PowerPoint Presentation

Gods Touchpoints 6: - Lesson 6: Abraham Soaring Faith, OT Summary, Fall to Flood The Patriarchal Ages The Judges The Reign of Royalty The Prophetic Era

The Patriarchal Ages - , - - - - - - - Israel

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The Patriarchs of Israel - - - - Abraham - Soaring FaithIsaac - Winging FaithJacob - Clinging FaithJoseph Unwavering Faith

Objectives

To:Appreciate the consistently growing faith of AbrahamDifferentiate between Abraham and Lots approach to the same journeyBelieve God fulfils His promises

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Abraham Soaring FaithPresentation Overview -Read Gen 12-23Background of AbrahamAbrahams JourneyAbrahams Faith Chart Soaring FaithLots Faith Chart Staggering FaithAbraham vs. Lot A Common Start, An Opposite FinishGod Fulfils His PromisesDiscussionNote: Reference Material is available in the notes section

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Background of Abraham 75 80 100 Called from Ur of the Chaldees (probably in his sixties). Went to Haran with his father. Blessed by God.Answered Gods call on his fathers death at age 75.Continues to experience Gods providence.Gives birth to Ishmael in his mid 80sFinally gives birth to Isaac around the age of 100.Asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac as a test of faith.

While Abraham was still living in Ur of the Chaldees (in modern Iraq), he was saved by an angel from being sacrificed to a pagan god. it sounds like Terah's devotion to Abraham's God was motivated mostly by hunger, and that he stopped en route. Abraham and the others apparently stayed with him for some time in Haran, but finally Abraham prayed for guidance. The Lord appeared to him and commanded him and his nephew Lot to continue on, adding that Abraham would become a great nation (Abr. 2:6,9). The record states that he left Haran at age 62 (Abr. 2:14).IsaacAbraham, at age 99 and having only one child Ishmael, who was then 13 years old, must have been content that he had secured the covenant he had sought with the Lord (Abr. 1:2). He probably wasn't expecting much else to happen. Then the Lord surprised him in his old age with an extremely eventful week.First, the Lord made a new covenant with Abraham. The Lord changed his name from Abram to Abraham, meaning "father of a multitude" because he would be the father of many nations. The Lord also changed his wife Sarai's name to be Sarah, meaning "Princess" and declared that she would have a son, and that through him many nations and kings would come. The token of this covenant would be circumcision (Gen. 17:1-16). Abraham feared that something might be taken from his beloved son Ishmael, but the Lord assured him that Ishmael would still become a great nation as promised. That has certainly been fulfilled, because to this day the Arab nations are located on and around the Arabian Peninsula, comprising many of the descendants of Ishmael. Then the Lord added what to me as a researcher in calendars is a unique and very strange statement. The Lord then prophesied that Isaac would be born "at this set time in the next year" (Gen. 17:21). www.johnpratt.com

Ishmael More than twenty years after he had left Haran, he was still without child and wondering how the Lord's promise would be fulfilled that he would father many nations, because he was then in his eighties. The Lord appeared to him again, assured him his descendants would be numberless as the stars, and covenanted to give him all the land from the Nile to the Euphrates (Gen. 15:4-18). That is a lot of real estate, centered on the Arabian Peninsula.Sarah remained barren. Finally, she gave her handmaid Hagar to Abraham, which led to the birth of his first son, Ishmael, when Abraham was 86 years old (Gen. 16:16). Abraham loved Ishmael and was delighted that finally the covenant could be fulfilled to have numberless descendants.

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Abrahams Journey

- Video Clip Waitinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxPzj_nBolI

Abrahams Faith chart God calls Abraham delays goes to Haran God confirms God confirms Pharoah Lot God confirms Hagar gives birth God confirms 3 3 angels confirm Sodom & Gomorrah Abimelech Isaac is born Abrahams sacrifice bride for Isaac

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While our faith may be erratic, Gods faithfulness is always static

Lot Staggering Faith Lot goes with Abraham Lot claims Sodom and Gomorrah Lot saves angel - Lots daughters commit incest Moabites and Ammonites are born

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-Discussion

What do we learn about God?What do we learn about faith?

