Abraham series; Walking with God in the real world
Earlier this year we were treated to a series of talks on Abraham. Here, Jodie has put together a summary of the series outlining main points and questions to think about. You might like to use the summary to listen to the talks again over the summer period. Click on the headings to find the talks.
Trust
Summary: Genesis 11:31-12:7
• Obedience comes before clarity
• Step out before you know the way
• Build altars to worship God in response, along the way
To think about
Where might God be asking you to step out before you know the way?
Do you need to build an altar and worship God in the middle of unanswered questions?
Can you trust God to be faithful to meet you on your journey?
Promise
Summary: Genesis 12:1-3
• The promise of blessing carried multiplication, fruitfulness and abundance
• We live with the promise of blessing like Abraham
• Our promise of blessing is primarily worked out in spiritual blessing, whereas Abraham’s was physical blessing
• We see blessing of multiplication in the family of God, in abundance of spiritual provision, in authority in spiritual realms and in being a blessing to others
To think about
How have you seen the promise of blessing in abundance and multiplication worked out in your life?
What areas of your life are you currently asking God for the blessing of multiplication and abundance?
How can you be a blessing to others?
Presumption
Summary: Genesis 16
• Abraham and Sarah stopped waiting, they abused their power and they abdicated their responsibility
• God seeks; God hears and God sees
• Are you acting presumptuously? Are you trying to ‘fix’ God’s timing?
• Are you feeling lost, unheard and unseen?
To think about
What does ‘waiting on God’ look like in your life now? What makes it difficult?
What difference does it make to you that God reveals Himself as El Roi – the God who sees me?
How can you choose dependence on God, instead of presumption?
Faith
Summary: Genesis 15
• The object of our faith has to be God Himself
• We have confidence in God’s character
• The amount of our faith isn’t what matters, but the object of our faith!
To think about
How does delay or currently unanswered prayers affect your faith and trust in God?
What helps you hold on to God’s Word when life is tricky?
What might ‘putting up the sails’ look like for you now? What steps of faith feel risky, uncomfortable or premature right now for you?
Disappointment
Summary: Genesis 17 and 18:1-15
• Unfulfilled promises can lead to doubt, cynicism, deflection and defensiveness
• God renews His promise to Abraham and Sarah, He reminded Abraham and Sarah of His character as El Shaddai God Almighty, and brings further revelation to them.
To think about
What about you, are there promises you haven’t yet seen fulfilled?
How do the promises of God fit with your reality and lived experience?
Do you act in faithful obedience, even in the face of disappointment?
Surrender
Summary: Genesis 22:1-19
• Abraham was tested by God – it was personal, lonely and specific.
• Abraham responded with quick obedience. How quick are we to obey God?
• Abraham responded with radical trust. Do we trust God to provide for our needs?
• Abraham responded with sacrificial worship. Do we worship God even when things don’t make sense?
To think about
What is God asking you to lay on the altar and surrender to Him?
Where do you need to know God as Jehovah Jireh, ‘the Lord who provides’?
Is there something God is asking you to respond in quick obedience to?
Hope
Summary: Hebrews 11:17-19 & Genesis 22:1-14
• Abraham, at times, put his hope and faith in the ‘how’ of the promises of God – demonstrated by his attempt to make those promises come true (a son by Hagar).
• Abraham eventually comes to the place where he reasoned that God would provide and fulfil His promise. Abraham’s hope and faith is now in the ‘who’ God is! (Genesis 22:5&8 and Hebrews 11:19)
• Abraham trusted the Promise-Maker and put his faith in God.
To think about
Do you focus on the promises, rather than the Promise-Maker?
Do you trust in God alone? Are your eyes fixed on Jesus?
Which promises of God in the Scriptures do you cling to?
Thank you Jodie
