Lesson 07 – Covenant, Hagar, and Circumcision (Genesis 15:1–17:27)
Lesson 07 – Covenant, Hagar, and Circumcision (Genesis 15:1–17:27)
OPEN IT
1. When have you had a scheme that you concocted backfire on you?
This is a personal reflection question inviting the reader to think about a time when a self-made plan created more difficulty than it solved.
EXPLORE IT
2. Why did the Lord tell Abram not to be afraid? (Gen. 15:1)
The Lord told Abram not to be afraid because He Himself would be Abram’s shield and very great reward. God reassured Abram that His protection and blessing were still firmly upon him.
3. What did the Lord promise Abram? (Gen. 15:4–5)
The Lord promised Abram that his heir would come from his own body and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky.
4. How did the Lord show Abram that he would take possession of the Promised Land? (Gen. 15:7–17)
The Lord confirmed His promise through a covenant ceremony. After Abram prepared the animals, God caused a deep sleep to fall on him and then passed between the pieces as a smoking fire pot and blazing torch, showing that He Himself guaranteed the covenant.
5. What did Sarai tell Abram to do in light of their childlessness? (Gen. 16:1–2)
Sarai told Abram to go in to her servant Hagar so that they might obtain children through her.
6. How did Sarai respond after Hagar became pregnant? (Gen. 16:4–6)
After Hagar became pregnant and looked on Sarai with contempt, Sarai reacted harshly and mistreated her, leading Hagar to flee.
7. What happened to Hagar after she fled from Sarai? (Gen. 16:7–16)
The angel of the Lord found Hagar in the wilderness, told her to return to Sarai, and promised that her descendants would be multiplied. Hagar was told that she would bear a son named Ishmael, and she returned and later gave birth to him.
8. Why did the Lord change Abram’s name to Abraham? (Gen. 17:1–5)
The Lord changed Abram’s name to Abraham because He had made him the father of a multitude of nations.
9. What sort of covenant did the Lord establish with Abraham? (Gen. 17:6–8)
The Lord established an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants, promising to be their God and to give them the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.
10. How were Abraham and his descendants supposed to keep the covenant that the Lord had established with them? (Gen. 17:9–14)
They were to keep the covenant by circumcising every male in Abraham’s household and among his descendants. Circumcision was the sign of the covenant.
11. How did the Lord promise to bless Sarai? (Gen. 17:15–16)
The Lord changed Sarai’s name to Sarah and promised that He would bless her, give Abraham a son by her, and make her the mother of nations and kings.
12. How did Abraham respond to the Lord’s promise? (Gen. 17:17–18)
Abraham fell on his face and laughed in amazement, wondering how a son could be born to him at one hundred years old and to Sarah at ninety. He also asked that Ishmael might live under God’s blessing.
13. What promises did the Lord make with respect to Isaac and Ishmael? (Gen. 17:19–21)
God promised that Sarah would bear Isaac and that His covenant would be established with Isaac and his offspring. God also promised to bless Ishmael, make him fruitful, and multiply him greatly, though the covenant line would continue through Isaac.
14. What did Abraham do when God had finished speaking to him? (Gen. 17:23–27)
Abraham obeyed immediately. On that very day he circumcised Ishmael and every male in his household, just as God had commanded him.
GET IT
15. When have you been tempted to take ungodly steps to achieve a godly goal?
This question invites personal reflection on moments when impatience, fear, or self-reliance tempted you to force an outcome instead of waiting on God.
16. Why is it sometimes difficult to trust God and His timing in our lives?
It is often difficult because God’s timing can seem slow, unclear, or different from our expectations. Fear, uncertainty, and the desire for control can make waiting on Him hard.
APPLY IT
17. In what area of your life in which you find it difficult to trust God will you ask Him to help you trust Him?
A practical response is to name one specific area—such as family, health, finances, ministry, or unanswered prayer—and deliberately ask God for patience, faith, and obedience while you wait on Him.
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