Quiet lifestyle (Isaac)



Introduction: Several examples abound to justify fighting for our rights. Historically, strives marked the separation from Egypt, as well as advancement in the wilderness, to fighting the inhabitants of Canaan for the Israelites to lay hold of their inheritance. During the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, He warned that God's kingdom had been suffering violence and that only by violence shall it advance. In contemporary times, human rights and "human wrongs" groups are always on the go with authorities, heating up the world. In our daily experiences, we strife in the home, church, workplace, school, business and so on. Today's bible study aims to demonstrate it is not always fighting for what belongs to us, but that a quiet meditative life can be a great treasure.

Text. Gen. 26:1-35
1. Who was Isaac? What kind of background did he have? Hint...note how he followed Abraham to be sacrificed; meditations in the fields as he awaited arrival of wife by Abraham's servant. Gen. 24:63
2. Discuss the actions and reactions of Isaac to: a) famine; b) interrogation; c) strife for resource control; d) daughters in law
3. Identify the outcome in each case, how Isaac was not disadvantaged by his quiet lifestyle.
4. Discuss exceptions in which a quiet lifestyle may become unreasonable.

Summary: We live in a competitive generation. Man and wife, brother and sister, classmates in school, colleagues at workplace are all associations that can and do generate strife. The reality is that there is always space for us. The sky has not become so full of stars that space has become unavailable. Insecurities, doubts, fears and envyings undertone most rivalries. God is the source of peace and assurance. Have faith in God.  

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