Brian Dembowczyk's Blog, page 5

Isaac and Rebekah

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 24 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 11: Isaac and RebekahGenesis 24:1–67Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story jumps ahead in time from the last one. Abraham’s wife Sarah has died and Isaac is grown up by now. It’s time for him to find a wife, especially since he is the chosen son to keep Abraham’s family growing. This is the eleventh story in Act 3:God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 24:1–67

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

Abraham was now quite old. He made one of his servants promise that he would not find Isaac a wife from the people where they lived, but rather that he would find one from his home country. The servant asked if no woman was willing to return from that home country, should he take Isaac there, but Abraham said not to do that. If no woman was willing to return, the promise was ended.

The servant then took ten camels with him and went to Abraham’s home country. He arrived by a well and prayed that God would show him what woman would be a good wife for Isaac. His test was that the woman who offered to water his camels would be the one.

Before he finished praying, Rebekah came to the well. When the servant asked for a drink of water, she offered to water his camels. After the camels were done drinking, the servant gave Rebekah some gold jewelry and asked if he could spend the night in her family’s home. At this point, the servant knew this was the right woman.

When the servant arrived at the house, he met Rebekah’s brother, Laban. He then told them all about why he was there and his test. He then asked if Rebekah would go back with him, and Laban and Rebekah both agreed.

When they had returned, the servant took Rebekah to Isaac and he explained all that had happened. Isaac married Rebekah and loved her, and she was a comfort to him after his mother’s death.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

Why didn’t Abraham want Isaac to marry a woman from where they lived?Why didn’t Abraham want Isaac to travel to his home country?Why did the servant make watering the camels a test?Why were Rebekah, Laban, and their family so eager to welcome the servant?Why did Rebekah’s family want her to stay with them longer before going?Why did Rebekah put a veil on when she saw Isaac?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder how old Isaac was?I wonder why a servant needed to find a wife for Isaac.I wonder how much water Rebekah had to draw for the camels.I wonder how Rebekah and her family felt about all this.I wonder what it was like for Rebekah to leave her home and family.I wonder what it was like when Rebekah and Isaac met.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

In this story, we see amazing trust in God, hospitality, kindness, and love. It gives us a good picture of how God intended his people to live together. We see Abraham caring for his son, Isaac. We see Abraham’s servant agreeing to make an important promise. We see that servant turning to God for guidance. We see Rebekah showing amazing hospitality—watering that many camels wasn’t easy—and kindness. And we see Rebekah and her family seeing God’s hand in what had happened and following in obedience.

None of these people were perfect, of course. We’ve seen Abraham make mistakes, we’ll see Isaac make one soon, and we’ll see Laban make more later. But in this account, they give us a wonderful picture of people living together in harmony, following God’s guidance. And that’s exactly what God intended.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

Two marks that stand out of this account is love and hospitality. Love is what drove Abraham to send his servant to get a wife for Isaac. Love is what prompted the servant to make the promise and go. And love is what cemented Isaac and Rebekah together. But love for God undergirds it all.

We also see tremendous hospitality in this story. The culture of that day valued hospitality—even to a stranger like this. But Rebekah and her family seemed to go above and beyond. They went the extra mile instead of doing the minimum.

Both of these characteristics remind us of Jesus who displays perfect love for God and us and who lived on earth with amazing hospitality—always seeking to make strangers friends.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

How can you show someone hospitality this week? How can you treat someone with friendship, love, and kindness? Think about people who you know of or barely know, especially anyone who seems like he or she might need a friend. What will you do to be a friend to them?

Who can you show the love of Jesus to this week? What are some ways you can love your family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers with the amazing and powerful love of Jesus?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 12: Isaac and Abimelech (Genesis 26:1–33)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Family Discipleship that Works Updates

TLDR: Family Discipleship that Works is due to release October 8, 2024, and things are moving along for that to happen. I received my advance copies and I was recently able to contribute a related post at The Pastor’s Workshop.

Things are moving right along with the release of Family Discipleship that Works, slated for October 8. As we draw close, this means it is peak “get the word out” season. Creating awareness of a book, and, for lack of a better word, buzz around its release is really helpful to get the flywheel moving. So, podcasts, blog posts, and speaking opportunities are at the top of the agenda.

The Pastor’s Workshop Blog Post

I was so grateful to have the opportunity to write a blog post for “The Pastor’s Workshop.” The post is called “A New Direction for Family Discipleship” and is based on some of the major beats of the book. You can read that and tons of other content here: https://thepastorsworkshop.com/blog/family-discipleship.

