Sunday Software's ABRAHAM & SARAH CD is unlike anything ever seen before or since in a Christian CD. We built a very UNIQUE INTERFACE for this foundational set of stories. This CD is visually engaging and musically rich, -with thought-provoking reflection content and a creative interface that brings alive these tremendously important set of Bible stories.

Introduction to the CD:

As the CD begins, your students sweep in over the Arabian Desert to the tune of "I Heard a Voice Today" --following Abraham and Sarah on their way to the land of Canaan. Students then come circling into "The Scriptorium" somewhere in the hills of Canaan. A large Scripture Console rises up in front of them. It is through the Scriptorium's Console that they will be able to launch themselves into five distinct learning areas and four additional learning areas.

Five major learning areas to explore:

I. The Giving of the Covenant
II. Sarah and Abraham's Visitors
III. The Near Sacrifice of Isaac
IV. Insane Fanat-asy
     (What will others say about me?)
V. Pay It Forward
     (A living out the call take-home activity)

Four additional interactive learning activities:

1. Scripture text - scrollable NRSV text of the stories for further study
2. Interactive Middle East Map game -kid friendly. Helps them see connection between then and now
3. Interactive Timeline  -helps students see where the story fits in to the Church's story
4. Abraham & Sarah Quiz   -a two-player/team horse race to see how much was remembered

LESSON DESIGN:

EACH of the first four learning areas are complete lessons in themselves -with open/dig/reflect content. The Stories and Activities can be used separately or in sequence. You can selectively get through the CD in one 45-60 minute class time, or approach the content over a period of hours or several class times. Some material is more suitable for older students, but there's plenty for all ages. Non-readers will need assistance, but will enjoy the creative interface and animation. Each area is full of interactive study notes, a variety of multimedia presentations, and questions to locate and discuss, and in some cases print out (or view onscreen).

MUSIC DESIGN:

This CD rocks. Abraham & Sarah CD features four "songlets" specially written for each story to both summarize and reflect on each story's meaning. They are combined with terrific animation, video, and special effects to get your students talking about "what they mean." The Lyrics are part of the learning/life-application content in each section and are also found in the Study Guide. Hear Music Clips from the CD.  View the lyrics and background notes on our songs.

Our customers rave about the music videos in this CD. Why? Because they really engage their students and are heavy on reflection.  It's not uncommon for teachers to view them with their students at least twice.

Outline of the CD:

I. THE COVENANT....a 3-D animated 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. Click the Covenant Graphic on the right to view a screenshot of the "Star Study Notes" which appear in the nighttime sky after the Covenant is given.

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)

II. Sarah's Strange Visitors

Sarah has a major section in this CD --her encounter with the Angels & God outside her tent. You'll 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.

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)

Pictured right: Our "live" Sarah was videotaped against a green screen. She was then "installed" in a 3-D animated scene outside her tent.

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. Hear a 1.3 mb song clip from "Sarah."

Click this icon > < to see a screenshot of Sarah's reflection activity.

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."

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. Click this thumbnail on the RIGHT 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?
Hear a 2.6mb O Father Abraham song clip from the CD.

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. Click here for a sneak preview of how 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..."
(from the interactive music video "O Father Abraham")

Click this icon to see a screenshot of the STUDY sections in the Sacrifice story on the CD.

  Read more about using this CD with younger children and teens

IV. "Insane Fanat-asy"  ...a provocative title for a great activity!

"Insane Fanat-asy" is a rock 'n roll music video & reflection activity that asks the question "How about you?" ...Where will you let your faith take you? What might people say about you if you told them you TOO heard God's call?"

---The song lyrics come from a real life episode:
"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."

Students type in their thoughts about faith and following God as prompted by the lyrics. 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 journey of obedience can strengthen their own. View a graphic from this interactive section of Insane Fanatasy.

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 section that will provide your students with 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.

Navigational Coolness...

The "SCRIPTORIUM" Navigational Console has an interactive kid-friendly MAP of the Middle East (both then and now) and a Middle East MAP GAME challenging students to put the name-places back in their correct location. When they do, another brief learning area appears with discussion options. Click the above links to see the graphics.

The Study Console also includes: a Bible timeline, Abraham and Sarah Quiz and viewable NRSV scripture texts of the CD's stories.

What's this CIRCULAR looking structure and stone-like control panel about? 
We call that "The Scriptorium" and it's mostly just a fun way to access the learning areas. Students travel into it at the beginning of the CD. The stone console rises up, and when you click a button, you are launched between the pillars out into a desert learning area. The stone Scriptorium also harkens to the Sacred Stone Altar that Abraham built. Mostly, however, we just wanted to make the interface COOL.