Genesis 16 · Grade 4
Running Ahead of God
Read and Think
God had promised Abram a son, but years passed with no child. Sarai suggested a plan: Abram would have a child with her servant Hagar. Abram agreed. But this plan came from impatience, not from asking God.
The plan brought hurt to everyone. Hagar despised Sarai, Sarai blamed Abram, and Abram stepped back. Sarai dealt harshly with Hagar, and Hagar fled. When we run ahead of God, our shortcuts often cause pain.
Yet God showed kindness to Hagar, a servant from Egypt who had little power. The angel of the Lord found her in the wilderness, spoke to her by name, and gave her a promise for her son. She named the Lord El Roi, the God who sees. God noticed the person everyone else overlooked.
Show What You Know
Why did Sarai suggest her plan?
What problems did the plan cause?
How did God show kindness to Hagar?
What name did Hagar give the Lord, and what does it mean?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- had promised Abram a son, but years passed with no child.
- Sarai suggested a plan: Abram would have a child with her servant .
- The of the Lord found her in the wilderness, spoke to her by name, and gave her a promise for her son.
- She named the Lord El Roi, the God who .
Think About It
When have you wanted to rush ahead instead of waiting? What happened?
Hagar felt alone, but God saw her. How can you show God's care to someone who feels alone?
Memory Verse
“She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?””
Genesis 16:13 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you notice someone others overlook?
- When have you tried to fix things your own way, and how can you wait on God?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.