cups in our lawn. This was hidden from view as students walked into the youth room. The cups were arranged into a make-shift obstacle course. 

Before we exited the room, I asked the students who felt like going on an adventure? Once the student was selected, he was blind folded and led by another student out to the course. 

When the student was set up at the randomly selected "start" line, I began giving him instructions to move along the course. For example:

• take 3 steps forward
• turn to your left
• STOP! Whew, that was close (not really, but I wanted to emphasis the importance of listening to me...meanwhile the other students were trying really hard not to bust out laughing)
• get down and start crawling, make sure you don't hit your head on the pole (there wasn't really a pole, but he didn't know that)
• keep moving forward
• you're going to have to take a big hop to get over the next obstacle (again, there wasn't anything there)

Once he got to the "finish" line, he turned around to see the course. I should have given our friend a prize for completing the obstacle course, but I didn't think about it until much later.

As we debriefed, I asked:

• What was it like to move only following my directions?
• Did you ever want to take off the blindfold to see where you were going?
• Did you ever just want to stop and give up? 
• If I had given him a prize, I would have asked, Was the prize worth sticking it out to the very end? 

THE WHAT:

Read Genesis 12:1-8

• What are your observations?
• What does this make you think?

THE SO WHAT:

• The best that you can, describe Abram's current situation. 
• Why do you think Abram was so willing to just get up and go? What was he promised?
• How did Abram know where to go?
• What obstacles did he have to get past so that he could move on?
• It seems like Abram didn't hesitate in following God's directions. How easy is it for you to do what God is asking you to do?
• Once Abram entered the place where God wanted for him to be, he had to decide how he was going to conduct himself, was he going to live like the Canaanites or would he continue to be obedient to God. What was that like for Abram, do you think? How do you handle peer pressure? 

THE NOW WHAT:

• Think about your week that's coming up. What are you going to be involved in and how might you get prepared to do what God asks you to do?
• God promised Abram that he would be made into a great nation and that he would be blessed. Has God started to speak to you a big message? How might you use the things you enjoy doing or have a special ability for to serve God's people? 
• What obstacles might you face along the way? How are you going to remain determined to stick to the plan, even when you don't know for sure what the next step is supposed to be?

Close:

• Share with students the key verse for the week:
• I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2
• Remind students that following God in life will never be dull and boring, but rather, an adventure, with great and wonderful rewards along the way if we remain determined to stay the course.