Abram's Call: Following God into the Unknown

Genesis 12 - 13

Suppose God asked you to leave all that is familiar - your home, family, friends - and follow him into another part of the country or world. How would you feel as you said goodbye and moved out into a radically different lifestyle?

GROUP DISCUSSION. Tell about an occasion when you believed God was asking you to take a step involving uncertainty or risk.

PERSONAL REFLECTION. What was the reaction of family or friends to a decision you've made to follow the Lord on a new, perhaps risky, path?

In this study we can learn from the example of Abram as he responds to God's call. Read Genesis 12.

1. In 12:1-5 what command and promise does the Lord give to Abram?

2. Describe in your own words what is involved for Abram and his family to leave their homes and relatives (12:4-5).

3. What do you think his obedience cost him in personal relationships?

4. What additional promise and encouragement does God give to Abram as he arrives in Canaan and how does he respond (12:6-9)?

5. What guidance or encouragement has God provided to you as you followed his call into an unfamiliar and frightening situation?

6. In verses 10-16 how does Abram's scheming show a lack of faith?

7. How does the Lord save Abram from his own deception (12:17-20)?

8. Describe a time when you took matters into your own hands instead of trusting God's faithfulness. What were the results for you and others involved?

9. Read Genesis 13. What problem arises between Abram and Lot in 13:1-7?

10. How does Abram's action here demonstrate a greater confidence in God's promise to take care of him (13:8-13)?

11. What expanded promises does the Lord give to Abram (13:14-17)?

12. Why do you think the Lord chooses this moment to speak to him?

13. How can Abram's experience in these two chapters encourage you to trust your needs more fully to God?

Thank God for the way he has met one of your recent needs.

Now or Later

Write down any fork in the road ahead that may call for you to make a decision of this kind.

The Tower of Babel: Problems in Family & Society

Genesis 9:18 - 11:32

Every generation has the problem of disrespect for authority - both divine and human. This attitude continues after the flood in Noah's family, then on a larger scale in society.

GROUP DISCUSSION. Where do you see a breakdown in family relationships reaping a harvest of problems in your community?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. Where do you see a situatin in which a character flaw appears to pass from generation to generation?

We have seen that Noah's new commission from God is similar to the one given Adam. Now we see how sin again spreads from father to son in both private and public realms. Read Genesis 9:18-19.

1. Describe what happens in this brief story of Noah and his sons.

2. How does Ham's concuct dishonor his father?

In what ways does it contrast with the action of his brothers?

3. What are Noah's reactions to the conduct of his sons (9:24-27)?

4. In what ways do you think families today suffer from disrespect of parents?

5. How can we show respect to our parents regardless of their actions toward us?

6. Read Genesis 11:1-9. What actions do the people of Babel take and what is their motive (vv. 11:1-4)?

7. How does this project conflict with God's instruction to Noah after the flood?

8. What is the Lord's reaction in 11:5-9?

9. Why do you think all human efforts to achieve world unity fall short of what God desires?

10. As you come to the end of the first eleven chapters of Genesis (which comprise part one of this guide), how have these chapters helped you see God as a God of love, mercy and tender concern as well as a God of justice and judgment?

11. What in this section of study has been most meaningful to you in your understanding of God?

Thank God that he continually reveals himself to us.

Now or Later

Scan Genesis 10, which traces the descendants of Shem, Ham and Japheth. What interesting facts does this chapter reveal about the spread of humanity after the flood? (Note expecially 10:5, 8-15, 25.)

Read Genesis 11:10-32. Why do you think the author shifts from writing about all the families of the earth to one family?

The Rainbow: God's Promises for the Future

Genesis 8:1 - 9:17

How do you feel when you see the long-awaited fulfillment of one of God's promises? To what extent is your response similar to that of Noah and his family?

GROUP DISCUSSION. If you were onboard the ark, how would you feel form the time God shut the door to about a year later when he said, "Come out on deck"?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. Think of a time when you were called to step out in faith on a risky venture in service to the Lord.

In this study we see how God fulfills his promise to Noah, providing an example for us today.

Read Genesis 8.

1. How is God's concern for his people expressed in 8:1-5?

2. What initiative does Noah take during this period (8:6-14)?

3. In what way can his example help us understand our responsibility during a period when we are depending on God to work?

