Background
- Review of Genesis 13-15: Abram became prosperous and powerful to the extent that he was able to successfully rescue his nephew Lot from a coalition of invading nations. While Abram seemed conscious of the fact that God was his source of strength, he seemed to waver back and forth between faith and uncertainty as God would progressively reveal His intentions to bless Abram's descendants.
- Setting for Genesis 16: Abram had been living in Canaan for apparently ten years (Genesis 16:3).
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 16-18.
Genesis 16
Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 16.
Discussion
- First Impressions: What stood out to you in the reading of Genesis 16?
- Wives: Notice how Sarai instructs Abram to take Hagar as a wife, and yet she holds him responsible for the trouble that Hagar causes.
- Do you think that Abram fell short on any of his responsibilities within his marriage(s)? If so, how?
- Based upon the dialogue between Abram and Sarai, how interested did Abram seem to be in taking ownership for decisions that would affect his marriage(s)?
- Recall any principles from Genesis 2 & 3 regarding a man and a woman and their relationship. Do any of these principles offer insight for the situation that transpired between Abram, Sarai, and Hagar? If so, how?
- Hagar's Blessing: Recall Hagar's encounter with the Angel of the Lord.
- Consider Hagar's name for God, and also for the well that had been memorialized. What understanding of God did Hagar gain from the Angel's visitation?
- How did Hagar fit into God's plan for Abram's family?
Transition: The leader ties Genesis 16 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 17. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:
- God hears & sees those who are afflicted
- First theophany of the Angel of the LORD ("Have I also seen [God] who sees me?" - verse 16)
- Abram's marital irresponsibility & passivity
- Polygamy & conflict between wives
- Ishmael's 'donkey' blessing of brotherly hostility
Genesis 17
Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 17:1 - 18:19.
Discussion
- Laughter & Isaac's Name: Recall the meaning of Isaac's name (Isaac means 'laughter').
- Briefly review how this chapter draws attention to the theme of laughter.
- How does Isaac's name highlight the difference between God and His creation?
- What does Issac's name suggest about human point of view?
- In what sense can Abraham & Sarah's laughter be seen as natural?
- What do you think about Abraham's promotion of Ishmael and God's reassuring response?
- What do you think about Sarah's denial of her laughter and God's confrontational response?
- What does Isaac's name suggest about God's workings?
- What principles from this chapter can drawn for modern evangelism?
- Abrahamic Covenant Responsibilities: What are the covenant responsibilities of Abraham and his children?
- What were their fleshly responsibilities?
- What were their social responsibilities?
- What will happen if Abram and his children do what is righteous & just?
- Hospitality: Recall Abraham's hospitality towards God and the three men standing by Him.
- What visual picture forms within your mind when trying to imagine this scene?
- What did you think about Sarah staying inside the tent during the visit?
Transition: The leader ties Genesis 17 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 18. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:
- God's everlasting covenant with Abraham
- Symbols of the Abrahamic Covenant (e.g. circumcision, name changes)
- Covenant Responsibilities (righteousness, justice, and the keeping of God's way)
- Abraham's covenant obedience (he circumcised his household)
- Naturalism vs Supernaturalism
- Laughter
- Hospitality towards God
Genesis 18
Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 18:20-33.
Discussion
- God's Investigation: Consider God's role as a 'Divine Investigator':
- According to God, what compelled Him to go and investigate Sodom?
- What principles does this chapter suggest for how we can respond to territories that are evil in the present day?
- Abraham's Intercession: Now consider Abraham's role as an 'intercessor':
- What stands out in how Abraham intercedes for the people of Sodom?
- Do you like or dislike Abraham's views on righteousness and justice?
- What do you think is Abraham's interest in Sodom?
- What does Abraham appear to believe that causes him to be bold before God?
- What does Abraham appear to believe that causes him to be timid before God?
- Why do you think that Abraham stops at ten righteous people?
Transition: The leader ties Genesis 18 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's responsiveness to outcries against the wicked
- Abram's intercession for the righteous
- God's patience in listening to Abram's intercession
- God's willingness to spare the wicked for the sake of the righteous
Closing
Looking Forward: As the years have passed by in the lives of Abraham and Sarah, they have struggled to accept God's promise of a future son (as evidenced by their use of Hagar' fertility and also by their laughter towards God). On the other hand, Abraham's faith in God is suggested by his circumcision of his entire household as well has his hospitality towards God. Therefore, Abraham's faith in God seems to remain a work in progress.
- Next Year: Recall God's promise that in a year's time Sarah will bear a son. How do you think Abraham and Sarah will behave as that year approaches?
- Sodom: How do you think that Abraham's intersession for Sodom will impact God's investigation?
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