Part 3 – God Will Provide
Discussion Guide
After God had fulfilled His promise to Abraham of giving him a son in his old age, God asks him to sacrifice this child of promise. Through this story we learn that, though testing is difficult and does not make sense, we can trust God. In this study, let’s learn how to be faithful when tested.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. What is a test or challenge you’ve faced recently that you're proud of overcoming?
2. Expect to be tested. Read Genesis 22:1. How does God initiate the test? What does Abraham's response signify? What is your typical response to God? Read 1 Peter 1:13. How can you prepare your mind to be tested?
3. Learn to trust God’s nature. Read Genesis 22:2-3. How can knowing God’s character answer many of our questions about scripture? How can our experience of God (in the past) help us during uncertain or confusing times?
4. Learn to worship during the test. Read Genesis 22:4-5 and 1 Peter 4:12. How does Abraham embrace the test? What tells you that Abraham was trusting God? How have you experienced the act of worship changing your heart in the middle of a situation?
5. Remember the rewards. Read 1 Peter 4:13-14. How can you rejoice amid trouble? What do you think “sharing in Christ’s suffering” means? (If you have time, read Philippians 3:8-11 for another passage on sharing the sufferings of Christ.) What reward do you receive for even slight insults for Jesus’ sake?
6. Trust God Himself to provide. Read Genesis 22:7-11. How can Abraham be so confident that God will provide? Read Hebrews 11:17-19. What does this passage say Abraham was thinking as he prepared to offer his son? Finally, how did God provide for Himself a sacrifice, both in this case and for us? Read Genesis 22:13-14. How does this relate to our salvation? Read John 1:29.
7. Lean into the test. Read Genesis 22:15-18 and 1 Peter 1:7. How did Abraham’s test benefit him? Benefit us? How does Peter encourage us when we are going through a time of testing? What is “precious”?
8. Action Step: Reread Genesis 22:4-5. Don’t walk alone. Who are you walking with? Who is supporting you in your testing? Who are you supporting? This is a crucial aspect of the Christian life.