Lesson Outline
Series: Abraham; journey of
faith
Title: Discovery
Lesson 0607-6 (Miller)
KEY VERSE: Genesis
13:14-18
And
the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had
separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you
are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see
I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your
descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of
the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I
give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the
terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in
Hebron, and built an altar there to the
LORD.
OUTLINE:
INTRODUCTION: Abram has been
living in the Promised Land for a while. He has made at least a few mistakes
that we know about. He went to
Egypt as a
solution to a famine and almost lost his wife, his life and his integrity. Also,
as we found out last lesson, Abram was instructed to leave ALL of his family at
Haran, however he brought his nephew
Lot. Lot now has grown wealthy and
there has been division between the family members. Abram has been through a few
of life’s lessons. But as of today lesson, Abram finds rest. God revisits Abram
once he and Lot separate and God reiterates the original
promise. Abram enters into the discovery stage.
- God’s
promises to us grow in value over time.
- This
is similar to what businessmen call this the “time value of money”
- $100,000
given to us today is worth more than $100,000 given to us in five years.
Because at 5% interest our $100,000 will grow to $127,628 in five years.
- God’s
promises grow in value because we begin to:
i.
Understand them
ii.
Recognize their importance
iii.
See how we have moved slowly in that direction
iv.
Increased in our relationship and trust of God
v.
Made some mistakes and have come close to losing everything.
- God
is the owner of the promise.
- We
do not own the promise.
- We
cannot control the promise
- We
cannot manipulate the promise
- God
reminds Abram that “I have
given this land to you”
i.
There is no we in that promise just “He”.
- The
promise is still real even if it has not yet come to pass
- God
instructs Abram to walk through the land.
i.
Abram must think about the promise
ii.
Abram must believe the promise
1.
Belief is a interesting verb. “We must believe that God exists and
is the rewarder of those that actively pursue him.”
2.
Belief must be acted upon.
3.
The devil knows God is real. According the devil believes in God.
However, that believe will not save the devil.
4.
Belief is more than mental.
iii.
Abram must walk out the promise
1.
How do we walk out our promise?
iv.
Abram must build an altar and worship.
3. Abram moves to Mamre (the grazing lands)
of Hebron (association or
league)
- Hebron
eventually becomes a city of
Refuge (josh
20:7)
- Hebron
was given to Caleb (Josh.
14:9-13)
- Hebron
becomes the capitol for David for 7 years
- Abram
builds an altar here and makes this his home.
Optional Questions.
What promises have you received
from God in your life that have already come true?
i.e. healings, job changes,
ministry roles, etc.
What promises have you received
from God that have yet to come to pass?
Are you actively believing those promises?
Are you
walking out the promise?
Are you
acting as if the promises are already there?