Single lesson
Abraham's Final Years and Burial
Genesis 25:1–11
This lesson helps children follow the last part of Genesis 25:1–11 in order. They will hear about Abraham’s later family, his choices about his household, his death and burial, and what happened to Isaac afterwards.
Before you teach
Genesis 25:1–11 gives a short summary of Abraham’s final years. It names Keturah and her descendants, tells what Abraham gave to Isaac and to the sons of his concubines, records Abraham’s age and death, describes his burial by Isaac and Ishmael, and ends by saying God blessed Isaac and that Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.
Students will be able to retell the sequence of Genesis 25:1–11 and identify that Abraham gave all he had to Isaac, other sons received gifts and were sent eastward, Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham, and God blessed Isaac after Abraham’s death.
Welcome: Listen for the order
4 minTell the children that this passage is a summary of Abraham’s final years. Ask them to listen for six main movements: Keturah and her family, Abraham giving all to Isaac, gifts to other sons and sending them eastward, Abraham’s age and death, Abraham’s burial, and what happened to Isaac afterwards.
Genesis 25:1, Genesis 25:5, Genesis 25:6, Genesis 25:7, Genesis 25:9, Genesis 25:11
Read and explain: Keturah, descendants, and Abraham’s choices
8 minRead Genesis 25:1–6 aloud. Explain that the passage first names Keturah and lists sons and later descendants. Then the focus shifts to Abraham’s actions. He gave all that he had to Isaac. He also gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and, while still living, sent them away from Isaac to the east country.
Genesis 25:1, Genesis 25:2, Genesis 25:3, Genesis 25:4, Genesis 25:5, Genesis 25:6
Discuss: Abraham’s age, death, and burial
6 minRead Genesis 25:7–10. Help students place the events in order. Abraham lived 175 years. He died at a good old age, full of years. Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field Abraham had purchased. The passage also says Abraham was buried there with Sarah his wife.
Genesis 25:7, Genesis 25:8, Genesis 25:9, Genesis 25:10
Make and respond: Six-card sequence line
8 minChildren make six simple cards for the main movements of the passage: Keturah and her descendants, all given to Isaac, gifts and sending others eastward, Abraham’s age and death, burial by Isaac and Ishmael with Sarah at Machpelah, and God blessing Isaac who lived by Beer Lahai Roi. Arrange the cards in order and retell the passage together.
Genesis 25:1, Genesis 25:4, Genesis 25:5, Genesis 25:6, Genesis 25:7, Genesis 25:8, Genesis 25:9, Genesis 25:10, Genesis 25:11
Closing: What this passage shows about God and people
4 minRead Genesis 25:11 again. State plainly what the passage says: after Abraham’s death, God blessed Isaac, and Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi. Also review what people did in these verses: Abraham made choices about what to give and where to send other sons, and Isaac and Ishmael buried their father. Finish with a full oral retell in order.
Genesis 25:5, Genesis 25:6, Genesis 25:9, Genesis 25:11
Questions to explore
What did Abraham give to Isaac, and what did he give to the sons of his concubines?
Compare the exact words in the passage. Isaac received 'all that he had', while the other sons received 'gifts'.
Genesis 25:5, Genesis 25:6
How does the passage describe Abraham’s death and burial?
Look for Abraham’s age, the words about his death, who buried him, and where he was buried with Sarah.
Genesis 25:7, Genesis 25:8, Genesis 25:9, Genesis 25:10
What does the final verse say happened after Abraham died?
Notice both parts of the verse: God blessed Isaac, and Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.
Genesis 25:11
Make, think or respond
Six-Part Story Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or textas
- scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Draw or write six key moments from Genesis 25:1–11 on separate cards.
- Mix the cards and spread them on a table or the floor.
- Work together to place the cards in the order the passage gives.
- Read the matching verse for each card and check the order.
- Retell the whole passage aloud, including the final detail that God blessed Isaac and that Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.
This activity helps children follow the full order of Genesis 25:1–11 and notice both people’s actions and the final statement that God blessed Isaac.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, write the six card headings in advance and let them add simple drawings before ordering them.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to separate family-list details in Genesis 25:1–4 from the main action statements in Genesis 25:5–11.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: 'God, thank you for your word. Please help us remember what this passage says about Abraham, Isaac, and your blessing, and help us listen carefully to you.'
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Genesis 25
1 Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
5 Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac,
6 but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac his son, eastward, to the east country.
7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years.
8 Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre,
10 the field which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife.
11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.