Genesis 12: 1-4a (NIV)
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave the country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 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. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.’ So Abram left, as the Lord had told him.” (emphasis mine)
Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (emphasis mine)
- Have a conversation with your class about journeys or trips they may have taken, either over the summer or at another time. Talk about preparations and plans in advance of leaving on the trip. Perhaps talk about feelings and emotions that may have been present as they were preparing for the journey. Include your own journey observations in the class discussion. Be an active participant in the learning process.
- Read the above passages and as a class, discuss what qualities and character traits Abram must have possessed to be able to leave his home and follow God to an unknown place.
- If time allows, you could read or watch The Pilgrim’s Progress with your class, again discussing the attributes of a pilgrim. With older students, create a list of pilgrim attributes and then turn the discussion to the idea that you as educator and they as students are pilgrims together along the journey of the school year. Discuss what character traits may be needed or will have the opportunity to grow in your pilgrimage together.
- For younger students, simplify the above suggestion with age-appropriate words. Create a knapsack or suitcase for the journey, filled with character traits needed. Make a classroom anchor chart to refer to throughout the year.
Together, both teacher and student are pilgrims, journeying to where God will take them.