Unboxing

Did you really write a book if you don’t post an unboxing video? I don’t think so. While this wasn’t something I was most comfortable doing, it’s kind of one of those fun, expected things that go along with getting a book out into the wild.

One thing I didn’t mention in the video is that the cover is one of those textured ones; it feels nice!

Isaac Is Nearly Sacrificed

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 22 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 10: Isaac Is Nearly SacrificedGenesis 22:1–19Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story is a troubling one, at least at first. After waiting so many years for a son to be born, God tells Abraham he is to sacrifice that son. Why would God want that? But in the end, we’ll understand what God was doing. This is the tenth story in Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 22:1–19

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

After Isaac was born, God tested Abraham. He told Abraham to take Isaac to a mountain top and offer him as a sacrifice to God. So, early the next morning, Abraham got up and began the journey with Isaac, two servants, and the wood for the burnt offering.

Three days later, they arrived at the mountain and Abraham and Isaac, who carried the wood, went up the mountain. But just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, the angel of the Lord stopped him. The angel told Abraham not to harm Isaac. God had seen that Abraham was faithful.

Then, Abraham saw a ram caught in some bushes and he sacrificed it to God. After that, the angel called out to Abraham and repeated the promises God had made to him—to bless him and grow his family.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

Why did God want to test Abraham?Where is Moriah?Why did Abraham take wood with him?How did Abraham know which mountain was the right one?Why did Abraham tell the servants that he and Isaac would return?How old was Isaac?What did Abraham mean when he said God would provide a lamb?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder how Abraham felt when God told him to sacrifice Isaac.I wonder why Abraham left so quickly.I wonder what that three-day trip was like.I wonder if Isaac willingly was tied up on the altar.I wonder how Isaac felt.I wonder how Abraham felt when the angel told him to stop.I wonder what it was like for Abraham and Isaac to walk down the mountain.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

This is the first time the word love is used in the Bible. It was right for Abraham to love Isaac. But God’s test was if Abraham loved him even more. God wanted to see if Abraham loved him enough to obey him—even to do something that made absolutely no sense and was perhaps the hardest thing ever to do.

This is the world God designed. He designed it to be one in which we love him far and above anything else and in which we obey him completely. It is unlikely that God would have had Abraham follow through on sacrificing Isaac. Child sacrifice is condemned by God in the Bible. But if Abraham had anything in his life that was an idol, it would have been Isaac. Abraham shows us, though, that it’s right to love good things from God as much as we can, as long as that love is never greater than our love for God.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

This story is often seen as a powerful picture of what God has done for us. Just like Abraham was a loving father who was willing to sacrifice his son, God is the loving Father who did sacrifice his Son. And just as Isaac was the obedient son who carried the wood for the sacrifice up the mountain, Jesus was the obedient Son who carried the wooden cross for his sacrifice up Calvary. In the end, God provided a substitute to be sacrificed to spare Isaac, but Jesus became the substitute for us.

As amazing as that picture is, we can’t miss how Jesus loves the Father and obeyed him perfectly while he was on earth. Jesus shows us what loving obedience is to look like.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

Who can you show the love of Jesus to this week? What are some ways you can love your family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers with the amazing and powerful love of Jesus?

How can you obey God this week, in big ways and small ways, so that people might see Jesus in you? Think about all the places you will be this week and what you will do. How can you obey God and people he has placed in authority with joy?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 11: Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 24:1–67)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Isaac Is Born

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 21 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 9: Isaac Is BornGenesis 21:1–21Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story is a festive one, at least for the most part. Several stories after God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, this one describes how that boy—Isaac—is born at last. But once Isaac is born, Abraham and Sarah do something quite unkind to another child and his mother. This is the ninth story of Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 21:1–21

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

Just like God had promised, Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. They named him Isaac. Abraham obeyed Gods instruction and circumcised Isaac when the child was eight days old. Abraham was 100 years old.

Sarah said that God had made her laugh and that others would laugh with her. She couldn’t believe that she and Abraham could have a child at their age.

Later, when Isaac was weaned, they made a feast to celebrate but Sarah saw that Ishmael, Hagar’s son, was mocking. She told Abraham to throw out Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham was not happy with Sarah’s desires, but God told him that he would provide for Ishmael. So the next morning, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away.

Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the wilderness and when they were out of water, she placed Ishmael under a shrub and went away from him because she didn’t want to watch him die. She sat and cried.

But the angel of God called Hagar and told her not to be afraid. She should get Ishmael and take him by the hand. Hagar then saw a well and they had plenty to drink.

