Genesis 19-21: Study Guide

Background

• Review of Genesis 16-18: Although Hagar, Sarah's servant, had been used to bear a child and provide a future lineage for Abraham, God maintained that He would bless Sarah with a child in her late age and establish His covenant through him.
• Setting for Genesis 19: God's attention is toward the land of Sodom. God intends to investigate whether the land is as wicked as it has been reported. 

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 19-21.

Genesis 19

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 19.

Discussion

1. Mood: How would you define the mood of this chapter? What factors contributed to this mood or intensified it?
2. Characterization: What is your impression of Lot?
3. Resolution: Think about the resolution for Lot's family and for its preservation. What impression does it leave on you?
4. Human Nature: How does this chapter portray human nature?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 19 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 20. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Human depravity (e.g. rapists of Sodom)
• God's fiery judgment
• Human reluctance vs divine urgency
• Hospitality towards angels
• Preservation of lineage & family

Genesis 20

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 20.

Discussion

1. Abraham:
1. How would you characterize Abraham as an immigrant?
2. What do you think about Sarah's 'kindness' that she performs for Abraham (verse 13)?
3. What do think about Abraham's tendency to get into situations where a king takes his wife?
2. God:
1. How does God deal with the kings who are attracted to Sarah?
2. How does God deal (or not deal) with Abraham in these situations?
3. Takeaway: What do you think is the message of this chapter?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 20 into the full picture of Genesis, and transitions the group into Genesis 21. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Abraham the untrustworthy immigrant
• Sarah's attractiveness at age 90
• God restrains the innocent from sin (e.g. Abimelech's dream)
• God's power over the womb (to open or close them)
• Kings are blessed or cursed through Abraham

Genesis 21

Read: Choose a reader to read Genesis 21.

Discussion

1. Isaac's Birth: What stood out to you in the reactions to Isaac's birth?
2. Hagar & Ismael: What is your reaction to Hagar's & Ishmael's fate?
3. Neighbor Relations: What do you think about how Abraham's relations with neighbors such as Abimelech?
4. Abimelech's Observation: What observation does Abimelech make about Abraham that moves him to seek out peaceful relations?

Transition: The leader ties Genesis 21 into the full picture of Genesis, and helps the group anticipate what may be coming in the next study. Suggested themes and foreshadows include:

• Fulfillment of God's Promise: Birth of Isaac
• God's Preservation of Hagar & Ishmael the scoffer
• Pursuit of the Abrahamic Blessing (sought by Abimelech)
• Covenant between Abraham & Abimelech the Philistine

Closing

Looking Forward: Abraham and Sarah have finally experienced God's promise that they will have a son in their old age. Moreover, Abimelech the Philistine has sought peaceful relations with Abraham, having observed that God is with him. How does the future look for Abraham and his family?