Day 4

Symbol: Ram
Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Our story today finds Abraham in a place far from when he first started on his journey, trusting God blindly for the three promises he was given.  One of the promises had been fulfilled when God gave Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac.  But once more, God speaks to Abraham and asks him once more to "go to the place I will show you".  The difference?  God asks Abraham to sacrifice the most precious thing to him; the object of his hopes and dreams, of his very future.

God didn't simply say, "Take your son and go."  Our God does not waste words, so one wonders why He said, "Take your son, your ONLY son, whom you LOVE, and go . . . " (22:2)    As if to make the burden heavier upon this ordinary man who was charged with so great a commission. But he rose up and took this burden without question.  Hebrews 11 tells us that Abraham believed God would be faithful to fulfill His promise - the promise that He would give him descendents that number as the stars, even if it meant Isaac would die and God would bring him back to life.

It is said that, "God called and Abraham went, and God promised and Abraham believed, and
God asked and Abraham gave."

Have you put everything, even that which is most precious to you, on the altar?  All that God gives must be kept with and open hand, remembering He who gives can also take away, and we must still choose to say, "Blessed by name of the Lord."

Discussion Questions

1. Compare 1 John 4:9 with Hebrews 11:17. 
2. Compare Genesis 22:2a with 2 Chronicles 3:1.  Note that "Moriah" means "chosen by Jehovah".  This region was chosen by God for much more than Abraham could have known.  Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified, was the highest point in the region of Moriah, and many scholars believe this was the likely place of the Abraham's sacrifice.  
3. Compare Genesis 22:8, Isaiah 53:10 and 1 Peter 1:18,19.  How did God provide?
4. Read Genesis 22:18.  Note that the verse says "seed" (singular).  Read Galatians 3:16.  Who does this refer to?

Making the Symbol

Use white construction paper (or felt) to cut out the shape of a ram's head.  Use a black permanent marker to make the eyes, horns, nose and mouth.

Day 3

Symbol: Field of Stars

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-7, 15:1-6

"Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you'  . . . So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him." Genesis 12:1,4

When God blessed Abraham all He asked in return was obedience.  Abraham didn't know where he was going, when he was going to get there, when the promises would be fulfilled, but when God said ?go,' he walked forward into the unknown, completely trusting in God's faithfulness.  This is the man that God chose to be the father of a multitude!  It is interesting that this man of faith, a few short verses later, in cowardice asked his wife to lie in order to protect his own life!  Abraham was an ordinary man like you and me - he had weaknesses, sinned and even lost his faith in critical times.  But God saw beyond these weaknesses and into his heart - heart that belonged to God.  Genesis 15:6 says that Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. God is not looking for perfect people - He is looking for those who will trust and obey Him. 

Discussion Questions

1. What are the three parts to God's promise to Abraham?  (See 12:2, 12:7, 15:4)
2. Read Matthew 1:1 and Galatians 3:7-8.  How has the promise seen in Genesis 12:2 been fulfilled?
3. Why do you think God chose Abraham to make this covenant with?  Hebrews 11:8-11

Making the Symbol

Cut an oval shape from a piece of black construction paper or felt.  Use white star stickers or cut out star shapes from white construction paper or felt and glue onto the oval.