TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Session 1 : Go Anyway............................................................................................................................................7 Session 2 : Wait Regardless..................................................................................................................................12 Session 3 : Willing to Sacrifice.............................................................................................................................19 Session 4 : Brotherly Betrayal...............................................................................................................................28 Session 5 : Surrendered While Suffering............................................................................................................34 Session 6 : God Prevails........................................................................................................................................40
STATEMENTS OF FAITH As Christians, there are some essential truths we believe. We discover these truths in the Bible. At Student Life, we have identified eight truths we believe are essential for every Christian to know and understand. These statements give descriptions of those biblical truths and have been developed to help you talk about your faith. They will help you know what you believe.
GOD IS Only one true and living God exists. He is the Creator of the universe, eternally existing in three Persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each equally deserving of humanity’s worship and obedience. He is infinite and perfect in all His attributes. THE BIBLE IS GOD’S WORD The Bible is God’s written revelation to people, divinely given through human authors who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is entirely true. The Bible is totally sufficient and completely authoritative for matters of life and faith. The goal of God’s Word is the restoration of humanity into His image. PEOPLE ARE GOD’S TREASURE God created people in His image for His glory. They are the crowning work of His creation. Yet every person has willfully disobeyed God—an act known as sin—thus inheriting both physical and spiritual death and the need for salvation. All human beings are born with a sin-nature and into an environment inclined toward sin. Only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ can they experience salvation. JESUS IS GOD AND SAVIOR Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He is Christ, the Son of God. Born of a virgin, He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles. He died on the cross to provide people forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in power and glory.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GOD AND EMPOWERER The Holy Spirit is supernatural and sovereign, baptizing all believers into the Body of Christ. He lives within all Christians beginning at the moment of salvation and then empowers them for bold witness and effective service as they yield to Him. The Holy Spirit convicts individuals of sin, uses God’s Word to mature believers into Christlikeness, and secures them until Christ returns. SALVATION IS BY FAITH ALONE All human beings are born with a sin nature, separated from God, and in need of a Savior. That salvation comes only through a faith relationship with Jesus Christ, the Savior, as a person repents of sin and receives Christ’s forgiveness and eternal life. Salvation is instantaneous and accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. This salvation is wholly of God by grace on the basis of the shed blood of Jesus Christ and not on the basis of human works. All the redeemed are secure in Christ forever. THE CHURCH IS GOD’S PLAN The Holy Spirit immediately places all people who put their faith in Jesus Christ into one united spiritual body, the Church, of which Christ is the head. The primary expression of the Church on earth is in autonomous local congregations of baptized believers. The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by taking the gospel to the entire world and by building its members up in Christ-likeness through the instruction of God’s Word, fellowship, service, worship, and prayer. THE FUTURE IS IN GOD’S HANDS God will bring the world to its appropriate end in His own time and in His own way. At that time, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth. Both the saved and unsaved will be resurrected physically to be judged by Christ. Those who have trusted Christ will receive their reward and dwell forever in heaven with the Lord. Those who have refused Christ will spend eternity in hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The certain return of Christ motivates believers to be faithful in their daily lives.
Introducing No Matter What We sometimes struggle with how to respond to God’s call. His call can seem difficult, and even discomforting. How do we respond when His call requires us to do things we do not want to do. This unit will take a look at six key encounters between God and two individuals, Abraham and Joseph. Each session provides the opportunity to consider how we should respond when God calls us to difficult tasks. braham 1 — God instructed Abraham to leave everything behind and move to a new country and a new life. A How do I respond if God calls me to go where I do not want to go? braham 2 — God made promises to Abraham that seemed impossible. Waiting only made it more difficult for A Abraham to see how God would fulfill those promises. How do I respond if God calls me to wait when I do not want to wait? braham 3 — God fulfilled His promise to Abraham through the birth of Isaac and then asked the unthinkable: A God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his only son. How do I respond if God calls me to give up what I do not want to give up? J oseph 1 — Joseph was the favored son with a great future ahead of him. Yet, God allowed him to be betrayed by his own family. How do I respond if God allows me to be betrayed? J oseph 2 — Joseph did all the right things. He served with integrity and remained faithful to God. Yet, God allowed Joseph to suffer. How do I respond if God allows me to suffer for doing right? J oseph 3 — Although Joseph suffered betrayal and pain, God used him to accomplish His purposes. In spite of the circumstances, I can depend on God to ultimately accomplish His purposes in my life. Prepare yourself to consider, examine, and evaluate God’s Word as you move through this study. Our prayer is that this study will give you the opportunity to better understand how you can respond to God, No Matter What.
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Go Anyway
Leaving My Comfort Zone (Gen. 12:1, 4–5)
Biblical Passages: Genesis 12:1–5; 13:1–18; Hebrews 11:8–10
Abraham’s life in Ur was marked with prosperity, family, and culture. He was surrounded by polytheistic worship, which made his Ur Abraham’s homeencounter with God unique. town was a great When God instructed Abraham city in Mesopotamia to leave his home, Abraham located on the banks responded to a monotheistic of the Euphrates River lifestyle—following one God— in modern-day Iraq. for the first time. Abraham’s Abraham journeyed obedience paved the way for from Ur about 600 God to reveal a plan for the miles northwest to future of all humanity. Abraham the city of Haran. believed not only in the promises of God, but he believed in the God of promises. Abraham surely had a divine encounter that marked the beginning of a life journey of faith.
Supporting Passages: Genesis 11:27–32; 12:6–20; Exodus 6:2–8; Joshua 1:4; Nehemiah 9:5–8; Acts 7:1–8; Romans 4:1–25; Galatians 3:6–9 Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:10 Biblical Truth: God may call me to go where I do not want to go.
