Single lesson
Hagar and Ishmael in the Wilderness
Genesis 21:9–21
In this lesson, children trace the account of Hagar and her son in the wilderness, notice the choices each person makes, and see how the passage shows God hearing, speaking, and providing in a time of trouble.
Before you teach
This passage begins when Sarah sees Hagar’s son mocking and asks Abraham to send Hagar and her son away. Abraham is distressed, but God tells him to listen to Sarah and also says that Hagar’s son will become a nation because he is Abraham’s child.
Students will be able to put Genesis 21:9–21 in order and name at least two ways this passage shows God’s care in trouble.
Welcome: Trouble in the family
4 minAsk children to listen for who is involved, what problem begins the passage, and what God says. Explain that this story includes sadness and fear, so the class will speak about it carefully. Introduce the people named in the verses you will read: Sarah, Abraham, Hagar, and Isaac, along with Hagar’s son and the boy as the passage describes him.
Genesis 21:9, Genesis 21:10, Genesis 21:11, Genesis 21:12, Genesis 21:13
Read and explain: The sending away
7 minRead Genesis 21:9–14 aloud. Help children sequence the events: Sarah sees mocking, Sarah speaks to Abraham, Abraham is deeply troubled, God tells Abraham to listen to Sarah, and God says Hagar’s son will also become a nation. Then Abraham gives bread and water to Hagar and sends her away into the wilderness of Beersheba.
Genesis 21:9, Genesis 21:10, Genesis 21:11, Genesis 21:12, Genesis 21:13, Genesis 21:14
Discuss: When the water is gone
7 minRead Genesis 21:15–18. Point out what the passage actually says: the water runs out, Hagar places the child under a shrub, moves a distance away, weeps, and says she does not want to see the child die. Then God hears the voice of the boy, speaks to Hagar, tells her not to be afraid, and repeats that the boy will become a great nation.
Genesis 21:15, Genesis 21:16, Genesis 21:17, Genesis 21:18
Make and respond: Story sequence cards
8 minChildren make simple sequence cards for five moments from the passage, then place them in order and retell the story with a partner. Encourage them to include God’s words and actions, not only the human actions. Finish by asking each child to choose one card that shows God’s care most clearly and explain why from the verse.
Genesis 21:14, Genesis 21:16, Genesis 21:17, Genesis 21:19, Genesis 21:20
Closing: God heard and was with the boy
4 minRead Genesis 21:19–21. Summarise the ending: God opens Hagar’s eyes to see a well, she gives the boy water, God is with the boy, he grows, lives in the wilderness, and his mother gets a wife for him from Egypt. Review the lesson goal by having children say the story in order together.
Genesis 21:19, Genesis 21:20, Genesis 21:21
Questions to explore
What made Abraham feel very troubled in this passage?
Look at Sarah’s demand and then Abraham’s reaction to it to connect the cause and effect in the story.
Genesis 21:10, Genesis 21:11
What does God say that answers Hagar’s fear in the wilderness?
Notice both parts of God’s answer: first God says not to be afraid because he has heard, then he tells Hagar what to do next.
Genesis 21:17, Genesis 21:18
How does the passage show God’s care after the water is gone?
Look for God’s actions in the verses rather than guesses about feelings: he hears, speaks, opens Hagar’s eyes, and is with the boy.
Genesis 21:17, Genesis 21:19, Genesis 21:20
Make, think or respond
Five-Part Wilderness Sequence
What you’ll need
- Plain paper or card
- Pencils or textas
- Scissors
- Bible
Try it together
- Help children choose five scenes from the passage such as Sarah’s complaint, Abraham sending Hagar away, Hagar weeping, God speaking, and the well of water.
- Children draw one scene on each card and add the verse reference.
- Mix the cards and have children place them back in order from the Bible reading.
- In pairs, children retell the passage using the cards and include one sentence about what God does in the story.
This activity helps children sequence Genesis 21:9–21 and notice the outcomes and God’s actions in the passage.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare five headings on the board and let them match their drawings to the headings before sequencing.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to write one short caption from each verse on the back of each card and explain the choices and outcomes.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “God, thank you that in this passage you heard the boy, spoke to Hagar, and provided water. Please help us listen carefully to your word and trust your care when people are in trouble. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Genesis 21
9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.
10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this servant and her son! For the son of this servant will not be heir with my son, Isaac.”
11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son.
12 God said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For your offspring will be named through Isaac.
13 I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”
14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs.
16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.
17 God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.”
19 God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.
20 God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer.
21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.