Abraham and Lot A Common Start, an Opposite Finish!AbrahamLotEnvironmentBoth started out on the same journeyLot could have been a part of Abrahams great heritage but chose a different pathMotiveAbraham looked for a city with foundations whose builder and maker was GodLot chose the lush, prosperous plains of Sodom and Gomorrah also rich in sinLeadershipAbraham exposes to the family to his faith and maintains the heritage of God.Lot exposes his family to sin and drunkenness destroying them in the process.GrowthAbraham quickly corrects his errors and growsLot repeats his errors and fallsLegacyAbrahams descendents maintain his faith.Lots descendents (Moabites and Ammonites) quickly turn away from God.

Abraham and Lot A Common Start, an Opposite Finish Abraham LotEnvironment Same journey Different pathMotive Eternal city Prosperous plainsLeadership Exposes family to faith Exposes his family to sinGrowth Corrects errors and grows Repeats errors and falls

Legacy Descendents maintain faith. Moabites and Ammonites turn away.

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God Fulfils His Promises 36 : In around 36 years!! During which he:Led Abraham to the promised landBuilt Abrahams faithStrengthened his equation with neighboursPrepared Abraham to father the nation of God

God Fulfils His Promises

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Are we ready to wait for the fulfilment of Gods promises?While we are waiting God is working

Activity Get two volunteers. Blindfold one and ask the other to lead the first on a walkWhen walk is done ask feelings/ experience of bothTalk about surrender to God.Summarize with importance of surrendering to Lordship of Christ

Gods Touchpoints 7: - Lesson 7: Isaac Winging Faith, OT Summary, Fall to Flood The Patriarchal Ages The Judges The Reign of Royalty The Prophetic Era

The Patriarchal Ages - , - - - - - - - Israel

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The Patriarchs of Israel - - - -

Abraham - Soaring FaithIsaac - Winging FaithJacob - Clinging FaithJoseph Unwavering Faith

Objectives To:Realize the value of what God has entrusted to us Be good stewardsReceive/ propagate the legacy he has given us

Isaac Winging FaithPresentation Overview - Isaac was winging it on the faith of his father...Born by (his fathers) faithBlessed by (his fathers) faithBonded by (his servants) faithBlunders overruled by (Gods) graceDiscussion Stewards of Gods Grace

Born by (his Fathers) Faith

Gained life by faithRegained life through fire

After decades, the faith child was born.

God gave him life, God has the right to take away. Isaactrusted his father completely and obeyed even through threat of death.

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Blessed by (his Fathers) faith

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When we receive, to what level are we prepared to obey and give?We are only stewards and not owners of Gods blessings.

Blessed by (his Fathers) faith 1 - 245 6 , - - 25Inherited his fathers blessingsAbraham was now an old man. God had blessed Abraham in every way Gen 24 v 1 MSG. Isaac was the sole inheritor of those blessings. But Abraham gave everything he possessed to Isaache gave gifts to the sons he had by concubinesbut then sent them awayputting a good distance between them and his son Isaac Gen 25.

Blessed by (his fathers) Faith ( 26:3-5) ( 26:7-10) ( 26:17-32) ( 25:21) ( 26:25) ( 26:28-30)God blesses Isaac (Gen 26:3-5)Repeats mistakes of his father. (Gen 26:7-10)Fathers generosity eg. well disputes (Gen 26:17-32)Prays for a son (Gen 25:21)Spirit of gratitude to God. (Gen 26:25)Peaceful relations with neighbours (Gen 26:28-30)

Imbibed the fruits of fathers faithGod blesses Isaac. Gen 26 and confirms the promise to Abraham. Ill bless you and make your children flourish because of my servant Abraham.Isaac also makes the same mistakes of his father. eg. telling Abimelech his wife is his sister(Gen 26:7-10)He has his fathers generosity instance of well disputes. God prospers him. (Gen 26:17-32)He prays for a son when his wife is barren (Gen 25:21)He also has a spirit of gratitude and builds an altar when God blesses him. (Gen 26:25)He has peaceful relations with neighbours (Gen 26:28-30)

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Blessed by (his fathers) Faith The rewards of godliness (and sin) extend beyond an individual to his family for generations.

