Ice Breaker: Was there ever a time in your life when someone stood up for you or pursued you in a time of difficulty (the way that Abram chased after Lot to rescue him from trouble)?
The Vertical and The Horizontal Many of us believe or hope that our “vertical” relationship with the Lord will fix our “horizontal” problems or relationships. Can you share a time when you were disappointed that didn’t occur the way you had hoped or expected?
Abram’s Vertical and Horizontal Life Silently READ Genesis 12:10-20.
Abram is able to draw on vertical grace to relate to Lot with peacemaking and generosity. Pastor Thomas relayed the beauty of this God-centered living with the following parallels:
Think and share one or two parallel changes that you would like to see happen in your life as you live empowered by God’s grace.
Silently READ Genesis 14:11-16.
Close in a time of prayer focused on submitting your horizontal life to the Lord. Ice Breaker: Share a time when someone made and kept a significant promise to you.
God’s Promises to Abram READ Genesis 12:1-3.
The Promises Are In Christ READ 2 Corinthians 1:20.
Abram’s Promises Fuel Our Faithful Worship and Worshipful Faith The Promise of Land – God will give His people a place. READ John 14:1-3.
The Promise of Nationhood – God will give His people a family. READ 1 Peter 2:9-12
The Promise of God’s Presence – God will be near and guard His people. READ Romans 8:28-32
The Promise of Blessing All Nations – God will spread redemption to all nations through Abram’s offspring.
Icebreaker: What is the farthest trip from home that you’ve ever taken?
Study/Discussion: What comes to mind when you think about Abraham? READ Genesis 11:27-32
READ Genesis 12:1
READ 12:2-3 Pastor Thomas introduced the idea that God is obligating Himself to Abram in these promises.
READ 12:4-5 Pastor Thomas quoted a puritan pastor who wrote about these verses: “Abraham went out not knowing where he went, but he did know with Whom he was going.” How can remembering this theological truth practically help the following people:
READ 12:6-8
Close by praising God for being faithful to His obligations and asking Him to grow your faithfulness in living a decisively obedient life like Abraham. Ice Breaker: If you could speak a second language fluently what would it be and why?
READ Genesis 11:1-9 Act #1: v.1-4. Man reflects God’s image, but pridefully plans life apart from Him.
Biblical Sarcasm in v.5
Act #2: v.5-9a. God frustrates sinful plans, and this displays mercy not malice.
Act #3: v.9b. God turns tragedy into mission-accomplishing glory for salvation through Jesus Christ.
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