1. Explain what requirements God was expressing to Abram in the phrase "to walk before me and be blameless" (Gen. 17:1). Also see Deut. 10:12-13 & Micah 6:8.

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2. Considering Abram's age (17:1), what unlikely covenant blessing did God promise him (17:2, 4) ?

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3. What was Abram's immediate response to God's presence (17:3) and how does this serve as a model for believers today ?

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4. In what sense was God's covenant with Abraham "an everlasting covenant"? (17:7) See Hebrews 10:10-18.

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5. What would assure Abraham and his descendants of God's continued bless-ings (17:9) ?

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6. How does this same principle of believing God bring about righteousness in our lives today? Explain in your own words.

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 7. What was Abraham's initial response to the Lord's promise to give him a

son ? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 8. What plan of Abraham did God reject and, at the same time, reaffirm His

original covenant (17:18-19) ? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 9. What promise did the Lord make to Abraham with respect to Isaac and

Ishmael (17:19-21) ? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

2006

A New Name Genesis 17:1-8, 15-22

In this lesson we will study about the blessings of God on the life of Abraham in the form of a covenant. Most of us are familiar with covenants—or contracts as we call them. Most contracts are considered even trades. We give something and in return, receive something which we perceive to be equal in value. However, when we make a contract with God through accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, the blessings of forgiveness and fellowship we receive through this faith commitment far out-weigh what we give to Him.

November 1, 2015

In what way(s) has God made a personal covenant with you ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ What are some ways you can be used of god to be a blessing to others ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

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1. In 18:19, the Lord describes the essence of His relationship with Abraham. Read verse 19 in several translations—if available– and list at least three stages of this relationship.

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2. Why was Sodom and Gomorrah under God's judgment (18:20) ?

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3. What did God say He would do in 18:21 ?

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4. Where did the men visiting Abraham go next (18:21) ?

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5. In what ways is our society similar to Sodom and Gomorrah? Do you think God will ignore our sinful society ?

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______________________________________________________________ 6. Because of his close personal relationship with God, Abraham dares to re-

spond to God's judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah in an astonishing way. How does he respond (18:23-33) ?

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7. Why did the angels ask Lot if he had relatives living in Sodom (Gen. 19:12-13) ?

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8. What reason(s) can you think of for Lot's sons-in-law to think he was joking (19:14) ?

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9. How does Lot's actions (or inactions) resemble those of some carnal Chris-tians you may know (19:15-16) ?

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10. What warning did the angels give Lot and his family once they were outside the city (9:17) ?

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11. Why is the advice of the angels to "... run and not look back" (vs. 17) still good advice?

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2006

Where Wickedness Rules Genesis 18:20-25; 19:12-16

The major portion of today's lesson takes place in Genesis 18 and deals wit God's disclosure to Abraham of His intentions to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Though the cities certainly were deserving of God's judgment, Abraham bar-gains with God for Lot's sake—to spare the people. By contrasting the lives of Abraham and Lot, we can find reassurance of the benefits of righteous living in a morally corrupt world.

November 8, 2015

How would you compare our society to the culture in Lot's day ?

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As you examine yourself within your daily environment, how wouli you view yourself: Just trying to blend in? Standing up and mak ing my convictions known? Other? Explain how and why.

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PERSONAL APPLICATION

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1. How did God fulfill His promise to Abraham and Sarah (21:1-2)? Also see 17:15-19; 18:10-14.

______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 2. What does "Isaac" mean? Why was this name chosen for the son of Abraham

and Sarah (21:3, 5-7) ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 3. What occurred when Isaac was eight days old (21:4)? Why was this so im-

portant? Also see 17:12. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 4. What comparison can be made between physical and spiritual circumcision

(21:4)? Also see Col. 2:11. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ 5. How old was Abraham when Isaac was born (21:5) ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

6. How did Sarah respond to Isaac's birth (21:6-7) ? Why do you think she re-sponded this way ?

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 7. What do these verses tell you about Sarah's personality (21:6-7) ? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 8. Read Genesis 18:1-15. How is Sara's response to Isaac's birth (21:6) the

same as her earlier experience and how is it different ? _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 9. What prompted Abraham's feast in verse eight ? Why do you think this is a

significant event ?

