Strength and Courage

Introduction: Ishmael was the product of Abraham’s impatience and Sarah’s solution to the promise of God. People of the Islamic faith teach that he is the son of Abraham through whom the promise was fulfilled. Many Christians believe there would be less religious crises if Ishmael was not born. Indeed, there was a certain instruction to Abraham to cast out the bondwoman and her son. Curious enough, God blessed Ishmael in answer to Abraham’s prayer. Was Ishmael’s destiny determined by the circumstances of his birth? This question and more will be examined in this study. Text: 1.        Ishmael…free discussions. Gen 16:11, Gal 4:23 2.        Discuss the unpleasant circumstances that surrounded him. Gen 21:10 3.        Did he get enough protection from his parents? Gen 17:18; 21:14-17 4.        How did God handle Ishmael? Gen 17:20,23; 21:12,13; 25:12-16 5. ...

Introduction: Hagar a slave maid became prominent in her role to ‘help’ Sarah with the problem of childlessness. This transition from maid to mistress was met with unpleasant circumstances, worst of which produced perpetual enmity against the people of God. In direct dealings with God however, we notice that there was no soreness between Hagar and God. Much of Hagar’s problems were not on words attributed to her but on her attitudes towards Sarah. We will study certain salient points about God based on His dealings with Hagar. Text:   Gen 21:16-21 1                     Who was Hagar? Gen 16:1-4 2                     How did God respond to Hagar in her crises? Gen   16:7-13; 21:16-21 3                ...

Introduction: When Sarai got married to Abram, she expected that she would give birth to children just like most women. Several years passed and yet she did not get pregnant. Abraham kept globe-trotting; from Iraq to Haran, Canaan, Egypt, Gerar and back to Canaan, yet Sarai’s issue remained unsolved. Abram became rich and prominent, able to command a force against 5 prominent kings and to conquer and rescue his cousin, Lot.  At last, when conditions were optimum, Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac (LAUGHTER). Text: Gen 18:10-14 1                         Discuss Sarah’s approach to solving a family problem. Gen 16:2-4 2                         Discuss God’s approach to Sarah’s doubt of the promise of a child. Gen 18:10-14 3   ...

Introduction: From the introduction of Abraham through to the end, we see several times of interactions he had with the Lord, ranging from seeing visions to having physical visitations. It is obvious that those interactions would have contributed to his success story. There is no way that we can get to know God without interacting with Him. It is hoped that this study will introduce, at least in some way, how you can learn certain basic facts that could help you to get acquainted with the Lord. Texts: Gen 15:1-16 1.                   Voice: Gen 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 22:1-3 2.                   Vision/Dream: Gen 15:1,4-5 3.                   Angelic visitations: 18:1,2 4.         ...

Introduction: Where Abraham lived before he was called is not desirable (Babylon), the ancient centre of idolatry and present day Iraq. Although, he was comfortable by the standard of measurement of achievement of his time, he willingly moved to unfamiliar territories at the command of God. The best explanation for this action, if embarked upon at our time is summarised as ambitiousness or discontentment. Text: Gen 11:31-12:1-7 ·          Discuss the command that God gave Abram in Gen 12:1-3. Does God ever invite people to follow Him for nothing? Num 18:31, Psa 58:11, Prov 11:18, Mark 9:41, Heb 11:6 ·          How did Abram obey God’s instructions?   Gen 11:31,32 & 12: 4,5. How can we separate from our past in order to follow the Lord? ·          How did Abram know he had reached the destination? Discuss the first thing he did and why he did it. Ge...