Genesis 13-15: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 10-12: The earth became repopulated through Noah's descendants and formed the world's nations. Then God promised to form a new nation by which other nations may be blessed, and set a man named Abram apart for this purpose.
• Setting for Genesis 13: Abram had migrated to Egypt in order to escape a famine in Canaan, but after causing trouble for the Egyptians Pharaoh asked Abram to leave.

Study Preparations

• Timer: Assign a timer who will focus the group on spending 15 minutes in each chapter.
• Prayer: Open in prayer and invite God to provide understanding into Genesis 13-15.

Genesis 13

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 13.

Discussion

1. First Impressions: What stood out to you in the reading of Genesis 13?
2. Strife Between Brothers: What do we learn about Abram and Lot in how they worked out the strife regarding their livestock?
3. The Land Before Your Eyes: Recall God's instruction to Abram to walk the length and width of the land before his eyes. What do you think was the intent behind God's instruction?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 13 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 14. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Abram's abundance (e.g. gold, silver, & livestock)
• The peace, generosity, and contentment of Abram (e.g. his land settlement with Lot)
• The vastness of the land promised to Abram ("north, south, east, west")
• A countless number of descendants promised for Abram

Genesis 14

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 14.

Discussion

1. Abram The Warrior: What do we learn about Abram as a result of the war he was drawn into?
2. Details of The War Against Chedorlaomer: This chapter seems to be using a 'history book' sort of tone in its coverage of the war against Chedorlaomer, given that it is filled with significant people, events, dates, and geographical locations.
1. What might be the purpose behind providing so many details regarding the war?
2. What impact might the events of this war have had upon the land of Canaan?
3. Melchizedek: What impact do you think that Melchizedek made on Abram?
4. The King of Sodom: How would you characterize Abram's attitude towards the King of Sodom?
1. Do you think that Abram's encounter with Melchizedek had any influence upon how Abram responded to the King of Sodom? Why or why not?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 14 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 15. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Vulnerability of Canaan to occupation
• Abram's tribal strength (318 trained fighters born within his household)
• Blessings for the allies of Abram (i.e. they gain victory & plunder)
• Blessedness of God (He gives Abram the victory)
• Abram safeguards God's blessed reputation (he refuses plunder to ensure that Sodom cannot be credited with having made him rich)

Genesis 15

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 15.

Discussion

1. Abram's Faith: What is your impression of Abram's faith?
1. What are Abram's concerns?
2. What are God's assurances to Abram?
3. What do you think is the relationship between faith and righteousness?
2. Future of Abram's People
1. What is the mood surrounding Abram's deep sleep?
2. What do you think is God's purpose in revealing to Abram the future events of his people?
3. Sign of God's Covenant: What do you think is the significance of the burning torch passing between Abram's sacrifices?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 15 into the full picture of Genesis, and helps the group anticipate what may be coming in the next study. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• God promises Abram a future heir
• Abram believes and is credited righteousness
• Future bondage & future plunder of Abram's descendants
• Incompleteness of the wickedness of Canaan (specifically, the Amorites)
• The land covenant and its boundaries
• Sign of God's covenant (burning torch passing between Abram's sacrifices)

Closing

Looking Forward: Abram has been increasing in greatness with God's help. Yet Abram is also shown to be struggling with questions about the future of his household, even though God has promised that he will become a great nation.

1. Why do you think that God is so regularly drawing attention to His promise to Abram?
2. Using Abram as a reference, how does faith seem to work?
3. What must happen in order for Abram to receive everything God has promised?