God was with Ishmael and he grew. He became an archer and he married an Egyptian.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

Why did Sarah laugh? How old was a child when he was weaned?Why did Sarah’s demand displease Abraham?Why would God allow Hagar to be sent away?How was Hagar unable to see the well before?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder how Sarah responded when she learned she was pregnant.I wonder if Sarah remembered how she had laughed at God a year before.I wonder who and why Ishmael mocked.I wonder why Hagar wandered in the wilderness.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

This story reminds us once again of God’s faithfulness and his provision for his people. He had promised a son, and even if it took 25 years for Isaac to be born, he was. Sarah’s laughter of doubt turned into laughter of joy. While we also see an example of obedience, in Abraham circumcising Isaac and then later listening to God’s instructions concerning Hagar and Ishmael, two bigger parts of this story show us how the current world is not as it should be.

First, we see a lack of compassion from Sarah, especially, and Abraham, to a degree, toward Hagar and Ishmael. Sarah had attempted to send Hagar off before, and here, she does it again. She had no care for her handmaid and the son she had had with Abraham. While Abraham was unhappy with Sarah’s demands, and God told him to do it, Abraham still sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Which takes us to the second way we see the brokenness in our world: a lack of generosity.

Even if Abraham couldn’t be faulted for sending Hagar and Ishmael away because God had sanctioned it, we have to wonder why he didn’t provide them with more than just some food and water. He was extremely wealthy. Why not give her more along with an animal or two to carry it? Or perhaps even a servant or two?

God had been abundantly compassionate toward Abraham and Sarah and generous in giving them so much wealth and now a son. But in this episode, we see a lack of both of those.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

The lack of compassion and generosity from Abraham and Sarah toward Hagar and Ishmael, leaving them to die of hunger and thirst in the wilderness, reminds us of the compassion and generosity of Jesus—namely when he fed the multitudes. Unlike Abraham, Jesus had compassion on those who were hungry and he provided an abundance of food for them when they were a ways from a town where they could have gotten food. Jesus demonstrates his compassion and generosity in a far greater way by providing for our spiritual hunger and thirst, namely by laying down his life so we can be forgiven from sin.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

How can you show others compassion this week? How can not only care about others, but act on that care by doing whatever you can for them, especially if they are in need. What can you do with your time, money, and possessions to help others in need?

How can you be amazingly generous with someone this week to show them Jesus? Who might you be generous toward, how might you do it, and when might you do it?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 10: Isaac Is Nearly Sacrificed (Genesis 22:1–19)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Abraham and Abimelech

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 20 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 8: Abraham and AbimelechGenesis 20:1–18Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story might sound familiar, because many of its details are. It shares much in common with Genesis 12:10–20, when Abraham and Sarah lived in Egypt for a time. Today’s story is the eighth in Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 20:1–18

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

Abraham and Sarah went to live in Gerar. There, he said that Sarah was his sister, so Abimelech, the king of Gerar, took Sarah from him. God, though, gave Abimelech a dream saying he would die because he took someone’s wife. Abimelech asked why God would do that since Abraham said Sarah was his sister and Sarah had said the same. God told him that he knew that, which is why he wasn’t dead yet. Instead, if he gave Sarah back to Abraham, Abraham would pray for him and spare his life.

The next morning, he called for Abraham and asked why he had done this to him. Abraham responded that it was because he thought that no one feared God there and they would kill him and take Sarah. Furthermore, Abraham said she was his half-sister, so they hadn’t lied.

Abimelech gave Abraham Sarah back, along with possessions and silver. Abraham prayed to God, and God spared Abimelech and healed the people.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

Why did Abraham and Sarah go to Gerar?Why would God have killed Abimelech if he didn’t know Sarah was Abraham’s wife?Why did Abimelech give Abraham possessions and silver after he had been wronged by him?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder why people kept trying to take Sarah, even though she was older.I wonder what Abimelech’s dream was like.I wonder how Sarah felt about saying she was Abraham’s sister.I wonder what it was like for Sarah to be taken by someone like this.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

This is another story where we see a mixture of what is wrong with God’s world and hints of what it’s supposed to be like. This one is interesting in that the roles seem to be reversed—the unbelieving king Abimelech shows us more of how things are supposed to be and the believing Abraham shows us more of how things aren’t supposed to be.

