Bible Reading
Hebrews 11:8-16 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”
[28:18]Genesis 12:1-4 “Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.”
[36:00]Genesis 18:9-15 “They said to him, 'Where is Sarah your wife?' And he said, 'She is in the tent.' The Lord said, 'I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.' And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, 'After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?' The Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh and say, "Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?" Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.' But Sarah denied it, saying, 'I did not laugh,' for she was afraid. He said, 'No, but you did laugh.”
[42:05]Observation questions
- In Genesis 12:1–4 and Hebrews 11:8, what did Abraham have to leave behind, and what remained unknown when he obeyed God’s call? [36:00]
- In Hebrews 11:9–10, what contrast is there between Abraham’s living arrangements and the home he expected God to provide? [37:50]
- How does Sarah’s response in Genesis 18:9–15 compare with the description of her faith in Hebrews 11:11? What does Hebrews identify as the reason she trusted God? [42:05]
- In Hebrews 11:13–16, what details show that these pilgrims’ hopes reached beyond both the land they left and the land where they lived? [49:07]
Interpretation questions
- God’s merciful call came before Abraham’s obedience. How does that order help explain the difference between obeying to earn God’s acceptance and obeying because of his grace? [35:18]
- Why could Abraham’s willingness to live in tents be an expression of faith rather than evidence that God had failed him? How might this help a believer understand an unsettled life? [39:23]
- Abraham and Sarah could not bring about God’s promise by their own strength. What distinguishes their faith from simply feeling confident that a desired outcome will happen? [45:26]
- Hebrews 11:15–16 connects their refusal to return with their desire for a better country. Why is a greater hope needed to loosen the hold of old attachments, rather than determination alone? [51:59]
Application questions
- Remembering that God’s mercy comes before obedience, where do you find yourself trying to earn his acceptance? How might his grace change the way you approach one particular responsibility this week? [35:42]
- Is there an area where you know what obedience to God involves but are waiting to see how everything will turn out? What might a next faithful step look like without having all the answers? [36:47]
- Where are you most tempted to seek lasting security—in your home, savings, career, relationships, or something else? How could confidence in the home God prepares help you hold that good thing more loosely? [39:23]
- Think of a situation in which you feel weak or uncertain. What has God actually promised that you can rely on, and how is that different from the outcome you would prefer? [46:08]
- What old habit or desire still pulls you away from Christ? What joy or lasting treasure in belonging to him could take its place, and what might help you keep that greater hope in view this week? [52:23]
- When you remember your failures, do you tend to hide from God or turn toward him? How does God’s willingness to identify himself with imperfect believers encourage you to return to Christ, and how could this group support you? [54:28]
