Genesis 15:1-6, Genesis 21:1-7
Listening guide
Discussion questions
Notes
Depending on the number of people discussing, it may be easier to split into same gender groups.
You will not have time to discuss all the questions. Discuss those that interest you.
Getting talking
Share a “high” from the week and a “low” from the week.
Who is someone in your life that is as close as a blood relative?
Getting into Genesis
God made a covenant with Abraham to give him many descendants. However, there was a time that he and his wife, Sarah, doubted God’s words. What lessons can be gained from the ill-advised Hagar and Ishmael episode in Genesis 16?
In ancient societies, having a blood line heir was important. However, God tells us that the unity of believers is a special bond that transcends genetic ties. “Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother and sister and mother.” (Jesus, Matthew 12:50)
Read Galatians 3:6-9
In Genesis 17:9-27, God instructed Abraham to circumcise His descendants as a sign that they were heirs of the covenant God made with Abraham. In somewhat similar fashion, God’s covenant to rescue us through faith in Jesus has a sign: baptism. We baptize children and new Christians as a sign of their entrance into the new covenant and as a means by which God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39).
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we are all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” - 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
Many passages in the New Testament (ex: Matthew 5:24, Galatians 6:10) reinforce the idea that we are to have a special bond as fellow believers, even to the point of calling one another “brother” and “sister”.
On a scale of 1-10, how easily do you let new people into your life? Why?
What’s a step you can take toward having more fellowship with other believers?
What was God’s purpose in promising Abraham many descendants? (See Genesis 12:3) What’s a step you can take to invite non-believers to rub elbows with believers in your life?
Wrap up
How did you see God at work in your life this week?
What has God been teaching you in his Word?
What’s something that you would like someone else to check in with you about this week?
What kind of conversations are you having with non-Christians?
Pray for one another.