ISHMAEL — God Watches Over the Forgotten

Bible Setting: Genesis 16–21

Ishmael’s story begins when Abraham and Sarah were waiting for God’s promise of a child. Sarah gave her servant, Hagar, to Abraham so they could have a child sooner. Ishmael was born, and for a while, he brought joy and hope to their home. But as time passed, things became difficult. There was jealousy, hurt feelings, and a lot of confusion.

One day, Hagar and Ishmael were sent away into the wilderness. It was lonely, scary, and they didn’t know what would happen next. But here is the beautiful part of Ishmael’s story: God never forgot him. When Ishmael cried, God heard him. When Hagar was afraid, God comforted her. God promised that Ishmael would grow into a strong man and become the father of a great nation.

Ishmael teaches kids that even when life feels unfair—or when we feel left out—God sees us. God hears us. God cares for us. No one is invisible to Him.

For parents, Ishmael’s journey is a helpful way to talk about hard emotions like jealousy, rejection, or feeling alone. His story gently reminds children that God stays close, even in the toughest moments.

In The Good Fight card game, Ishmael reminds us God’s watchful love, even in wilderness times. When kids play his card, they learn that God is with them in every battle, especially when they feel forgotten or unsure of themselves.

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