Bible story for kids · Genesis 15 and 21
Abraham counts the stars
Abraham was an old man. At first his name was Abram. He and his wife Sarah had no children.
One day God spoke to him. “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield.”
Abram said, “What can you give me? I have no children.”
God took Abram outside. “Look up at the sky,” God said. “Count the stars, if you can.”
Abram looked up. There were more stars than anyone could count.
God said, “That is how many people will come from your family.”
Abram believed God. And God counted his trust as righteousness.
Years later, when Abraham was 100 years old, God kept his promise. Sarah had a baby boy. They named him Isaac. Sarah laughed for joy.
From the Bible
He took him outdoors and said, “Look up toward the heavens and count the stars, if you can count them.” Then he told him, “So will your offspring be.”
Talk about it
- Have you ever tried to count the stars? How far did you get?
- Abraham had to wait a long time for God’s promise. What is something that is hard to wait for?
- Abraham believed God. What does it mean to trust someone?
Read Genesis 15 and 21 in the Bible
For grown-ups: what the text says
God changed Abram’s name to Abraham in Genesis 17:5, and Sarai’s to Sarah. This telling uses the names children know. Isaac’s birth is in Genesis 21:1-7, where Sarah says, “God has brought me laughter.” Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 in Romans 4 to explain faith.