Have a hands on experience with Sacrifice. Have the students act out the sacrifice of Abraham's son, and the teacher be Ishmael.....

Moses 5:6 Tell the story so the students can picture it...... Adam takes a lamb and slits the throat. He holds it up so the blood can drain out and be collected, etc. He's done this many times---but didn't know why! But, he had learned obedience first! Then......after many days...... the angel came and explained it to him. Have the students ask themselves Why am I obedient to the prophet? Teacher testify of blessings that come from obedience----even when don't know why.

But, then Moses 5:7. The angel explalins! Adam continues offering sacrifices, but the experience is never the same as it was before. He has understanding and new meaning to the act.

Read Bible Dictionary on Sacrifice (If you're ever bored in a church class, start reading the Bible Dictionary. Lots of good stuff...) Six steps of sacrifice. It is a personal act for the person. The animal is a direct substitute. The cutting is the making of a covenant----baptism is a cutting of water, as was Moses, etc. thru the Red Sea. In the future the Mt. of Olives will be cut and Jews will recognize Christ as Messiah, etc. Blood is symbolic of the atonement. Now we have sacrament instead. Bread is broken, those who prepare and pass are sacrificing of their time to do so. The smoke that rises up is symbolic of the dedication going up to God. Ask students---if you actually did a blood sacrifice, and saw and felt this, how would it change how you feel about the sacrifice of Jesus?

• Greek word for Testament = Covenant
• Old Covenant = Law of Moses, school master
• New Covenant = Law of Christ

God's part of the covenant is always there---we are the ones who decide if we keep them or not. The Savior is always there for us.

Alma 46:12-21 Title of Liberty. As read OT, look for examples of tear, rend, cut, break, etc. What covenant goes with each? Alma 24:15-18 example, too----Anti Nephi-Lehites, bury swords (cutters)

The Lord gives us signs to remember our covenants---temple, sacrament, rainbow.

Abraham 1:1-2 When the Lord requires sacrifice he always promises blessings. when we had to give up pre-mortal life, got promise of better life after probationon earth. Abraham had to give up his family, his land, the religion of his fathers. But, they were replaced --eventually-- by numerous posterity, the promised land, and the fullness of the gospel. Genesis 12:2-3 mark the promised blessings. Ask students--what are your promised blessings now? Why are you in this place? Ponder on what the Lord has done for you in your life.

Gen 15:3-6 The Lord expands Abraham's vision, and teaches him by participation! Q. in v 8.....ans in v 9-10. Abraham takes animals, from wealth to poverty, and cuts them. v. 12 Satan tries to interrupt things. v. 17 The Lord passes through them! ask students, what does Satan try to interrupt in your life? Gen 17:2-10---statement of the Abrahamic Covenant

Circumcision is the cutting and bleeding on that part of the male anatomy which is used for pro-creation. That's why it is the token of the Abrahamic Covenant. (That's a good definition to give parents when you ask them to discuss this with their children before they ask about it in class and get embarrassed.)

Tokens for us:

• Linen over the bread and water on the sacrament table look like the shroud over a body.
• Sun rises in the east and goes west. That's the same direction as the path into the Holy of Holies in the Mosaic tabernacle.
• Genesis 7 and the rainbow to Noah
• I Nephi 21:15 The lord remembers more than a mother for her children. The token is the scars in his hands. God's promise is always there, in his hands.

• allow students the opportunity to discuss the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant. How does it apply today?
• Look for sacrificial offerings throughout the scriptures. Contrast this to sacrifices to idols.
• Help students realize that the Lord requires obedience to the law before he can bless us with the promised blessings.
• testify to the power of constant reminders. provide reminders---small physical objects, or word associations
• Memorize the scripture mastery verses. Power comes when you can do that .