### Lesson Plan: The Promise of the Birth of Isaac
**Age Group:** Toddlers (Aged 2-4)
**Duration:** 20-30 minutes
**Objective:**
- To introduce toddlers to the biblical story of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah regarding the birth of their son, Isaac.
- To teach that God keeps His promises.
- To engage toddlers in a fun, interactive, and age-appropriate manner.
**Materials Needed:**
- Children's Bible or storybook with illustrations
- Simple puppets or stuffed animals (to represent Abraham, Sarah, and an angel)
- Coloring sheets depicting Abraham, Sarah, and baby Isaac
- Crayons or washable markers
- Simple craft materials (construction paper, glue, cotton balls)
- Music for a simple song related to the story
**Lesson Outline:**
1. **Welcome and Introduction (3-5 minutes)**
- Greet the children warmly as they arrive.
- Briefly introduce the topic: "Today, we are going to hear a special promise God made to a man and a woman named Abraham and Sarah."
2. **Story Time (5-7 minutes)**
- Gather the children in a circle and show them the pictures in the children's Bible or storybook.
- Read or tell the story of Abraham and Sarah, focusing on God's promise to give them a son, even though they were very old.
- Emphasize the key points: Abraham and Sarah wanted a baby, God promised them a baby, and they had to wait, but God kept His promise and gave them baby Isaac.
- Use puppets or stuffed animals to make the story engaging and interactive.
3. **Discussion and Questions (3-5 minutes)**
- Ask simple questions to help children recall the story:
- "What were the names of the man and woman in the story?" (Abraham and Sarah)
- "What did God promise them?" (A baby)
- "What was the baby's name?" (Isaac)
- Reinforce that God always keeps His promises.
4. **Activity: Coloring Time (7-10 minutes)**
- Give each child a coloring sheet with a picture of Abraham, Sarah, and baby Isaac.
- Provide crayons or washable markers and encourage the children to color the picture.
- As they color, talk to them about the story and how God kept His promise to Abraham and Sarah.
5. **Craft: Make a Baby Isaac (7-10 minutes)**
- Show children how to make a simple baby Isaac craft using construction paper, glue, and cotton balls.
- Help them cut and glue pieces together to create a small baby wrapped in a 'blanket'.
- As they work on their crafts, remind them that Isaac was a special gift from God.
6. **Song Time (3-5 minutes)**
- Teach the children a simple, repetitive song that reinforces the story. For example:
- (Tune: "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")
```
Abraham and Sarah dear,
God promised a baby here.
Waited long and God was right,
Baby Isaac was a sight.
Abraham and Sarah dear,
God’s promise was very clear.
```
- Encourage the children to sing along with you.
7. **Closing and Prayer (3 minutes)**
- Gather the children in a circle for a closing prayer.
- Thank God for His promises and for always keeping them.
- Say a simple prayer: "Dear God, thank You for keeping Your promises, just like You did for Abraham and Sarah. Help us to trust in You every day. Amen."
8. **Goodbye and Blessing (2-3 minutes)**
- Give each child a warm goodbye and a blessing as they leave.
- Hand them their colored pictures and crafts to take home.
**Notes for Teachers:**
- Keep the lesson simple and engaging. Use lots of visuals and hands-on activities to hold the toddlers' attention.
- Be patient and flexible. Encourage participation but understand that attention spans are short at this age.
- Repeat key points multiple times to reinforce the story and its meaning.