Delta Church of Christ Family Night Bible Study
Bible Study ~ “Let's Goooooo! The Call of Abram" ~ Genesis 12:1-20
We are in series called "Let's Goooooo!" in which we examine four different Biblical accounts of God calling specific people for His purpose. Through the accounts of Abram, Esther, the Woman at the Well, and the Disciples, we are challenged to follow the call of God into every part of our lives. Our hope is that this study will lead us into a deeper awareness of who God is and what He might be calling us to do!
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
500 Providence St, Delta, OH 43515, USA
Wednesday 6:00 PM
Genesis chapter 12 marks a dividing line in how God deals with mankind. It is a turning point in the human history of redemption. God chose Abram and Israel from which would be born the Redeemer of the world. This is where GRACE begins.
Opening Questions
Have you ever met someone who you think has incredible faith? Who? What can you learn about faith from them?
What is a significant promise that you have made or that someone has made to you?
When you were growing up, what was the biggest lie you got caught telling?
Have you ever met someone who you think has incredible faith? Who? What can you learn about faith from them?
What is a significant promise that you have made or that someone has made to you?
When you were growing up, what was the biggest lie you got caught telling?
Unpack the Text
What does it mean to follow God? Look at the lives of the people of God from the Old Testament! Who initiates the call? God! Over and over we see “the word of the Lord” giving direction.
Do you believe every person has a purpose for their life? Do you know yours?
God has a purpose for every life, and He places within each heart a vision or a sense of that purpose, that design He has for them. But it is not enough just to know the will of God, we must also walk in the way of God: God's will, God's way.
Today... we will look at Abram. But let’s start with his name. What is the name we know him as?
What does it mean to follow God? Look at the lives of the people of God from the Old Testament! Who initiates the call? God! Over and over we see “the word of the Lord” giving direction.
Do you believe every person has a purpose for their life? Do you know yours?
God has a purpose for every life, and He places within each heart a vision or a sense of that purpose, that design He has for them. But it is not enough just to know the will of God, we must also walk in the way of God: God's will, God's way.
Today... we will look at Abram. But let’s start with his name. What is the name we know him as?
Why did God change his name? Who else had a name change due to God?
Sarai/Sarah (Genesis 17:15)
Jacob/Israel (Genesis 32:28)
Hoshea/Joshua (Numbers 13:16)
Solomon/Jedediah (2 Samuel 12:24,25)
Simon/Peter (John 1:42)
What about Paul to Saul? Actually, Jesus did not change his name. His Hebrew name was Saul and his Roman name was Paul. Because he became a disciple of Jesus Christ, he was terribly persecuted, so he used his Roman name to claim his Roman citizenship and the rights that went with being a Roman citizen.
When God made a covenant, he changed a name. This was a common practice. For instance, who are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah? What about Belteshazzar?
Those are the Hebrew names that became the Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. And Belteshazzar? That’s Daniel!
Nebuchadnezzar changed their names from Hebrew as a part of his plan to turn them away from God and to reflect ownership of them by Babylon.
Now... onto our passage:
Sarai/Sarah (Genesis 17:15)
Jacob/Israel (Genesis 32:28)
Hoshea/Joshua (Numbers 13:16)
Solomon/Jedediah (2 Samuel 12:24,25)
Simon/Peter (John 1:42)
What about Paul to Saul? Actually, Jesus did not change his name. His Hebrew name was Saul and his Roman name was Paul. Because he became a disciple of Jesus Christ, he was terribly persecuted, so he used his Roman name to claim his Roman citizenship and the rights that went with being a Roman citizen.
When God made a covenant, he changed a name. This was a common practice. For instance, who are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah? What about Belteshazzar?
Those are the Hebrew names that became the Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. And Belteshazzar? That’s Daniel!
Nebuchadnezzar changed their names from Hebrew as a part of his plan to turn them away from God and to reflect ownership of them by Babylon.
