NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passage: Genesis 17:1-10, 15-19
Discussion Questions:
- What does God making covenants with His people reveal about Him?
- How does God’s covenant with Abraham impact followers of Jesus?
- In what ways can we demonstrate our faith in Christ each day?
Food for thought:
Wedding ceremonies typically include the exchanging of vows. A couple declares their commitment to each other by saying, “I do.” God established marriage as a covenant. It is a formal commitment before God.
God’s commitment to His people is also in the form of a covenant. Because God is eternal and faithful, His covenant with believers is everlasting. This truth is highlighted in God’s covenant with Abraham.
When Abram was 99, God initiated a covenant with him and his descendants. God directed him to live blamelessly in God’s presence. When God promised again to multiply his descendants, Abram fell on his face. God also changed Abram’s name to Abraham because he would be a father to many nations, including kings. This permanent covenant included Abraham’s descendants residing in Canaan. God called for Abraham and his descendants to keep this covenant.
God continued to instruct Abram on what was to come. He changed Sarai’s name to Sarah because she would bear a son from which nations and kings would come. Abraham laughed at the idea, questioning God since he and Sarah were beyond child-bearing ages.
In Genesis 17:18, Abraham offered Ishmael as a fitting heir. Still, God rejected the offer. He proclaimed again that Sarah would give birth to a son who was to be named Isaac and through whom the covenant would pass to Abraham’s descendants.
In Genesis 17, we read about how God graciously chose to make a covenant with His people. God followed this with faithful action, demonstrating He is a God true to His word. How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your own life? What gets in the way of you more fully trusting God? Consider God’s past graciousness in His dealings with you. Put your own faith into action as you seek to follow Him daily. Finally, trust God to accomplish what only He can accomplish.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.
