"God's ways are far higher and better than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)  We want immediate results, and the ways of our eternal, unhurried Shepherd often seem painfully slow. In this lesson we see the humble birth of a nation -- a chosen people through whom our Creator would reveal Himself to the world.  Like the tiny seed of a great oak, its beginnings seemed barely worth our notice. Yet, through this nation, the sovereign God of the universe would bring about His ultimate purpose: the union of His beloved people from every race and nation in Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Father, speak to us through your Word.  Show us both our heritage and our inheritance.  You have made us so rich in Christ, and we long to see all the glory of who You are, and who we are in You. Thank you!

   

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Memorize: Psalm 105:3 or 4 God's Eternal Covenant

I.    Read Gen. 11:1-9

A.  Look and see man's plan and purpose.  What is the intent of man's heart? (Consider some of the comparable goals, intents and actions of modern man without God.)

   

B.  How does the sovereignty (supreme power and control) of God overrule the grandiose plans of man?

C. What does the pronoun "Us" in v. 7 tell you about God?

2.    Read Gen. 11:27-12:9    

A.    1. What was God's command to Abram? (Later, God changes his name to Abraham.) See also Acts 7:2-4.

     

2. What did God promise him?

   

3. Describe Abram's response to God's command. (v. 4-5)

 

4. Where did God lead him?  

5. How old was Abram when he departed from Haran?

B.     What was God's promise in v. 7?

   

C.     1. Ask God to show you the personal significance of building an altar to Him.  What is the purpose of building an altar?

   

2. What does Abram's response (building an altar) to God tell you about this man?

 

3. We do not need to build altars to God today. In a spiritual sense, the altar is always present with us.  But what does God ask of us in Rom. 12:1?  What does this mean to you?

3.  Read the story of Abraham, not simply as an historical account, but as your story -- that of your family in Christ.  What do the following verses tell you about your relationship to Abraham?

A. Gal. 3:7-9

 

B. Gal. 3:27-29  

 

C. Rom. 4:7-13 (especially v. 12)

4.   Read Gen. 12:10-20

A. After his beautiful example of faith and obedience, we see that Abram also had "clay feet." Describe his weakness and failure.

 

B. So often it is in our failure and weakness that we really learn to know God.  What is God teaching you about Himself in this passage?  

5.   Read Gen. 13    

A.   What do you see in Abram's attitude, words and action that can help us to live together in harmony and love?

 

B.  Although Abram was willing to yield the right to choose first, who really received the better portion?  Why?

 

C.  Again God states His promise to Abram.  What does He add this time?

6.  (Challenge) Read Gen. 14

A.     With what resources did Abram win the battle?

   

B.     Who was Melchizedek, and why is he so significant? (See Heb. 7:1-17)

 

C.    1. Describe the temptation Abram faced in v. 21, after his great victory.

        2. Why did he respond as he did to the King of Sodom?

7.   Read Psalm 105:1-10.  What do these verses tell you about God and how He wants us to live before Him?

SUGGESTED HYMN: 0 Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

Next: Lesson 5 - God's Covenant with Abraham