- Video Clip Coming Togetherhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLSXLW3cYvE

Bonded by (his servants) Faith

Won his brideAcquired Children by FaithGod takes away and God gives

Won his brideAbrahams servant prays for Gods leading to find a bride for Isaac, a task entrusted by Abraham. Isaac wins a beautiful bride of Gods choice. He is comforted in his mothers death.

Acquired Children by FaithLike his mother, his wife is barren. He prays and gets children by faith.

God takes away and God gives

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Overruled by Gods Grace - - ( 25:23)Double blindnessIsaac is physically blind cannot see his sonsHe is spiritually blind in the context of blessing. (Gen 25:23).

Though God tells Rebekah that Jacob will rule Esau (Gen 25:23), he plans to give the prime blessing to Esau based on physical appetite.

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Overruled by Gods Grace : Double reversal of his childrens blessings:The blessing meant for Jacob was being planned for Esau. The blessing he thinks he is giving Esau is given to Jacob

Rebekah helps Jacob outsmart Esaus validation strategyGods choice for the blessing was Jacob, so the reversal was actually Gods plan

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Overruled by Gods Grace ?

Did Isaac have the right to decide who the blessing went to?We are only stewards of Gods gifts.

/Stewards of Gods word1 2 , 1 - 4This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servantsof Christ and as those entrustedwith the mysteriesGod has revealed.2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.1 Cor 4:1,2

Activity ( ) Divide in groups.Ask each group to write or discuss gifts they see (in others)Each person shares how they use these giftsPray for each other to be stewards of their gifts.

-Discussion ? ? ? ( ) ( ) ? ? ?In what instances was Isaac a good steward? In what instances was Isaac a poor steward?What were the reasons for poor stewardship?Fear (with Abimelech)Flesh (with blessing)Others?What challenges do we face with respect to stewardship and how do we overcome them?

Gods Touchpoints 8: - Lesson 8: Jacob Clinging Faith, OT Summary, Fall to Flood The Patriarchal Ages The Judges The Reign of Royalty The Prophetic Era

The Patriarchal Ages - , - - - - - - - Israel

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The Patriarchs of Israel - - - -

Abraham - Soaring faithIsaac - Winging faithJacob - Clinging faithJoseph Unwavering faith

Objectives ToUnderstand Jacobs strong fundamentalsBe clear on our purpose and direction

Presentation Overview -

Jacobs story - snapshotJacobs fundamentalsDiscussionNote: Reference Material is available in the notes section of this presentation

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Jacobs Story 7 7

Fighter SpiritFleesReturns and reconcilesSettles in Egypt

Jacobs Fundamentals : Jacob knew:What to fight forWhen to make peaceWhy he was workingWho to cling toWhere he belongedHow to maintain his legacy

Knew what to Fight for (25:31,32) (27) (32:26)

Fights for birthrightFights for blessing (of Father)Fights for blessing (of God)

Consequences..Being cheated multiple times over by Laban for over 14 years

The birthright in the Bible honored the rights or privileges of the familys firstborn son. After the father died, or in the fathers absence, the firstborn son assumed the fathers authority and responsibilities. However, the Bible also shows that the father could rescind the birthright and pass it on to a younger son. A good example of this is the case of Jacob and his twelve sons. Reuben was the eldest, but the birthright was given to Josephs sons. Even then, Jacob blessed the younger son, Ephraim, above the elder, Manasseh (Genesis 37:19-22;Genesis 49:1-4;Genesis 49:22-26).

In addition to assuming the leadership role in the family, the recipient of the birthright inherited twice that received by the other sons. In cases where a husband might have more than one wife, the birthright always went to the firstborn son of the father and could not be awarded to the son of a favorite wife without proper justification (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) or if the firstborn sons mother was a concubine or a slave (Genesis 21:9-13;Judges 11:1-2).

The birthright of a kings firstborn son included his succession to the throne (2 Chronicles 21:1-3). King Rehoboam of Judah violated this tradition by passing the birthright to Abijah, his favorite son. However, to avoid trouble with the older sons, the king paid them off (2 Chronicles 11:18-23).As New Testament Christians, we have an inherited birthright status through Jesus Christ as the firstborn Son of God (Romans 8:29;Colossians 1:15;Revelation 1:5). As Gods only begotten Son, Jesus received the kingdom from His Father and is Lord of all (Acts 2:36;Philippians 2:9-11;Revelation 19:16). Christ promises to share with us His kingdom and inheritance (Romans 4:13;Galatians 3:29;Ephesians 1:18;Hebrews 1

http://www.gotquestions.org/birthright

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Knew what to fight forJacob twists his fathers arm in the aspect of his blessing.

