count the stars

Open with Prayer: God, we thank you for this time together, for the technology that makes it possible, and the hearts that connect us. Be with us as we travel, join us in this journey, and help us see and hear you always. Amen.

Read: Genesis 15:1-6
The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.’ But the word of the Lord came to him, ‘This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.’ He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Talk:
What does the word “descendant” mean?
Merriam-Webster says the noun means “one originating or coming from an ancestral stock or source : one descended from another”

Why was Abram worried about his descendants?

Do you know whose descendant you are?
Who are your relatives from long ago?
Ask your family if you have famous relatives, or if they know when your relatives arrived in your hometown? Where did they come from? Why?

Have you ever tried to count the stars?
That’s how many descendants Abram had.
Did you know that you are one of Abram’s descendants?
We are sharing the life and hopes and dreams of Abram for those who came after him. And those who may come after us.

Have you ever asked your older relatives what they hope their descendants will do? Maybe this week you can call them and ask.

Finish with Prayer: 

God, thank you for making us all family within the descendants of Abram.

God, today we thank you for: (something or someone you’re grateful for)
God, today we need your help with: (something hard or difficult you need to do)
God, today please be with: (someone who may be sick, sad, or hurt)
We ask all this in Jesus’ name.

Amen