Lesson 09 – Covenant, Hagar, and Circumcision (Genesis 15-17)
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OPEN IT
1. When have you had a scheme that you concocted backfire on you?
EXPLORE IT
2. Why did the Lord tell Abram not to be afraid? (Gen.15:1)
• Scripture: Galatians 3:8, Acts 3:25, Genesis 18:18
3. What did the Lord promise Abram? (Gen.15:4-5)
• Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37, Mark 10:27
4. How did the Lord show Abram that he would take possession of the Promised Land? (Gen.15:7-17)
• Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10, Acts 7:2-4, Isaiah 51:2
5. What did Sarai tell Abram to do in light of their childlessness? (Gen.16:1-2)
• Scripture: Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6
6. How did Sarai respond after Hagar became pregnant? (Gen.16:4-6)
• Scripture: Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 7:1-3
7. What happened to Hagar after she fled from Sarai? (Gen.16:7-16)
• Scripture: Genesis 22:14, Romans 8:32, Hebrews 11:17-19
8. Why did the Lord change Abram's name to Abraham? (Gen.17:1-5)
• Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10, Acts 7:2-4, Isaiah 51:2
9. What sort of covenant did the Lord establish with Abraham? (Gen.17:6-8)
• Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37, Mark 10:27
10. How were Abraham and his descendants supposed to keep the covenant that the Lord had established with them? (Gen.17:9-14)
• Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10, Acts 7:2-4, Isaiah 51:2
11. How did the Lord promise to bless Sarai? (Gen.17:15-16)
• Scripture: Genesis 21:1-2, Romans 9:9, Hebrews 11:11
12. How did Abraham respond to the Lord's promise? (Gen.17:17-18)
• Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10, Acts 7:2-4, Isaiah 51:2
13. What promises did the Lord make with respect to Isaac and Ishmael? (Gen.17:19-21)
• Scripture: Galatians 3:8, Acts 3:25, Genesis 18:18
14. What did Abraham do when God had finished speaking to him? (Gen.17:23-27)
• Scripture: Genesis 21:1-2, Romans 9:9, Hebrews 11:11
GET IT
- When have you been tempted to take ungodly steps to achieve a godly goal?
- Why is it sometimes difficult to trust God and His timing in our lives?
APPLY IT
- Where do you need to trust God's timing instead of forcing your own plan?
Verse Memory / Mnemonic Table
| Memory Verse | Mnemonic Keyword(s) |
|---|---|
| Genesis 15:6 | BELIEF = RIGHTEOUSNESS |
Commentary Summary Block
Got Questions:
This lesson in Genesis 15:1-17:27 highlights doctrinal themes in the Genesis narrative. The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
This lesson in Genesis 15:1-17:27 highlights doctrinal themes in the Genesis narrative. The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
Enduring Word:
In God's Covenant with Abram, the flow of the passage emphasizes practical faith, obedience, and trust in God. The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
In God's Covenant with Abram, the flow of the passage emphasizes practical faith, obedience, and trust in God. The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
Bible Project:
Within the broader Genesis story, Genesis 15:1-17:27 advances the covenant line and the larger biblical narrative. The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
Within the broader Genesis story, Genesis 15:1-17:27 advances the covenant line and the larger biblical narrative. The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
Last Week:
God's promises to multiply Abram's offspring and give them dominion over the land found partial fulfillment in the days of Solomon. But they point further to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Those who follow in the footsteps of Abram's faith are being multiplied in every nation and will one day inherit the earth.
God's promises to multiply Abram's offspring and give them dominion over the land found partial fulfillment in the days of Solomon. But they point further to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Those who follow in the footsteps of Abram's faith are being multiplied in every nation and will one day inherit the earth.
This Week:
The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
The climax of God's covenant concerning Abram's heirs is emphasized by the signs given to him as reminders: the change of his name to Abraham and of his wife's name to Sarah. Most importantly, the sign of circumcision will be a reminder not only to Abraham, but also to future generations. Circumcision, however, was not merely an outward sign.
Next Week:
Meaning God's protection of Abraham is presented in this chapter but not in a way that excuses Abraham's repeated sin of deceiving others about his relationship to Sarah. Abraham offered Abimelech a flimsy excuse for his duplicitous portrayal of Sarah as his sister: that Sarah actually was his half-sister. Abimelech threw that attempt at self-justification right back at Abraham, telling Sarah to give the silver he gave to her to her brother.
Meaning God's protection of Abraham is presented in this chapter but not in a way that excuses Abraham's repeated sin of deceiving others about his relationship to Sarah. Abraham offered Abimelech a flimsy excuse for his duplicitous portrayal of Sarah as his sister: that Sarah actually was his half-sister. Abimelech threw that attempt at self-justification right back at Abraham, telling Sarah to give the silver he gave to her to her brother.
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