The verse anchor
"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee."
Genesis 12:1 · King James Bible
The story
Long ago there was a man named Abram. He lived in the city of Ur, in a country very far away. He had a wife named Sarai. They had a comfortable house. They had everything they needed.
Then, one day, God spoke to Abram. God said, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee."
God did not tell Abram where he was going. God only said, "a land that I will shew thee." Abram would have to walk, and trust, and see.
God also gave Abram a promise: "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee… and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
Abram was already an old man — seventy-five years old. He had no children. But he believed God. The Bible says: "So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him."
He took Sarai his wife, and his nephew Lot, and everything they owned. They packed their tents on camels. They said goodbye to their home. And they set out — walking into the unknown.
For years they wandered. They stopped in Haran. They travelled through Canaan. Wherever Abram stopped, he built an altar of stones and worshipped God.
God's promise came true, though it took many years. Later God gave Abram a new name — Abraham, which means father of many nations. Sarai became Sarah. And when they were very, very old, God gave them a son, whom they named Isaac.
Through that one boy came the whole family of Israel. And from that family, many years later, came Jesus. Every promise God made to Abraham on that first day — a great nation, a blessing to every family on earth — came true.
One thing we learn
God does not always tell us the whole plan at the start. He tells us to trust him with the first step. Abraham took that step. So can we.
Memory verse
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out… obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
Hebrews 11:8 · KJV
Say it three times before bed. In seven days you will know it forever.
A prayer
Lord, when you ask me to walk into the unknown,
give me faith like Abraham.
I will hold your hand and go.
Amen.
Beneath the story · for grown-ups
To walk further with the household: