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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain why the covenant with Abraham is still important to Christians today.

      Key learning points

      1. God made a covenant with Abraham, as he did with Noah.
      2. He promised Abraham and Sarah a son, even though they were very old.
      3. Jews and Christians remember and retell this story today.
      4. Many Christians interpret this story in terms of the importance of faith in and waiting for God.

      Keywords

      • Descendants - people who can trace their roots back to previous generations

      • Faith - trust and confidence

      • Perseverance - keeping going and not giving up

      • Covenant - a solemn promise

      Common misconception

      A promise is easy to make and keep.

      Promises are often long term and are difficult to keep.

      Teacher tip

      Children could reflect on how it feels to wait for someone to keep a promise to them. Have they ever made a promise that was difficult to keep?

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the words to their meanings.

      Correct Answer:ark,wooden boat

      wooden boat

      Correct Answer:flood,lots of water covering land

      lots of water covering land

      Correct Answer:promise,an agreement to do or not do something

      an agreement to do or not do something

      Correct Answer:rainbow,an arch of colours in the sky

      an arch of colours in the sky

      Q2.
      Where did God tell Abraham to go?

      Egypt
      Correct answer: Canaan
      Babylon

      Q3.
      What is a covenant?

      a city
      Correct answer: a solemn promise
      a rule

      Q4.
      What do Christians learn from the story of Abraham?

      Correct answer: the importance of trust and obedience
      how to build an ark
      that rainbows are a sign from God

      Q5.
      The story of Noah is only found in Christian teachings.

      true
      Correct answer: false

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      God promised Abraham that he would have children.

      Correct answer: true
      false

      Q2.
      Who came to see Abraham at his tent?

      Correct answer: three visitors
      a group of soldiers
      his grandchildren

      Q3.
      What did Sarah do when she heard she would have a baby?

      she cried
      Correct answer: she laughed
      she ran away

      Q4.
      What was the name of Abraham and Sarah’s son?

      Jacob
      Correct answer: Isaac
      Noah

      Q5.
      God made promises to Abraham. The special word for promise is ...

      Correct Answer: covenant, Covenant

      Q6.
      A promise is easy to make and keep.

      true
      Correct answer: false

      To help you plan your 2 religious education lesson on: The story of Abraham and Sarah, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...