King Abimelech shows amazing hospitality to Abraham—before his dishonesty is exposed and even after. Abimelech, it seems, welcomes Abraham and Sarah to live in his land at first, and then after confronting Abraham, gives him possessions, silver, and allows him to live anywhere he’d like. We might expect him to have expelled Abraham. But he didn’t.

Meanwhile, Abraham once again seems to lack faith in God. God had promised him and Sarah that they would have a son within a year—that couldn’t happen if one or both of them were dead, or if Sarah were taken by another. While God’s promises don’t mean we can live recklessly, here, we see Abraham make the opposite mistake and not live with confidence. As such, Abraham shows us a lack of obedience.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

Abimelech’s hospitality reminds us of Jesus’. Jesus extended friendship to others, even when they were not the best of friends to him and even though their sins would lead him to the cross. He still does the same, pursuing friendship with us even though, at least at times, we aren’t the best of friends in return.

Abraham’s disobedience points to the obedience of Jesus. Jesus obeyed, not just at risk of his life, but knowing his obedience would surely cause his death, as dying on the cross was an act of obedience. Unlike Abraham and like Jesus, we are to live in obedience in big and small ways despite the risk—real or perceived.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

How can you show someone hospitality this week? How can you treat someone with friendship, love, and kindness? Think about people who you know of or barely know, especially anyone who seems like he or she might need a friend. What will you do to be a friend to them?

How can you obey God this week, in big ways and small ways, so that people might see Jesus in you? Think about all the places you will be this week and what you will do. How can you obey God and people he has placed in authority with joy?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 9: Isaac Is Born (Genesis 21:1–21)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Sodom and Gomorrah

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 18—19 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 7: Sodom and GomorrahGenesis 18:1—19:29Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story continues the story of Abraham, but it takes a slight detour. Instead of continuing to see what comes of God’s promise to provide Isaac, we return our attention to Lot and see what happens with him, and the unwise choice he had made to live in an ungodly place. Today’s story is the seventh in Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 18:1—19:29 [Note: consider paraphrasing 19:4–8, especially if you have younger children.]

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

Abraham saw three men and invited them to have a meal. Abraham had a meal prepared for his guests and they ate it together. The men asked where Sarah was told Abraham that she would have a son within a year. Sarah heard this and laughed, thinking she was too old.

The Lord asked why Sarah laughed; nothing is impossible for God. Sarah lied and said she did not laugh, but the Lord knew she had.

When the men got up to leave toward Sodom, the Lord decided not to hold back what was going to happen. So he told Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah’s sins were great and he was going to confirm it.

Abraham asked if God would wipe out the city of 50 godly people were found. The Lord said he would not.

Abraham asked God if he would wipe out the city if 40 people were found. The Lord said he would not.

Abraham asked God if he would wipe out the city if 30 people were found. The Lord said he would not.

Abraham asked God if he would wipe out the city if 20 people were found. The Lord said he would not.

Finally, Abraham asked God if he would wipe out the city if just 10 people were found. The Lord said he would not. Then the Lord went on.

That evening, two angels visited Lot. Lot invited them to stay the night with him. Lot prepared a meal for them, and they ate. During the night, the men of the city came and wanted to sin against the two angels. Lot pleaded with them not to, but the men of the city insisted.

The men in Lot’s house pulled him safely inside, and then they struck the people of the city with blindness. The two visitors warned Lot to take his family and flee because God was about to destroy the city.

At dawn, the angels told Lot to flee. They then led them outside the city, and warned them to run and not look back. They were to escape to the mountains. Lot asked if they could go to a nearby town instead and the angels agreed.

Then, the Lord rained sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah. But Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into salt.

That morning, Abraham saw the smoke coming from the cities. God had made good on his promise to do that, but also on his promise to spare Lot and his family.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

Who were the three men? The Lord and two angels?Why was Abraham so eager to provide a meal for the strangers?Why did Sarah laugh after what God had promised?Did God really not know how wicked Sodom was?Why was Abraham concerned for the city?Did Lot know the two were angels?Why was Lot so eager to provide a meal for the strangers?For teens/older kids: Why would Lot offer his daughters to the men of the city in that way?Why did Lot hesitate leaving?Why did Lot want to go to a nearby town instead of the mountains?Why couldn’t the angels do anything until Lot reached safety?Why did Lot’s wife long for Sodom?Why was Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder what these three travelers looked like.I wonder how long it took Abraham, and Sarah to make the meal for their guests.I wonder how Abraham responded to the promise of a son.I wonder why the story mentions Sarah lying and the Lord correcting her.I wonder how large Sodom was that not even 10 godly people were in it.I wonder if the women in Sodom were as evil as the men.I wonder why the two sons-in-law didn’t take the warning seriously.I wonder what it looked like for fire and sulfur to rain from the sky. I wonder what it looked like for Lot’s wife to become salt.I wonder what Lot and his daughters thought and felt about Lot’s wife.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

On the whole, this account shows more of like what God’s world shouldn’t look like. We have Sarah doubting God’s promise yet again. We have an unimaginably wicked city. We have Lot, willing to submit his daughters to terrible things. We have Lot’s wife disobeying a clear warning and looking back longingly at a wicked city being destroyed. But with all this wrong, there is surely some wonderful windows giving us a view of how God’s world is supposed to be.

