Mission Briefing
A Bible hero mission for kids about choosing peace when arguing feels easier.
Hero: Isaac
Virtue: Peace
Best for: Ages 6-12
Time: 10-15 minutes
You need: Three cups or bowls, a little water, four small pieces of paper and a pencil or marker.
Meet Isaac
God blessed Isaac, and he became very wealthy. The Philistines envied him and filled in wells that had been dug during Abraham’s lifetime. Abimelek told Isaac to move away, so Isaac settled in the Valley of Gerar.
Isaac reopened the old wells, and his servants also discovered a new well of fresh water. The herders of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herders and claimed the water.
Isaac named the well Esek, which means dispute. His servants dug another well, but people argued over that one too, so Isaac named it Sitnah, which means opposition.
Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time, nobody argued over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying that the Lord had given them room to flourish.
Later, Abimelek and his officials came to Isaac. Isaac did not pretend that nothing had happened. He asked why they had come after treating him with hostility and sending him away.
They asked Isaac to make a peace agreement with them. Isaac prepared a feast, and they made an oath to one another. Isaac then sent them away peacefully.
Isaac refused to turn the conflict into revenge. He created distance when necessary, spoke honestly about what had happened and accepted a peaceful agreement.
Peace means seeking what is right without revenge, unnecessary escalation or pretending that wrongdoing did not happen.
The later peace agreement is recorded in Genesis 26:26-31.
Want to learn more about Isaac? Explore Isaac’s Bible Hero profile.
Hero Skill: Choose Peace
Isaac did not pretend that the conflict was acceptable. He named the disputed wells honestly, moved away rather than escalating the conflict and later spoke directly about how Abimelek had treated him.
Choosing peace can mean:
- Speaking calmly and truthfully
- Finding a fair solution
- Creating distance from conflict
- Asking a trusted adult for help
- Releasing a small argument
- Refusing revenge
Peace does not require children to surrender necessary boundaries, remain near harmful behaviour or solve serious conflict alone.
Your Mission Today: The Well and the Walk
You will make three small wells and use them to practise choosing peace.
What You Need
- Three cups or bowls
- A little water
- Four small pieces of paper
- A pencil or marker
Step 1: Esek – Name the Conflict
Label the first cup:
Esek: Dispute
Choose a simple situation and complete:
“I felt ___ because ___ happened.”
Choosing peace begins with honestly recognising what happened.
Step 2: Sitnah – Decide What Help You Need
Label the second cup:
Sitnah: Opposition
Ask:
- Is anyone unsafe?
- Is this happening repeatedly?
- Is someone taking, bullying or excluding?
- Can calm words solve it?
- Do I need a trusted adult’s help?
Choose a possible response:
- Use calm words
- Suggest a fair solution
- Move away
- Ask a trusted adult for help
- Get immediate help if someone is unsafe
Step 3: Rehoboth – Choose a Peaceful Next Step
Label the third cup:
Rehoboth: Room
Write one safe next step on the fourth piece of paper and place it under the cup.
Say:
“Choosing peace does not mean pretending nothing happened. I can choose a safe and right response without revenge.”
Here are some situations where different peaceful responses may be needed:
- Someone took something I was using
- We disagreed about the rules of a game
- Someone repeatedly excluded me
- My sibling and I both wanted the same thing
- Someone spoke to me unkindly
- I felt unsafe or pressured
Talk About It
Ages 6-8: What did Isaac do when people argued over the wells?
Ages 9-10: How did Isaac show peace when Abimelek later asked for an agreement?
Ages 11-12: How did Isaac combine honesty, boundaries and peace instead of simply pretending the hostility never happened?
Peace Practice For This Week
When conflict happens this week:
- Pause: Do not react immediately.
- Name: What happened, and how did it affect you?
- Check: Is anyone unsafe, or is the behaviour repeated?
- Choose: Use calm words, find a fair solution, create distance or ask a trusted adult for help.
- Release: Refuse revenge and let go of small battles that do not need to grow.
Peacemaking is not always walking away. It means choosing the safest, wisest and most peaceful right response.
Parent Note
Isaac was a wealthy adult responsible for a large household. Children should not be expected to handle bullying, repeated exclusion, stolen belongings or unsafe behaviour by continually yielding and moving away.
Help your child distinguish between:
- A small disagreement they can release
- A conflict they can address with calm words
- A boundary that needs adult support
- A dangerous or repeated situation that an adult must address
Peace does not require forced reconciliation, immediate forgiveness without accountability or remaining near someone who continues causing harm.
Isaac named the hostility honestly before making the agreement. Biblical peacemaking makes room for truth, boundaries, protection and safe reconciliation.
Mission Prayer
God, thank You for being with me when conflict feels difficult. Help me pause, speak truthfully and refuse revenge. Give me wisdom to know when to use calm words, when to move away and when to ask a trusted adult for help. Help me seek what is right and peaceful. Amen.
Free Isaac Coloring Page
Keep the mission going with Isaac’s coloring page.