Now... onto our passage:
What does it mean to answer God's call? What does it mean to follow God in faith?
Abram was 75 years old. How old are you? Do you think God can call you to do something at your age? Name some things God might call you to do no matter your age!
Based on our passage, what did God call Abram to do? Do you think that would be hard? What is something hard that God might call you to do?
Based on our passage, what did God promise he would do if Abram followed God in faith?
Abram was 75 years old. How old are you? Do you think God can call you to do something at your age? Name some things God might call you to do no matter your age!
Based on our passage, what did God call Abram to do? Do you think that would be hard? What is something hard that God might call you to do?
Based on our passage, what did God promise he would do if Abram followed God in faith?
How did Abram respond to God's call (v4)?
By his actions we know he said, "Let's goooooo!" do you think you would have enough faith to do what God said?
They traveled about 500 miles so at a minimum, it would have taken about a month to make the journey on foot. Would you walk 500 miles with sandals and no destination?
By his actions we know he said, "Let's goooooo!" do you think you would have enough faith to do what God said?
They traveled about 500 miles so at a minimum, it would have taken about a month to make the journey on foot. Would you walk 500 miles with sandals and no destination?
What did Abram do when they arrived? Why is this important?
What was important about this place?
When God does something great in your life, what do you think you should do? Build an altar? Or something else?
What was important about this place?
When God does something great in your life, what do you think you should do? Build an altar? Or something else?
What did Abram do in Bethel? (12:8-9)
Abram “called upon the name of the Lord.” This was a form of worship. What does that tell us that we should do when God sustains us?
Abram “called upon the name of the Lord.” This was a form of worship. What does that tell us that we should do when God sustains us?
How do we know that Abram did not completely trust God?
What did Abram tell Sarai to do when they went to Egypt? (12:10-13)
Why did Abram tell Sarai to lie? (12:10-13)
What happens here is described as a “half-truth.” What is “half-truthy” about it?
The New American Oxford Dictionary:
A half-truth is a statement that conveys only part of the truth, especially one used deliberately in order to deceive someone.
Is it a lie to tell only “part of the story?”
Abram was worried that the Egyptians would kill him and let her live. So, Abram used Sarai as political leverage. How does this demonstrate fear over faith?
Does it seem strange to you that one of the greats in our faith history would behave this way? What does this say about Abram and so many others?
So... what happened?
What did Abram tell Sarai to do when they went to Egypt? (12:10-13)
Why did Abram tell Sarai to lie? (12:10-13)
What happens here is described as a “half-truth.” What is “half-truthy” about it?
The New American Oxford Dictionary:
A half-truth is a statement that conveys only part of the truth, especially one used deliberately in order to deceive someone.
Is it a lie to tell only “part of the story?”
Abram was worried that the Egyptians would kill him and let her live. So, Abram used Sarai as political leverage. How does this demonstrate fear over faith?
Does it seem strange to you that one of the greats in our faith history would behave this way? What does this say about Abram and so many others?
So... what happened?
What happened to Sarai when she arrived in Egypt? (12:14-15)
Is the reaction what Abram expected?
Does this mean that Abram was justified in worrying what might happen?
Is the reaction what Abram expected?
Does this mean that Abram was justified in worrying what might happen?
How did the Egyptians treat Abram? (12:16)
How might this have affected Abram’s feelings about his lie?
It didn’t last long...
How might this have affected Abram’s feelings about his lie?
It didn’t last long...
What did the Lord do to Pharaoh and his household? (12:17)
Why did Pharaoh and his household get sick? (12:17)
Why didn’t God do this to Abram? Seems like he’s the one who lied!
Maybe a better question is this: how does it feel when your actions negatively affect someone else?
Why did Pharaoh and his household get sick? (12:17)
Why didn’t God do this to Abram? Seems like he’s the one who lied!
Maybe a better question is this: how does it feel when your actions negatively affect someone else?
What did Pharaoh do when he discovered that Sarai was Abram’s wife? (12:18-20)
What is the problem with how Pharaoh responded in light of human history?
So, did Abram have anything to worry about?
How is this a form of God’s grace even when Abram sinned?
“The sending away was kind. Pharaoh was so far from any design to kill Abram, as he feared, that he took particular care of him. We often perplex ourselves with fears which are altogether groundless. Many a time we fear where no fear is.” ~ Matthew Henry
What does that statement say to you?
What is the problem with how Pharaoh responded in light of human history?
So, did Abram have anything to worry about?
How is this a form of God’s grace even when Abram sinned?
“The sending away was kind. Pharaoh was so far from any design to kill Abram, as he feared, that he took particular care of him. We often perplex ourselves with fears which are altogether groundless. Many a time we fear where no fear is.” ~ Matthew Henry
What does that statement say to you?
Your Story
So... what does this teach me?
Why might it have been hard for Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household?
When has God helped you out of a bad situation for which you were responsible?
In what setting do you need to make a greater effort to be honest?
So... what does this teach me?
Why might it have been hard for Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household?
When has God helped you out of a bad situation for which you were responsible?
In what setting do you need to make a greater effort to be honest?
Apply it to Your Life
What can you do to be more honest at home? At work? With your neighbors?
How can you mark or memorialize one of your significant experiences with God?
What can you do to be more honest at home? At work? With your neighbors?
How can you mark or memorialize one of your significant experiences with God?
Up Next:
Oct 16 - Session 2: The Call of Esther ~ Esther 3:5-11; 4:8-17
Oct 23 - Session 3: The Call of the Woman at the Well ~ John 4:6-42
Nov 06 - Session 4: The Call of the Disciples ~ Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13
Session 2: The Call of Esther ~ Esther 3:5-11; 4:8-17
Big Idea: God's call often requires courage.
Question for Discussion: What situations are you facing where you feel like you need more courage?
Session 3: The Call of the Woman at the Well ~ John 4:6-42
Big Idea: God's call often requires self-reflection.
Question for Discussion: Why do you think it's such a big deal that Jesus knows everything about us and still loves each one of us? If you knew everything about everyone, how difficult do you think it would be for you to still love everyone?
Session 4: The Call of the Disciples ~ Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13
Big Idea: What God is calling you TO is bigger than what He's calling you FROM.
Question for Discussion: What are some excuses someone your age might use as a reason for not doing something difficult, important, or incredible?
Oct 16 - Session 2: The Call of Esther ~ Esther 3:5-11; 4:8-17
Oct 23 - Session 3: The Call of the Woman at the Well ~ John 4:6-42
Nov 06 - Session 4: The Call of the Disciples ~ Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13
Session 2: The Call of Esther ~ Esther 3:5-11; 4:8-17
Big Idea: God's call often requires courage.
Question for Discussion: What situations are you facing where you feel like you need more courage?
Session 3: The Call of the Woman at the Well ~ John 4:6-42
Big Idea: God's call often requires self-reflection.
Question for Discussion: Why do you think it's such a big deal that Jesus knows everything about us and still loves each one of us? If you knew everything about everyone, how difficult do you think it would be for you to still love everyone?
Session 4: The Call of the Disciples ~ Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13
Big Idea: What God is calling you TO is bigger than what He's calling you FROM.
Question for Discussion: What are some excuses someone your age might use as a reason for not doing something difficult, important, or incredible?
For further study...
The Essential Inductive Questions:
1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?
The Essential Inductive Questions:
1. What does this passage say?
2. What does this passage mean?
3. What is God telling me?
4. How am I encouraged and strengthened?
5. Is there sin in my life for which confession and repentance is needed?
6. How can I be changed, so I can learn and grow?
7. What is in the way of these precepts affecting me? What is in the way of my listening to God?
8. How does this apply to me? What will I do about it?
9. What can I model and teach?
10. What does God want me to share with someone?