We have the hospitality of Abraham and Lot toward the visitors. We have Abraham’s compassion for Sodom, doing his best to intercede for the city, even at risk of pushing God too far. But most of all, we see forgiveness in this story. That might sound odd in an account centered on the fiery destruction of two cities, but we can’t forget that Lot was not owed rescue, except for God determining to do that.

Lot doesn’t stand out as a hallmark of godliness. It starts with his desire to live near a wicked city, that, it seems, he at some point chose to live within. His offer of his daughters to the men of Sodom is unconscionable. Then, he lacked faith to flee to the hills as instructed, desiring to live near another city instead. But, God spared him and his daughters, reminding us of how amazing God’s grace and forgiveness is.

These widows of hospitality, compassion, and forgiveness give us a glimpse of how God designed his world to be.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

Abraham and Lot’s insistence on extending hospitality to apparent strangers is impressive, but not nearly as much as Jesus’ insistence on extending hospitality not just to strangers, but his adversaries too. Jesus even ate with the Pharisees—leaders who were out to get him. His love and desire to know people is what we are to imitate.

The compassion of Abraham and the forgiveness of God in this story also point us to the amazing compassion and forgiveness of Jesus. Just as Abraham interceded for the city out of his compassion, Jesus interceded for us out of his. And just as God extended amazing forgiveness to Lot, sparing him from destruction, Jesus has made the one and only way for us to be forgiven by God and spared from eternal separation from him.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

How can you show someone hospitality this week? How can you treat someone with friendship, love, and kindness? Think about people who you know of or barely know, especially anyone who seems like he or she might need a friend. What will you do to be a friend to them?

How can you show others compassion this week? How can not only care about others, but act on that care by doing whatever you can for them, especially if they are in need. What can you do with your time, money, and possessions to help others in need?

Who do you need to forgive? Who has wronged you in a big way or a small way that you can truly forgive? How can you let that person know they are forgiven? Who might you ask to forgive you for something you’ve done wrong?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 8: Abraham and Abimelech (Genesis 20:1–18)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Isaac Is Promised

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 17 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 6: Isaac Is PromisedGenesis 17:1–27Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story is another one that concerns a promised son for Abram. Years before, God had promised a son and even when Abram and Sarai tried to take things into their own hands, God would not back away from that promise. This is the sixth story of Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 17:1–27 [Note: Consider omitting or paraphrasing v. 11, especially if you have younger children.]

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

When Abram was 99 years old, God appeared to him again to confirm the promises he had made to him. God told Abram that he would be a father of a large people. He also changed his name to Abraham. Nations would come from him as would kings. The covenant God had made with Abraham would be passed down through his family. God would also give Abraham the land of Canaan.

God also told Abraham that he and his family must follow God’s commands. One of those commands was for all the males to be circumcised. God also said that Sarai would now be named Sarah. God would give Abraham and Sarah a son.

When Abraham heard this, he bowed down and laughed. He asked God how he at 99 years old and Sarah at 90 years old could have a son. His hope was in Ishmael.

God told Abraham that he and Sarah would indeed have a son and they were to name him Isaac. God would continue the covenant through Isaac. But God would also bless Ishmael. Abraham and Sarah, however, would give birth to Isaac within the year.

