Lesson Outline

Series: Abraham; The journey of faith

Title: God says Go!

Lesson 0607-1 (Miller)

 

KEY VERSE: Genesis 12:1

Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.”

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Abraham is known as the father of faith. We look to him as a great spiritual leader and by the end of his life he was. But we sometimes forget that his spiritual life had a beginning. The beginning was a word from the LORD. The LORD gave Abraham a word and expected Abraham to listen. The LORD told Abraham to leave his home and go to a new land. Abraham could have disobeyed and stayed. That was within the realm of Abraham’s choices. He could have said, “I am too busy.” Or “I have a nice house here and a nice job I couldn’t possibly leave.” However, we know that Abraham chose to obey. Abraham was a real human being that had to walk a journey of faith just as we do today. What we will find out about Abraham is that he learned to be obedient to God one step at a time.

 

OUTLINE:

  1. God looks for people that will listen.
    1. According to Proverbs 8:1 wisdom cries out in the streets looking for those that want life.
    2. 2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to how Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 
    3. Who was actually called by God? Abraham or his father?

                                                              i.      Genesis 11:31 states, “Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot and his daughter-in-law Sarai and they went out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; But they stopped halfway in Haran.

                                                             ii.      It appears that Terah (Abraham’s father) may have been looking for the Promised Land but did not finish the journey. Terah stopped halfway. He did not finish the journey.  

                                                          iii.      Many people start on the journey of life but according to Paul we cannot just start a the race we must also finish the race. Galatians 5:7 says, “you were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?

                                                          iv.      The journey of Abraham was a lifetime journey that did not just end with one act of obedience. The call to go was the start of the journey.

                                                             v.      Abraham’s father worshipped other Gods but God recognized something in Abraham, therefore God called out to him.

                                                           vi.      Has God called out to you? Has God asked you to do something? Are you listening? Are you obeying? Can you still obey today?

 

  1. When God finds someone listening He puts a demand on them.  
    1. Get Out of your country, from your family and your father’s house.
    2. The call of Abraham is the same for all followers of God.

                                                               i.      Jesus said to most all the disciples, “come follow me” (Matthew 4:19)

                                                             ii.      God said to the rich young ruler, “Go sell everything you have, give it to the poor and come follow me.” (Matt 19:21)

    1. To paraphrase: “Get out of your family’s house and come follow me.”

                                                               i.      We are all called to leave our life behind in order to follow Jesus.

1.      Some have to leave families

2.      Some have to leave cities

3.      Some have to leave jobs

4.      Some have to leave dreams

5.      Have you had to leave something for God?

                                                             ii.      “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters of father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matt 19:29)

1.      Jesus gave us a promise that he did not give Abraham. He has promised a bigger family. A family of Moms, Dad, Brothers, and Sisters. He has called us out of an individualistic and selfish life into a life of community and love.

2.      The father of faith was called just as we are still being called. The process by which men are moved forward has not changed. According to the modern proverb, “Wise men still seek Him!”

 

  1. With every call of God is His commitment to be with us.
    1. “Go to the land that I will show you”

                                                               i.      God’s promise is that he will lead. He will show us.

                                                             ii.      We just need to obey one step at a time.

    1. “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Hebrews 13:5
    2. God has a purpose for each of us. God’s purpose for Abraham was not completely revealed to him in this initial promise of Genesis 12:1. However God did require obedience. Abraham’s journey started with obedience.

 

DISCUSSION KEYWORDS:

           

Obedience

Listening

            Promise

            Follow

           

OPTIONAL DISCUSSION TOPICS: