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EDAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
ABRAHAM
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Welcome to week three of The Whiteboard Bible. Between creation and Abraham are the universal stories of the Bible, the big picture pieces. This is where we learn about Noah and the flood, Cain and Abel, and more. This second point of our timeline for the Bible will take us through the remainder of Genesis.
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DAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
OUTLINE OF THE LESSONUse the outline below to follow along during the video.
I. Genesis (Beginnings) A. Universal Themes 1. Cain and Abel 2. Noah and the Ark 3. The Tower of Babel
B. CovenantGenesis 12:1-3 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
C. The Power of Blessing Genesis 27:33-35
33 Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him––and indeed he will be blessed!” 34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me––me too, my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
D. Joseph In Egypt Genesis 45:3-5 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But
his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
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EDAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
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EDAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
DISCUSSIONUsing the questions that follow, we will review and expand on the teaching we just experienced.
1 Why do you think God’s primary focus of the Bible is His people?
READ ALOUD When we get to Genesis 12, there is a shift in the story. God makes a covenant with a man named Abram. This is a pivotal point on our timeline. From Abram to the book of Revelation, God is preparing a people for Himself. The people of God are at the center of all God’s activity.
2 Read Galatians 3:14. God extended the promise of Abraham to all people. How does this change your idea of being a part of God’s family?
3 If God required obedience from Abraham, do you think He is interested in a response from us? Reflect on a time when God asked you to be obedient.
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EDAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
APPLICATIONNow it’s time to make some personal applications of all we’ve been thinking about in the last few minutes.
READ ALOUDGod gave a blessing to Abraham, who passed it on to his son Isaac. Isaac then had two sons, Jacob and Esau. There was tension between these brothers. In fact, we read in the Bible that God said he loved Jacob and hated Esau. Esau treated the things of God casually. For instance, when he was hungry he traded his birthright for a meal. This serves as a warning for us to not treat the things of God casually.
4 Read Genesis 27:5-40. Jacob, Esau, Rebekah, and Isaac were caught up in a struggle about inheritance. The point of debate was not land or livestock, it was “the blessing,” a prayer. What did Jacob and Rebekah do to ensure Jacob would receive the blessing? How did Esau respond to their behavior?
5 Family was divided over a blessing. Jacob left with the blessing. Esau remained with the land and the livestock. The blessing seems as real as a United States Postal Service delivery. What significance do you attach to prayers of blessing or cursing? If we ignore prayer, what could we be forfeiting?
6 Name the differences in attitude toward God’s blessing.
7 Pastor Allen reminded us that the blessing of God is tangible. What are some tangible things in life we intentionally strive to obtain? Discuss what it would look like to strive for God’s blessing.
8 Read Genesis 45:3-5. Through rejection from his family, slavery in a foreign country, and wrongful imprisonment, God’s purpose for Joseph was intact. Rejection, hatred, false accusations, betrayal, deprivation, and loneliness could not diminish God’s purpose for Joseph. Describe a time when you’ve been tempted to believe God’s purposes were slipping away from you?
9 Let’s bundle the rejection, anger, bitterness, and our failures and ask for God’s restoration so that His purpose can emerge. Take a moment to make a list of things you need to release into God’s care.
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EDAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
PRAYERClose the session in prayer. Use the notes page to collect theverses that stood out to you today and to journal your dailyprayer requests.
Heavenly Father, I rejoice that you have pronounced a blessing over my life. Thank you for creating me for a special purpose. Today I choose God’s way and to turn away from sin,
unforgiveness, or anything that would hinder your best for me. Almighty God, I ask you to restore, renew, deliver, heal—whatever is required to protect your purpose for my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer requests:
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EDAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
GOING DEEPERThis section is designed for further study if you choose tospend more time today.
Read Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1-6. Let’s take a look at the call of Abraham, a man who had great faith.
• Before God’s blessing would come to Abram, what did God ask him to do?
• What seven things did God say He would do for Abram?
• Who traveled with Abram?
• What was Abram’s complaint to God?
• What counsel did God give to Abram?
• What promise did God make?
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EDAY 3, ABRAHAMDAY 3, ABRAHAM
FURTHER REFLECTIONSThese are key Bible verses and reflection questions that willhelp you think about and apply the insights from today’ssession.
Genesis 12:1-3When God Calls
1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Reflection Question: What are the blessings given to Abraham for obeying the Word of God?
Genesis 45:3-5How God Works
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
Reflection Question: What circumstances in your life have prepared you for where you are today?
Galatians 3:14Priceless Inheritance
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Reflection Question: How would you describe your own experience of God’s promise to you?
Romans 8:28God’s Hand in All Things
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Reflection Question: In what ways can you see this amazing truth from the New Testament illustrated in the life of Joseph?
Genesis 22:6-8God’s Faithfulness
6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
Reflection Question: Who have you told recently about the evidences of God’s faithfulness in your life? What examples did you use?
DAILYMEMORYVERSE And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
