Abraham and Sarah CD

Interactive Star Words

I. THE COVENANT

…an animated and narrated retelling of how God established the Covenant with Abraham and all generations. God’s voice in the Covenant animation was created by blending together several young people’s voices. Abraham is seen (partially pictured right) in a 3-D desert landscape with the nighttime sky rolling over head, and the smoking fire pot and torch passing over his offering.

After encountering the basic story, students will delve into the definition of “Covenant” and how THEY plug in to it today through a series of interactive study notes.

Theme: God chooses us to be his people.

“There is a land I know, where the nations come and they go, I’ll plant your people there, to show the world I care, O it’s true.” (lyrics from the opening title song)

Click the image of the “Scriptorium” to hear an audio clip of “I Heard a Voice Today” …the opening theme song to the CD:

II. SARAH’S STRANGE VISITORS and HER LAUGHTER

Sarah Speaks outside her tent through the magic of green-screen.

Sarah has a major section in this CD –her encounter with the Angels & God outside her tent. You’ll see and hear Sarah narrate the story and see it unfold in animation beside her. Students will then have the opportunity to hear Sarah’s thoughts on several subjects, such as, why she laughed at God. Questions are included for follow-up.

Theme: Sarah’s expectant happiness and hope is our hope too.

“Sarah, we can see it in your eyes… a world of hope, from your family will arise.” (from Sarah’s Song)

If they choose, students can also see a short animated song titled “Sarah” and reflect on the lyrics. This “songlet” was written to convey God’s global purpose in establishing the Covenant with Abraham and Sarah. 

III. The Near Sacrifice of Isaac

We sensitively retell this essential Abraham story through narrated animation, and an amazing 3-D music video that incorporates children and youth into the story as “witnesses.”

Theme: The scene, music, and effects help students dig into “why” God put Abraham and Sarah to the test, and points to the theological connection of this story to that of Christ’s sacrifice. Our 3-D animated altar scene is based on the actual archaeology of worship sites in and around Canaan during the time of Abraham. Go to our Abraham CD Resource Page to learn about the historical and archaeological basis for our spectacular 3-D re-creation of Abraham’s altar.

The song “O Father Abraham” written especially for this CD to help students understand Abraham’s obedience and God’s purposes. The song sounds like something the rock band U2 might have written. “O Father Abraham…..Did you believe enough in this God of visions? What was in your heart at the moment of decision?

Click the image to hear a clip from “O Father Abraham”

Scene from the music video.

We do something very special at the end of the 3-D altar sequence to help your students understand the important theological connection between Isaac’s almost sacrifice and the sacrifice/blood atonement of God’s Son. Go to our Abraham Resource Page for info about how and why we composed this section. In addition to these two special animation elements, we’ve created some interesting additional learning areas for this story: a narrated study notes, a “what is faith” flash presentation, and a Lyrics Study printout or ponder.

“O Father Abraham, see this sacrifice  …reveals the heart of God, it foretells the Christ. One world stopping, a new one just begun. No more death, in the rising of the Son…”

 IV. “Insane Fanat-asy”  …is our provocative title for a great activity!

“Insane Fanat-asy” is a rock ‘n roll music video & reflection activity. It asks the question ”How about you?” …What are you being called to? Where will you let your faith take you? What might people say about you if you told them you were turning your life over to God?

The song lyrics come from a young person’s real life experience: “I know what they’re saying about me…’throwing it all away’ ….a temporary form of insane fanat-asy, he’ll come ’round some day.” After watching the music video, students type responses to a series of questions which appear on the screen. These can be printed for discussion. They can also be viewed by later users of the CD at that computer to see what other young people are thinking about their faith.

Insane Fanatasy’s activity and song encourage students to think about how Abraham and Sarah’s crazy journey and example of obedience can strengthen their own.  This area is particularly well-suited to older children and youth.

V. Pay it Forward

Pay It Forward is the final learning area your students can launch into from the Scriptorium. It is a printable life-application page that walks your students through a creative and fun way to demonstrate how the fruits of the Covenant can be passed on to others. Includes printable activity and completion certificate for using the Abraham CD.

MORE ABOUT  THE CD’S BONUS CONTENT & ACTIVITIES

Also found on the “SCRIPTORIUM” Navigational Console is an interactive kid-friendly MIDDLE EAST MAP & MAP MATCHING GAME.   In the map matching game, students drag the correct modern names onto the correct location. When they do, another brief learning area appears with discussion options.

An INTERACTIVE TIMELINE of Bible History helps students put the Abraham story in context. It has roll-over hotspots.

The Study Console also includes an Abraham and Sarah Camel Race Quiz —a one or two person quiz that reviews the basics of their story and its meaning. Plus, the NRSV scripture texts of the CD’s stories.