week of 11/17

Unit 03  Session 3

GOD WAS WITH JOSEPH

gENESIS 39:1-5A, 7-12, 19-23

 

Key Concept:

No matter our circumstances, God is always with His people and deserving of our obedience.

Genesis 37-50 tells the story of Jacob's sons who would become the twelve tribes of Israel, yet the focus is almost exclusively on one son in particular. With sinful favoritism rearing its ugly head once again in this family, Jacob favored Joseph more than his elder brothers because he was the son of his favorite wife. Jealous of their father's love for their younger sibling, Joseph's brothers hatched a plan to kill him but instead sold him off into slavery in Egypt. Though Joseph was separated and isolated from everything he had known, we see in his story a palpable reminder of the surety of God's presence and power to override evil and use it for good.

As you examine Genesis 39:1-5A, 7-12, 19-23:

✞   Recognize that Joseph was obedient in difficult circumstances because ultimately he 

    knew he would be sinning against God.

     

✞   Consider the reality of God's presence with you and how this should shape our view of 

    good and difficult things.

week of 11/10

Unit 03  Session 2

GOD'S PROMISE TO JACOB

gENESIS 28:10-22

 

Key Concept:

God is present with His people, faithful to His promises, and deserving of our worship.

Genesis 25-36 depicts God's ongoing faithfulness to Abraham's descendants, seen first through his son Isaac and then through his grandson Jacob. Despite manipulative and deceitful schemes to obtain both his brother's birthright and his father's blessing, from the womb, Jacob was the one chosen by God to receive the covenant promises passed down from Abraham and Isaac. God's work in and through Jacob's life reminds us that God uses and works through sinful people and unfavorable circumstances to accomplish His will.

As you examine Genesis 28:10-22:

✞   Identify how God's promises to Jacob mirrored those He made to Abraham and Isaac.

     

✞   Consider what genuine worship of God should look like in your life.

week of 11/3

Unit 03  Session 1

JACOB MANIPULATED ESAU

gENESIS 25:20-34

 

Key Concept:

God's will and ways are righteous, while our ways are sinful.

The second half of Genesis details the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham through the lives of Abraham's promised offspring. Like Sarah before her, Rebekah, Isaac's wife, was barren for years. Isaac prayed for his wife, and just as the Lord kept His promise with Abraham and Sarah, the Lord gave Rebekah twin sons: Esau and Jacob. The twins' ensuing sibling rivalry highlights a few major themes in the book of Genesis and within Scripture more broadly. God's covenant faithfulness is seen throughout the book as He keeps His promises and sovereignly works to carry out His plan.

As you examine Genesis 25:20-34:

✞   Evaluate each person's words and actions to determine what was good and what was 

    sinful.

     

✞   Consider what this passage teaches us about God's character and His faithfulness to 

    His own promises and unfolding plan.

week of 10/27

Unit 02  Session 4

GOD'S PROVISION FOR ISAAC

gENESIS 24:37-50

 

Key Concept:

God's people trust in God's providence in every aspect of our lives.

By Genesis 24, Abraham was much older, and Sarah had died. But Isaac was unmarried. Wanting to get his family affairs in order and ensure the covenant promises lived on to another generation, Abraham sought to find Isaac a wife. Not wanting Isaac to marry one of the pagan Canaanites, Abraham sent one of his servants in Isaac's stead to his old homeland. The servant, trusting in the Lord's faithfulness to his master, went to Abraham's homeland and did exactly as Abraham said, bringing Rebekah home to her new husband. 

As you examine Genesis 24:37-50:

✞   Note the servant's reliance on prayer and God's providence to help him be successful in 

    his mission.
     

✞   Reflect on how God orchestrated the events in the servant's journey to bring Rebekah to 

    Canaan for Isaac.

week of 10/20

Unit 02  Session 3

GOD'S TEST OF ABRAHAM

gENESIS 22:1-14

 

Key Concept:

The Lord tests our faith so it may be proven by obedience.

In keeping with God's covenant, Abraham's promised child finally arrived with the birth of Isaac. A few years later, God called to Abraham again; this time He commanded Abraham to take his son up a mountain and offer him as a sacrifice there to the Lord. Why would God ask Abraham to do such a thing? God put Abraham to the test to demonstrate Abraham's complete devotion to Him and, as we will see, God's merciful provision. This remained a fulfillment to God's promise and ultimately pointed to a greater fulfillment yet to come.

As you examine Genesis 22:1-14:

✞   Identify Abraham's actions that indicated he trusted God absolutely.
     

✞   Consider how the Gospel gives us encouragement to respond to tests and trials with faith.

week of 10/13

Unit 02  Session 2

GOD'S COVENANT WITH ABRAM

gENESIS 17:1-10; 15-19

 

Key Concept:

The almighty God makes it possible for humanity to be in relationship with Him.

Sojourning in his new home, Abram waited for God to bring about His promises, which included a son. Waiting isn't easy, and the aging Abram wondered if the promised child would ever come. Growing anxious, he and Sarai brought Hagar into the fold and bore Ishmael through her. But God did not need their help, only their faith. Ishmael would not be the inheritor of the blessing, and God had not forgotten His word. Everything He promised would come to pass. So Abram received a new name that reminded him of that truth and reconfirmed the covenant God had made with him. 

As you examine Genesis 17:1-10; 15-19:

✞   Consider the significance of God calling upon His people to live in His presence.
     

✞   Recognize that true faith always leads to obedient action for those who love Jesus 
    and are called by Him.

week of 10/5

Unit 02  Session 1

ABRAM OBEYS GOD'S CALL

gENESIS 12:1-9

 

Key Concept:

Faith is obeying and following God no matter the circumstances that come with it.

Genesis 12 opens a new era of God's revelation. For eleven chapters, God revealed the beginning of the world at a macro level. In Chapter 12, God begins to reveal the beginning of His covenant at a micro level, from many generations down to one man. Abram is the beginning of the story in so many ways. Our understanding of the grace of God revealed ultimately in Jesus Christ is strengthened by our understanding of the story of Abram way back in Genesis.

As you examine Genesis 12:1-9:

✞   Identify the sacrifices Abram made to step out in faithful obedience.
     

✞   Consider how knowing the love God has for us encourages us to obey and follow His call.