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2006

Keeping His Promise Genesis 21:1-8

No one is exempt from times of feeling doubt, fear, pain, sorrow, loneliness, frustration, and despair.. .not even Christians. But during those times, it is important for the Christian to remember that God has promised "He will never leave us, nor forsake us." The great hymn writer, B.B. McKinney expressed this thought so well in the hymn Have Faith in God. "Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered, Your earnest plea He will never forget; Wait on the Lord, trust His Word and be patient, Have faith in God, He'll answer yet."

November 15, 2015

Why do you think people are so reluctant to trust God to fulfill his promises ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Write a note about a time when you claim God's promises and he proved faith-ful. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

PERSONAL APPLICATION

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1. According to 22:1, God tested (tempted - KJV) Abraham. What was the purpose for such a test ?

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2. Considering the fact that Isaac was the fulfillment of God's promise and that the promise of a great nation was yet to be fulfilled, what was God asking Abraham to give up (22:2) ?

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3. What was Abraham's immediate response to God's command (22:3-4) ?

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4. What did Abraham's willingness to obey this command illustrate about the depth of his commitment to God (22:5-7) ?

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5. Compare 22:8-10 and Hebrews 11:17-19. What did Abraham believe ?

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6. At the crucial moment, how did God respond to Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac (22:11-12) ?

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 7. God provided a ram in place of Isaac (22:13-14). How is Jesus like that ram?

Also see John 1:29; 11:49-52. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 8. Have you ever faced a situation in which you were required to give up some-

thing (a possession, a dream, a position, a person, etc.) in order to be obedi-ent to God? Explain. ?

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2006

The Faith Test Genesis 22:1-14

People often excuse their lack of obedience to God on the pretense of not fully understanding what He is seeking to accomplish in and through them. An honest evaluation of the account of Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, in obedience to God, will shatter such an excuse. Abraham could not begin to understand why God would fulfill His promise of a son—through whom He promised a great nation—and then instruct the sacrifice of that same son. It was beyond understanding. And that's the point. Though God wants us to understand His will, I am con-vinced that He is more pleased by our obedience that He is our under-standing.

November 22, 2015

What is the most difficult thing God has ever asked you to do? What is He ask-ing you to do right now ? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Are there things or areas in you life that, if you are completely honest, you know you would not be willing to give to the Lord? What are they and why? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Why not spend some time alone with the Lord this week and ask Him to guide you in living a sacrificial life that would honor Him.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

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1. According to Gen. 24:1-3, what oath did Abraham require of his servant (most likely Eliezer - see Gen. 15:2-3) ?

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2. What mission did Abraham give his servant (24:4) ? ______________________________________________________________

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3. Why did Abraham consider it so important that Isaac marry one of his kins-men rather than one of the Canaanites ?

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4. How could Isaac's marrying a Canaanite—an unbeliever—effect the promise to Abraham of a great nation ?

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5. How is this same principle upheld in the New Testament? See 2 Cor. 6:14 ?

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6. Abraham's servant prayed and asked God to allow several criteria to be met as a sign that he was choosing the right wife for Isaac. What were the signs he asked for (24:12-16)?

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7. To what extent was God involved in your selection of a life's partner ?

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8. If you are not married, what elements of this account can you glean that will put God at the center of your search? Write them out.?

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2006

God Provides Genesis 24:1-17

The Bible passage in today's lesson gives us a glimpse of the customs surrounding marriage in Abraham's day. Though the customs of this passage are foreign to the way couples meet and prepare for marriage today, there are nonetheless, some timeless principles of seeking God's will in a life's mate that will never grow obsolete. Of particular interest in today's lesson is the intensity in which Abraham continued as the spiritual leader in his family even though Isaac was a grown man.

November 29, 2015

Someone has well said that if a Christian marries one who is not a believer, they will have the devil for a father-in-law.

How important do you consider the advice of parents to be in the process of choosing a life's mate? Do you feel it has any place in today's society? Why? Why not? ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ Because he lived a godly life, Abraham left a spiritual legacy to Isaac. Are you leaving a spiritual heritage to your children or love ones? Think about it! If you can, list five things you can do to pass your faith on to your children. ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________

PERSONAL APPLICATION

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