After God left, Abraham obeyed God and circumcised all the males in his house.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

What does “the sovereign God” mean?What does it mean to walk before God and be blameless?Why did God change Abram’s name to Abraham?Why did God remind Abram of these promises again?What is circumcision and why was it a sign of the covenant?Why did God change Sarai’s name to Sarah?Why wasn’t Ishmael be good enough?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder how long before this Abram had given up hope in having a son with Sarai.I wonder how God appeared to Abram.I wonder how Abram felt about his name change.I wonder why circumcision is important to God.I wonder how Sarai felt about her name change.I wonder what it was like for Abraham to hear he and Sarah would have Isaac a year from then.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

This story reminds us that God is true. He is faithful. What he says he will do, he will do. Even if the timing seems off to us. It had been over 20 years since God first promised Abraham he would have a son. He was old then, he was even older now. If he had any hope in God’s promise before, it probably was gone by now. But God would not budge on the promise he had made. He would not find an easier way out either. Ishmael would not be the son of promise—that son would come through Abraham and Sarah. Even though Abraham and Sarah doubted, even though they had messed up in different ways, and even though Abraham literally laughed at God, God remained faithful to his promises. And he even went above and beyond by promising to bless Ishmael, the son of doubting the promise.

This displays the world, at least in part, that God intends. God will be true, always no matter what. And he will be good, always no matter what. He wants to bless his people. However, he wants us to trust in him, believe his promises no matter what, and obey him. Abraham, especially, will prove to obey God far more than so many others in Scripture, but even he could not obey—and believe—perfectly. Here, we see Abraham rebounded from his laughing at God to obey his command to circumcise his household. That could not have been easy to keep. How do you explain what you are doing? How do you explain the reason for it? Yet, Abraham somehow humbled himself to obey God’s command no matter how odd or difficult it might have been.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

God was incredibly generous to Abraham in continuing to fulfill his promise to provide a son even when Abraham doubted and to bless Ishmael, the son who existed only because Abraham’s faith wavered. In this, we are reminded of Christ’s generosity. Jesus came to earth and gave himself fully to us, even though he was mocked, scorned, and rejected by his own people, even his own brothers.

We also see Jesus in the humility of Abraham. Abraham falling to the ground was an outward sign of what was going on within him. He was not perfect in humility, but he was striving to be. Jesus, however, was perfectly humble. Jesus always put the Father first and others second during his time on earth.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

How can you be amazingly generous with someone this week to show them Jesus? Who might you be generous toward, how might you do it, and when might you do it?

How can you be especially humble this week? Remember, humility is not thinking poorly of yourself; it is thinking more highly of God and others. It is putting God first, others second, and yourself third. What are ways that you can display humility with your friends, family, and others to show them Jesus?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 7: Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:1—19:29)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Ishmael Is Born

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 16 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 5: Ishmael Is BornGenesis 16:1–16Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story describes a lower point in Abram’s life. It’s one that continues to remind us that Abram wasn’t perfect and that going our own way rather than God’s way never works out. This is the fifth story in Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 16:1–16

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

Because Sarai and Abram still did not have any children, Sarai told him to try to have a child with her servant Hagar. Abram did as Sarai said. Hagar became pregnant and as soon as she did, she hated Sarai. So, Sarai treated Hagar harshly and Hagar ended up running away.

Then, the angel of the Lord found Hagar in the wilderness and told her to return to Sarai and Abram. The angel promised that Hagar would have a large family. She was to name her son Ishmael. He would be a wild man and not get along with others.

Hagar gave birth to a son and named him Hagar as she had been instructed. This happened when Abram was 86 years old.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

How long has it been since God promised Abram and Sarai children?Had God prevented Sarai from having children?Why did Hagar hate Sarai?Why did Sarai blame Abram?Should Abram have done more for Hagar?Who or what is the angel of the Lord?Why did the angel of the Lord want Hagar to return?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder how Hagar felt about all that happened.I wonder what Sarai meant when she said God should judge between her and Abram.I wonder how Abram felt about all that happened.I wonder how Hagar felt about being told to return.I wonder how Hagar felt about the angel’s message of how Ishmael would be hostile with everyone.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

This story shows us several things that are wrong, that God wants to make better. Neither Abram nor Sarai live in faith. They both fail to trust God and wait patiently for him to make good on his promises. Instead, they take matters into their own hands. This leads to several strained and broken relationships. Sarai and Hagar begin to fight. Sarai and Abram don’t get along the best. Abram seems to do very little to care for Hagar and to prevent wrongs being done to her. Then, we read of how Hagar’s son, Ishmael would be hostile with everyone.