4. In 8:15-19 how does God's instruction show his continuing concern for the voyagers?

5. What does Noah's first action after emptying the ark (8:20) reveal about his priorities in what must have been an incredibly busy time?

6. What aspect of Noah's example - obedience, faith, courage, patience - is most meaningful to you in a situation you are facing?

7. How does the Lord respond to Noah's sacrifice (8:21-11)?

8. Why is his promise especially remarkable in view of the continuing sinfulness of human nature?

9. Read Genesis 9:1-17. What commission does God give to Noah and his family in 9:1-7?

10. Where do you see differences from the original command to Adam in 1:27-30?

11. In 9:8-17 how is the sign of the rainbow especially appropriate to God's promise?

12. In what ways has God's grace been evident throughout this passage?

13. How have you seen his grace at work in your life?

Spend some time in prayer thanking God for his grace to us who don't deserve it.

Now or Later

Write down some instances of God's grace in answer to your prayer for others in your life.

The Flood: Two Lifestyles & Their Results

Genesis 6-7

Does it really make much difference how we live? Each day's headline news reminds us that good so often goes unrewarded while evil persists without punishment.

GROUP DISCUSSION. What prevalent evils do you see growing and infecting our current society?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. How do you live in a sinful world without being drawn into it or isolating yourself and losing contact?

Although these chapters don't answer all our questions about the struggle with evil, they show how eventually God's justice and judgment can become evident.

Read Genesis 6.

1. What impresses you about the human condition at Noah's time?

2. What words in verses 5 and 11 emphasize the extent of wickedness?

3. In what way has God's attitude toward the creation changed since the beginning (vv. 1:1-31; 6:6-7, 11-13, 17)?

4. How do current newspaper and TV headlines illustrate some ways our civilization resembles Noah's?

5. How is Noah different from his contemporaries (6:5-12)?

6. What do you think God's plans and provision for Noah's family and the various living creatures show about his continuing concern for his creation (6:13-22)?

7. In verse 18 what is meant by God's establishing a covenant with Noah?

8. Read Genesis 7. How do you suppose Noah and his family feel during the long months of building the ark in a very dry land and rounding up the animals (7:1-16)?

9. When have you felt embarrassed in front of others because of your obedience to the Lord?

10. How can you be encouraged and challenged by Noah's example?

11. In verse 16 how does God's action impress you?

12. What details are given about the flood and its results (7:17-24)?

13. The events of these chapters reveal the grace and justice of God. What aspect of this speaks to you personally?

Pray that God will show how your witness, like Noah's, can be evident in your community.

Now or Later

List areas of evil or injustice in your community. What possible activities would help in defeating them?

Cain & Abel: Attitudes & Reactions to Sin

Genesis 4-5

A Lutheran bishop who lived in East Germany suffered fierce persecution by the Nazis and then the Communists. He declared, "When God is not God, man is not man." He had seen how rejection of divine authority leads to inhuman actions. We now look at this principle at work in the newly created human family.

GROUP DISCUSSION. What situation in your life shows a link between people's view of God and their treatment of others?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. Think of a situation in which a wrong attitude on your part led to a sinful action. Present it to God prayerfully before you begin your study.

Read Genesis 4.

1. What impresses you about Cain and Abel?

2. In verses 1-5 what do we learn about the two brothers and their offerings?

3. How do verses 6-8 describe God's response to Cain and Cain's reaction?

4. Cain is told that sin is crouching at the door and he must master it. What happens when we refuse to admit that we are on the wrong track?

5. What resources do we have to overcome sin?

6. In verses 9-10 how does the exchange between God and Cain strike you?

7. Describe in your own words God's judgment on Cain and his reaction (vv. 11-14).

8. How does God protect Cain (vv. 15-16)?

In what way does seeing God's protection of Cain in the midst of punishment give us encouragement?

9. In verses 17-26 life goes on; describe Lamech's attitude and action.

10. The lifestyle of Cain's family is a picture of humanity: technical progress matched by moral decline. How do you see this reality in our own civilization?

11. What gives an element of hope in the midst of this sad story (vv. 25-26)?

12. How does the chapter help you understand the characteristics and consequences of sin?

Ask the Lord to help you recognize his voice urging you to stay on the track of his will.

Now or Later

Scan chapter 5 to trace the line from Set to Noah - the subject of the next study.