What are the consequences of Jacob cheating Esau of blessing?What are the consequences of Esau despising his birthright?

Consequences..Being cheated multiple times over by Laban for over 14 years

The birthright in the Bible honored the rights or privileges of the familys firstborn son. After the father died, or in the fathers absence, the firstborn son assumed the fathers authority and responsibilities. However, the Bible also shows that the father could rescind the birthright and pass it on to a younger son. A good example of this is the case of Jacob and his twelve sons. Reuben was the eldest, but the birthright was given to Josephs sons. Even then, Jacob blessed the younger son, Ephraim, above the elder, Manasseh (Genesis 37:19-22;Genesis 49:1-4;Genesis 49:22-26).

In addition to assuming the leadership role in the family, the recipient of the birthright inherited twice that received by the other sons. In cases where a husband might have more than one wife, the birthright always went to the firstborn son of the father and could not be awarded to the son of a favorite wife without proper justification (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) or if the firstborn sons mother was a concubine or a slave (Genesis 21:9-13;Judges 11:1-2).

The birthright of a kings firstborn son included his succession to the throne (2 Chronicles 21:1-3). King Rehoboam of Judah violated this tradition by passing the birthright to Abijah, his favorite son. However, to avoid trouble with the older sons, the king paid them off (2 Chronicles 11:18-23).As New Testament Christians, we have an inherited birthright status through Jesus Christ as the firstborn Son of God (Romans 8:29;Colossians 1:15;Revelation 1:5). As Gods only begotten Son, Jesus received the kingdom from His Father and is Lord of all (Acts 2:36;Philippians 2:9-11;Revelation 19:16). Christ promises to share with us His kingdom and inheritance (Romans 4:13;Galatians 3:29;Ephesians 1:18;Hebrews 1

http://www.gotquestions.org/birthright

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Knew why he was Working - (Gen 28:6,7)20 ; For the woman he lovedIn line with his parents desire

His purpose drove him and made his long years appear short (29:20)45

Knew when to Make Peace (33) (31:55)

With EsauWith Laban

Knew Who to Cling To 32: 22-32 ? ?Read Gen 32:22-32Jacob clung to GodSought his nameSought his blessingWhy did God fight with Jacob and injure him?Why does He fight with us?

- Video Clip:Guidancehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xwLvq44Gsk

Knew where he Belonged3 , , - 3129 , : , - 493Then theLordsaid to Jacob, Go backto the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you. (Gen 31)29Then he gave them these instructions:I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers(Gen 49)

He flees from Canaan but returns to the land of his legacy 3Then theLordsaid to Jacob, Go backto the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you. (Gen 31)He leaves for Egypt but insists that his bones are buried in the promised land29Then he gave them these instructions:I am about to be gathered to my people.Bury me with my fathers(Gen 49)

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Knew how to Maintain the Legacy, (48:13) ?Joseph maintains his faith in EgyptFaithful till his old age (48:13)Note: Jacob falls into the pit of favoritism. What are the consequences?

-Discussion http://bibletransforms.com/2013/05/the-essence-of-trust/. ? 4:11 , ? ?Should we trust Christ by clinging or letting go?In Ruth 4:11 Rachel and Leah are setup as role models. What would Jacobs family life have been like? What can we learn?

Combination of both..you need to know when to cling and when to let go. ..eg in case of blessing, Jacob should have let go... May the LORD make the woman who is coming into your home likeRachelandLeah - Ruth 4:1151

Reflection ? ? ? ? ? What do we fight for?Why do we work?When do we make peace?Who do we cling to?Where do we belong?How do we maintain legacy?

Activity - - Divide into two groupsAsk one group to perform a mime in todays scenario of a person who accepts Christ but gets lured by other attractions of the world.Ask the second group to mime a life with Christ rejecting other attractions of world and surrendering to ChristReiterate importance of giving in to Lordship of Christ

(Note for leader: As aids provide blank placards and pens for groups to write words and use as flashcards)

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