Consider . . . At some point in your life have you asked God not to send you somewhere? Maybe you grew up in the southern part of the United States where snow is not a common occurrence and you like the convenience of having a warm beach within driving distance. The thought of moving to a colder climate where a heavy coat and snow boots make up part of everyone’s wardrobe may not entice you.
Reread verses 1 and 4. Abraham was 75 years old when God called him to leave his home and move over 600 miles away. What issues would Abraham have faced in this relocation? __________________________________________
GO ANYWA But what do you do when God clearly says, “move”? What do you do when God directs you to move to an unknown place, but He has not informed the significant others in your family? The phrase “happy wife, happy life” can quickly turn upside down when only the husband hears the command from God to “go and leave everything you know behind.” The patriarch Abraham faced this exact situation in Genesis 12. As you work through this study, consider why God’s call can lead us to places we might not have wanted to go.
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What feelings do you experience when you consider God calling you to leave your home for the unknown?
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Trusting God’s Future (Gen. 12:2–3; 13:1–18)
of Abraham’s blessing comes to all people through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
God not only a called Abraham to obedience, but promised him future blessing. The Hebrew word for “bless” is barak, which means “to bend the knee or kneel.” Abraham’s future blessings came as he submitted each step of his life to God, even when he was required to leave his comfort zone.
Read this passage again. These verses record an epitaph of Abraham’s life. How would you want your faith epitaph to read when your life has ended? __________________________________________ __________________________________________
Abraham responded by moving his entire family and everything he owned to a new place. Among the family members was Abraham’s nephew, Lot. Despite the fact that Abraham’s family also acted in obedience, conflict erupted between Abraham and Lot. Eventually, Lot chose his own place to settle. Abraham continued his journey in obedience to God.
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Reread verses 2–3. Underline each of the seven promises God made to Abraham, recorded in these verses. How might these promises have helped ease Abraham’s concerns about relocating? __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________
Accepting God’s Blessings (Heb. 11:8–10) God stated His promises to Abraham in the future tense. Abraham saw some of the promises revealed during his life. Other promises were fulfilled much later. In Abraham, God established a spiritual, social, and political community—a nation. This nation would experience God’s presence, represent Him on earth, and restore His intended blessing for humanity. God’s greatest fulfillment 8
blessing (barak) God’s desire to bless humanity is a main focus of His covenant relationships. Two key ideas are present when discussing blessing. First, a blessing was a public declaration of a favored status with God. Second, the blessing endowed power for prosperity and success. In all cases, the blessing served as a guide and motivation to pursue a righteous life.
Daily Bible Readings Day 1 Read Genesis 12:1 and Hebrews 11:8. When Abraham obeyed God’s instructions to relocate, he had to leave three things behind: his country, his people, and his father’s household. Furthermore, Abraham did not know where God would lead him. Even though his future looked unclear, Abraham trusted God. As you journal below, consider: What would you find the most difficult to leave behind? Does fear of leaving make it difficult for you to hear God’s calling? Why?
Pause to Pray: Pray for guidance to step out of your comfort zone and to live in faith.
Day 2 Read Genesis 12:4–5. Moving is not an easy task today and it certainly was not easy for Abraham. Consider the massive undertaking of moving all his possessions to an unknown place. When God calls you to accomplish a task, He does not always lead you down the easy path. As you journal below, consider: If God asked you to move your family, what details would you need to consider? What obstacles would you face in relocating?
Pause to Pray: Pray for perseverance today to carry out God’s call on your life, even when facing obstacles and details that are difficult to overcome.
Day 3 Read Genesis 12:2–3. The blessings that God gave Abraham were no ordinary blessings. The blessings that God promised included that Abraham would become a great nation and would receive God’s blessings and protection. God gave each promise in
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the future tense. As you journal below, consider: How do you trust God with your future? What fears do you have about your future?
Pause to Pray: Begin your prayer by saying, “God . . . these are some fears I have about my future.” As you list your fears, pray that God will give you the ability to trust your future to Him.
Day 4 Read Genesis 13:1–18. When conflict erupted between Abraham and Lot, Abraham took the initiative to find a solution. He sought to keep peace within his family and continued to love Lot despite Lot’s sinful choices. As you journal below, consider: How do you handle conflicts? Do you look for peaceful solutions and value the relationship more than the issue? Why?
Pause to Pray: Pray today for guidance and direction on how you can resolve any personal conflicts you may have.
Day 5 Read Hebrews 11:9–10. Abraham left the city behind to live in tents, which were not permanent dwellings. However, the writer of Hebrews stressed that Abraham was able to survive these dwellings because he kept his focus on God as the “architect and builder” of his life. As you journal below, consider: How will God’s promises be fulfilled in eternity? What is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises?
Pause to Pray: Praise God for His promises of a future dwelling place where you will live in the presence of the one, true God.
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Go Anyway Biblical Passage: Genesis 12:1–5; 13:1–18; Hebrews 11:8–10 Memory Verse: “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10 Table Talk Question: Why would God call you to a place you did not want to go?
GO ANYWAY 1. Walking in faith means _______________ your _______________ _______________ (Gen. 12:1, 4–5; Heb. 11:8).
2. Walking in faith means _______________ in _______________ _______________ (Gen. 12:2–3; 13:1–18; Heb. 11:9–10).
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER • What words would you use to describe Abraham’s faith? Are these words important indicators of faith? Why? • What risks would you associate with moving your entire life to an unknown place? • Was Abraham comfortable with following God’s instructions? Why? • Is faith always comfortable? When is faith uncomfortable?
for free thought “Circumstances should never alter principles.” —Oscar Wilde (An Ideal Husband, 1895)
Answers: 1. leaving, comfort zone; 2. trusting, future blessings. 11