Protect from Putting Themselves First

“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” Genesis 22:1-3 

How could Abraham put himself first here? 

How could Isaac put himself first here? 

Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his own son. It was the son that was promised to him. It was the one from whom God would later promise to multiply His people. Abraham followed through with this command. He could have easily told God that he was not going to do it, put himself and his own wishes for his son first. Yet, he put God first because he trusted God. Isaac was able to see this trust from his father and see the example of putting God first above himself. In turn, we must protect our kids and ourselves from putting our way first over God. God’s ways are better than our own, even when it seems confusing. We must trust God because He created us, loves us, and sent His Son Jesus to save us from our sins. It is important that we protect kids from putting themselves first and teach them that Jesus put God over Himself and obediently died on the cross for our sins. In turn, this saved all of us. 

We are going to play a question game. Adults you will ask a question to your kids and kids you will ask questions to your parents.  

Parent question for kids: Do you like to be first in line? (Bus stop, lunch line, line leader, recess, or store)  

Kid question for parents: Do you like to be first in line? (Getting a promotion at work, line at the Secretary of State, or grocery store) 

We all like to be first. No matter if we are an adult or a kid. Putting ourselves first is usually what is at the top of our mind when going through our day. 

Parent question for kids: Why do you like to be first in line?  

Kid question for parents: Why do you like to be first? 

Question for everyone: How can you, starting today, put God’s ways before yourself and protect your family from putting ourselves first?