Free Bible lesson for kids · Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Count the Stars
The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield.” Abram still had no child, so God brought him outside, told him to tell the stars if he was able to number them, and said, “So shall thy seed be.” Abram believed the LORD, and God counted it to him for righteousness, as He does for all who believe in Jesus (Romans 4:3, 23–24).
- Bible passage
- Genesis 15:1–6
- Big idea
- God keeps His promises, so we can believe Him.
- Memory verse
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
After these things, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1). But Abram had no child. He told God that Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in his house, would be his heir (Genesis 15:2–3). The LORD answered that this man would not be his heir. Abram would have a son of his very own (Genesis 15:4).
Then God brought Abram outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them.” Then He said, “So shall thy seed be” (Genesis 15:5). Abram believed the LORD, and God counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). This was written for us too: God counts as righteous all who believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:23–24).
Read it in the Bible: Genesis 15:1–6 (KJV)
1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Questions to ask
What did God say He was to Abram?
His shield, and his exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1).
What did God tell Abram to count?
The stars, if he was able to number them (Genesis 15:5).
What did Abram do when God made His promise?
He believed in the LORD, and God counted it to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
What this story teaches
- God protects His people like a shield (Genesis 15:1).
- We can tell God honestly how we feel (Genesis 15:2–3).
- God promised Abram a family as many as the stars (Genesis 15:5).
- Believing God is what makes us right with Him (Genesis 15:6).
- God is able to do everything He has promised (Romans 4:21).
Jesus Was Raised for Us
Abram believed God, and God counted him righteous. Jesus died for our sins and rose again so all who believe can be made right with God.
Romans 4:24–25
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank God that we can trust every promise He makes. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God keeps His promises, so we can believe Him.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Genesis 15:6 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · activity · indoors · about 10 minutes
Count the Stars
You need: A big dark paper covered in hundreds of white star dots or stickers
- Show the star paper and ask the kids to count every star.
- Try for a minute. It’s too many!
- Read Genesis 15:5: “So shall thy seed be.”
God promised Abram more children than the stars. Abram believed God, and God counted it to him for righteousness.
For youth group · activity · outdoors · about 45 minutes
Stargazing Night
You need: A dark place, blankets, a star-map app
- Lie on blankets and find constellations with the app.
- Read Genesis 15:5–6 and Psalm 8:3–4.
- Talk: what does the size of the sky say about God’s promises?
The God who names every star kept His promise to Abraham, and He keeps His promises to us.
Pray
Thank God that we can trust every promise He makes.