God did not intend for any of this. Rather, he wants us to live in faith and to go out of our way to care for others—to treat them with love, respect, and honor. He wants us to value our relationships and be welcoming and supportive. But if something goes wrong, he wants us to be quick to forgive and restore.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

No one shows us what forgiveness and hospitality can and should look like more than Jesus. He models what forgiveness—full and immediate—is to be like. It’s possible. It isn’t easy, but it is attainable. He experienced the greatest of wrongs done to him, but every moment of the way, his heart was fixed on forgiving others. That’s what God wants from us too. At the same time, Jesus shows us what it looks like to pursue friendships with others. While Sarai was running Hagar off, Hagar was running off, and Abram was standing by aimlessly, Jesus shows what it’s like to pursue friendships and peace with others. He didn’t run people off. He didn’t run off. He didn’t stand off. He pursued people to know them and be with them. That’s our calling too.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

Who do you need to forgive? Who has wronged you in a big way or a small way that you can truly forgive? How can you let that person know they are forgiven? Who might you ask to forgive you for something you’ve done wrong?

How can you show someone hospitality this week? How can you treat someone with friendship, love, and kindness? Think about people who you know of or barely know, especially anyone who seems like he or she might need a friend. What will you do to be a friend to them?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 6: Isaac Is Promised (Genesis 17:1–27)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Abraham Is Given a Covenant from God

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 15 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 4: Abraham Is Given a Covenant from GodGenesis 15:1–21Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story is one that shows us God doesn’t forget his promises. Ever. The promise he made to Abram in Genesis 12 still stands. And finally Abram will believe God in faith. This is the fourth story of Act 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 15:1–21

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

God appeared to Abram in a vision and told him he would protect and reward him. Abram responded by asking how this would be since he still did not have a son to be his heir.

God replied that he would give Abram a son. He told him to go outside and look at the stars and try to count them. He’d have more descendants than there are stars.

Abram believed God and God credited that faith as righteousness.

God then reminded Abram of the promise he had made to give him the land and Abram asked how he could know it was his. God told him to take a cow, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a pigeon. Abram cut each of the first three in half and placed the halves apart from each other.

At night, Abram fell asleep and had a frightening dream. God told him that his descendants would be enslaved for 400 years but God would judge the nation that enslaves them and return them to the land with many possessions. He told Abram that he would live a long life.

Then, a smoking firepot with a flame passed between the animal parts. God made a covenant with Abram promising to give him the land.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

Who was Eliezer of Damascus?What does it mean that God credited Abram’s belief as righteousness?Did Abram know what to do with the animals on his own, or did God tell him?Why were the animals three years old?Why weren’t the birds cut in half?Why was Abram afraid as he slept?What is God talking about concerning Abram’s descendants being slaves for 400 years?What does the sin of the Amorites have to do with God’s plans to bring Abram’s people back from this captivity?What does the smoking firepot and flaming torch passing through the animals mean?Was this a different covenant, or a reminder of the one God had made in Genesis 12?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder what Abram’s vision was like.I wonder if God was upset that Abram kept asking him questions.I wonder if Abram tried to count the stars.I wonder why Abram finally believed God here.I wonder if Abram was confused by his dream.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

God had already promised Abram that he would have a large family, that the land he was in would be given to him, and that he would be blessed (Gen. 12:1–3). But when God reminded him of this promise, Abram doubted. God’s response was patient and kind. He addressed Abram’s concerns and made further promises to Abram. This shows us the generous nature of God. This is how God wants to be with his people. He wants to bless us. He wants us to experience goodness. He wants us to trust him and follow him.

God was going to give Abram that family and that land. He had already begun blessing him. But here, we see God’s great generosity in giving Abram the greatest blessing there is: salvation. Verse 6 is considered Abram’s conversion. It is when he trusted in God and was saved. That is how God crediting righteousness to Abram’s faith is all about. Abram will still struggle in his faith after this. He will still sin. But from this point forward, he is in right relationship with God and is forgiven. This is the most generous thing God can do for us.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

God gave Abram a family. He gave him a land. And he gave him salvation. He has done all this for us when we trust in Jesus. When we place faith in Jesus, we are made part of God’s family—the church. We are given a new home—the new heavens and earth that will be made one day. And we experience the priceless blessing of being forgiven of our sins and being made right with God.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

How can you be amazingly generous with someone this week to show them Jesus? Who might you be generous toward, how might you do it, and when might you do it?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 5: Ishmael Is Born (Genesis 16:1–16)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.

Abraham and Melchizedek

TLDR: A guide for having a family discipleship time on Genesis 14 based on the ACT Bible Study Method.

Act 3: God Promises JesusScene 3: Abraham and MelchizedekGenesis 14:1–24Analyze the PassageStep 1: Introduce the Passage

Genesis was written by Moses sometime between 1445–1405 BC to help the Israelites leaving Egypt understand their history with God. It’s one of the five books of the Law that Moses wrote, which we also call the Torah, or the Pentateuch, which means “five books.”

