PENTECOST
METHODIST CHURCH
LIVE-IT-OUT
GUIDE
FAITHFUL ONES: SESSION 3 –
ABRAHAM
(70mins – 90mins)
Sermon Date: 22nd October 2017
Text/s: Genesis 12:1-5, Hebrews
11:8-10
Speaker: Mr Raymond Low
(The sermon recording and slides can be found on the PMC website and MyPMC App.)
Sermon Recap & Discussion
(20mins)
A)
Key Lessons
B)
Key Application Questions
1) “How precious did that grace
appear; The hour I first believed.”
(Amazing Grace,
by John Newton).
Recall the time when the Lord first called you to
leave the life you were used to and to journey with Him. What was it like? How
did you feel? Share with your group.
2) During his faith journey, Abraham
encountered many things that were uncertain and difficult to understand. For
example, when God called him out of his father’s house, God did not reveal
where Abraham would go, but instructed him to “Go… to the land I will show you”
(Gen 12:1). At one point, God even instructed Abraham to sacrifice his own son,
Isaac – whom God Himself had promised, to make Abraham into a great nation (Gen
22:1-2). Nevertheless, Abraham persevered in obeying God, putting his trust in
God’s good promises.
In your own faith journey, do you encounter situations
that seem uncertain or are difficult to understand? How can God’s promises help
you to persevere like Abraham?
Further Observations on the
Text (20mins)
Read Genesis 12:1-9
1) What did God specifically tell
Abraham to do?
2) Why would this be a step of
faith for Abraham?
3) In Genesis 12:4-5, we are told
that Abraham took along Lot, his brother’s son. This leads some interpreters to
suggest that Abraham did not fully obey God. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Read Hebrews
11:8-16.
4) Why is Abraham described as
seeking a “city” (verse 10)?
Further Application (30mins)
1) Although there were momentary
lapses in Abraham’s faith (e.g. bringing along Lot?,
presenting Sarah as his sister, laying with Hagar the servant), he continued to
journey with God and responded with faith. Ultimately, Abraham is commended as
the “father of all who believe” (Rom 4:11).
a) In your own faith journey, how
do you tend to respond when you encounter failure?
b) How does Abraham’s example
encourage you to persevere in faith?
2) How do you balance making this
life your home but realizing it is not your permanent home?
Going Deeper (Optional –
20mins)
Read Genesis 15:1-6. God affirms the promises made
to Abraham earlier.
1) What do Abraham’s questions
and responses in this section reveal about what was going on in his mind and
heart?
2) Is there a situation or
relationship in your life that seems “as good as dead” (Heb
11:12)? How are you responding to the long wait for God to intervene? Consider
what steps you can take to increase your faith in this difficult time of
waiting.