Today’s true story begins to show how Lot’s choice to live among the cities wasn’t wise and what Abram did for his nephew. It also introduced a mysterious but important person into the Bible’s big story. This is the third story in Acts 3: God Promises Jesus.

Step 2: Read the Passage

Genesis 14:1–24

Step 3: Summarize the Passage

Four kings were at war with five kings. One of those kings was the king of Sodom, which is nearby where Lot had chosen to live. The kings that included the one of Sodom lost and the winning four kings too Lot and his possessions along with many other things as loot.

When Abram heard what happened, he took 318 men with him and they defeated the victorious kings who had taken Lot. Abram retrieved Lot, all Lot’s property, the other stolen property, and the other people who had been taken.

When Abram returned, the king of Sodom and Melchizedek, king of Salam and the priest of God, came out to meet Abram. Melchizedek blessed Abram. Abram gave him a tenth of his possessions.

The king of Sodom offered to let Abram keep the possessions he had returned with, but Abram refused. He did not want anyone to think the king of Sodom had made him rich. All he took was compensation for food that had been eaten and wanted those who had gone with him to be rewarded.

Step 4: Interrogate the Passage

Questions you and your family ask might include:

Why were all these kings fighting?What happened when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fell into the tar pits?How large was the army that the 318 trained men defeated?Why did Abram give Melchizedek a tenth of his possessions?Why did Abram not want people to think the king of Sodom had made him wealthy?Step 5: Wonder about the Passage

Wonder statements you and your family make might include:

I wonder what the kings were going to do with Lot and the other people they took.I wonder how many people and how much property had been stolen.I wonder how much a tenth of Abram’s possessions was.I wonder if the king of Sodom was offended by Abram’s refusal to take a reward.Connect the Passage to ChristStep 6: Find the World in Front of Text

This story shows us how broken this world is. It features a major war, stealing, and kidnapping. These actions were driven by greed, selfishness, and heartlessness. Sin has broken the world that much and more.

But this story also shows us of what the world was supposed to be, can be in part, and will be in full in the future. In this account, we also see the courageous compassion of Abram. He risks his life and well-being to rescue Lot and the others. We see loyalty—his for Lot and his allies for him. We see hospitality. Melchizedek brought bread and wine for Abram, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of his possessions, the king of Sodom offered Abram a reward, and Abram ensured his allies were taken care of. These acts of generosity and kindness were driven by hospitality—the desire to form and preserve friendships.

Step 7: Find the World of Jesus of the Text

When it comes to compassion and hospitality, no one shows us a better example than Jesus. His earthly ministry was filled with actions of both. He truly cared for people and did all he could for them. He also valued friendships and made them a priority. More than that, his coming to earth and dying on the cross were driven by his compassion for our lost condition and because of what he has done, when we trust in him, we become part of God’s family. We are more than friends; we are siblings of Christ and children of God.

We can see a picture of Jesus’ work of bringing salvation in what Abram did in this story. Abram heard his nephew was in distress, so he chased after him, rescued him from slavery and possibly death, and then returned him and others. In a greater way, Jesus came to earth, rescued us from slavery of sin and spiritual death, and returned us into relationship with God.

We also see Jesus in the mysterious person Melchizedek. He seems to be quite important, but we don’t really hear from him again until the New Testament book of Hebrews. “King of Salem” could also be understood as “King of Peace.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He wasn’t only a king, but a priest too. Jesus is the prophet, priest, and king. And then Abram gave him a tenth—a tithe—showing that Melchizedek was in a position of spiritual authority. Like Jesus.

Some people believe that Melchizedek is a theophany or christophany—an appearance of the Son of God on earth before the advent. There are a few places where the Bible speaks of “the angel of the Lord” and this specific angel at times acts and speaks like God. Those are often understood in the same way. But even if Melchizedek was a normal person, he was as least chosen by God as a special priest—which is what the writer of Hebrews talks about.

Translate It to Your ContextStep 8: Connect the World of Jesus of the Text to Your World

How can you show others compassion this week? How can not only care about others, but act on that care by doing whatever you can for them, especially if they are in need. What can you do with your time, money, and possessions to help others in need?

How can you show someone hospitality this week? How can you treat someone with friendship, love, and kindness? Think about people who you know of or barely know, especially anyone who seems like he or she might need a friend. What will you do to be a friend to them?

NEXT: Act 3: God Promises Jesus; Scene 4: Abraham Is Given a Covenant from God (Genesis 15:1–21)

Learn more about this family discipleship method here.