God's Faithfulness Amidst Our Failures: A Journey Through Genesis
Summary
This morning, we gathered as a church family—kids and adults together—to step back and see the big picture of God’s story in Scripture. Just as a corn maze can feel confusing until you see it from above, the Bible can seem overwhelming until we understand its structure and storyline. We learned a simple way to remember the sections of the Bible: 5, 12, 5, 5, 12 for the Old Testament, and 4, 1, 21, 1 for the New Testament. These numbers represent the Pentateuch, historical books, poetry, major and minor prophets, the Gospels, Acts, the letters, and Revelation. The story of Scripture can be summed up in four words: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. God’s story begins in a garden and ends in a garden, showing His intent to restore what was broken.
We then zoomed in on the book of Genesis, especially chapter 20, and looked at three scenes: “Liar Liar Pants on Fire,” “Roots,” and “Promises Promises.” In the first scene, Abraham, despite being chosen by God and given great promises, lies about his wife Sarah out of fear. This led us to consider why we sometimes lie or hide the truth. Like Abraham, we often act out of fear—fear of people, fear of consequences, or a lack of trust in God’s care for us. The root of our dishonesty is often a misplaced fear and a lack of faith.
In the second scene, we saw how the truth eventually comes out. God intervenes, revealing Abraham’s lie to King Abimelech, who then confronts Abraham. This reminds us that God sees all and that the truth has a way of surfacing, no matter how hard we try to cover it up. The real issue isn’t just the lie itself, but the heart behind it—our fears and our failure to trust God.
Finally, in “Promises Promises,” we witnessed God’s faithfulness despite Abraham’s failure. Abimelech, a foreign king, acts with more integrity than Abraham, yet God still keeps His promise to Abraham. This is a powerful reminder that God’s faithfulness does not depend on our perfection. He is trustworthy, a truth-teller who keeps His word even when we fall short. Jesus, the ultimate truth-teller, lived the life we could not and offers us forgiveness and new life. We ended by celebrating communion, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice and the hope we have in Him.
Key Takeaways
- The Bible’s structure and storyline help us see God’s big plan. Understanding the flow of Scripture—creation, fall, redemption, and restoration—gives us confidence that God is working out His purposes from beginning to end, even when individual stories or our own lives feel confusing or lost in the maze. [27:40]
- The root of dishonesty is often fear and a lack of trust in God. Like Abraham, we may lie or hide the truth because we fear people or consequences more than we trust God’s ability to care for us. True transformation comes not just from changing our behavior, but from letting God address the fears and unbelief in our hearts. [48:25]
- God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our faithfulness. Even when Abraham failed, God kept His promises. This shows us that God’s character is steadfast and trustworthy, and we can rest in His commitment to fulfill His word, regardless of our shortcomings. [50:42]
- Jesus is the perfect truth-teller who never failed. He lived the life of perfect trust and obedience that we could not, and through His death and resurrection, He offers us forgiveness and new life. Our hope is not in our ability to always tell the truth, but in Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. [52:02]
- Communion is a celebration of God’s redeeming work and a reminder of our place in His story. As we remember Jesus’ sacrifice, we are invited to reflect on His faithfulness, confess our need, and rejoice in the hope that He will one day restore all things. This practice roots us in gratitude and anticipation for what God has done and will do. [54:15]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Opening Prayer and Honduras Team
[03:00] - July 4th Weekend and Kids in Service
[05:30] - Overview of Today’s Plan
[07:45] - The Bible as a Corn Maze
[10:20] - Learning the Bible’s Structure (5,12,5,5,12; 4,1,21,1)
[15:00] - Old Testament Sections Explained
[20:00] - New Testament Sections and the Storyline
[23:30] - Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration
[27:40] - Genesis Overview and Abraham’s Story
[30:52] - Scene 1: Liar Liar Pants on Fire
[36:00] - Scene 2: Roots—The Heart Behind Lying
[48:25] - Scene 3: Promises Promises—God’s Faithfulness
[52:02] - Jesus, the Ultimate Truth-Teller
[54:15] - Communion and Closing Prayer
[57:00] - Communion: The Cup and Final Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
Genesis 20:1-18 (ESV)
> 1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.” 8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father's house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, He is my brother.’” 14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.
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### Observation Questions
1. What did Abraham say about Sarah when they entered Gerar, and why did he do it? (Genesis 20:2, 11; [30:52])
2. How did God intervene in the situation between Abimelech and Abraham? (Genesis 20:3-7; [30:52])
3. What was Abimelech’s response after learning the truth about Sarah? (Genesis 20:8-10; [30:52])
4. How did God show His faithfulness to Abraham, even after Abraham’s failure? (Genesis 20:14-18; [50:42])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. According to Abraham’s own words, what was the root reason for his dishonesty? How does fear play a role in our own decisions to hide the truth? (Genesis 20:11; [30:52])
2. Why do you think God still chose to protect and bless Abraham, even though Abraham lied? What does this reveal about God’s character? ([50:42])
3. Abimelech, a foreign king, acted with more integrity than Abraham in this story. What might this teach us about assumptions we make regarding “insiders” and “outsiders” in faith? ([50:42])
4. The sermon described the Bible’s big story as creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. How does this story in Genesis 20 fit into that larger narrative? ([27:40])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon compared the Bible to a corn maze—sometimes confusing until you see the big picture. When have you felt “lost in the maze” of life or faith? How might understanding God’s big story (creation, fall, redemption, restoration) help you in those moments? ([27:40])
2. Abraham lied out of fear and a lack of trust in God’s care. Can you think of a recent time when fear led you to hide the truth, exaggerate, or avoid being honest? What was at the root of that fear? ([30:52])
3. The truth eventually came out for Abraham, and God saw everything. Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to “cover your tracks” or keep something hidden? What would it look like to bring that into the light? ([30:52])
4. God’s faithfulness to Abraham did not depend on Abraham’s perfection. How does knowing that God keeps His promises, even when we fail, change the way you approach your relationship with Him? ([50:42])
5. The sermon said, “Jesus is the ultimate truth-teller.” In what ways do you struggle to trust Jesus with your life and your story? How can you take a step toward deeper trust this week? ([52:02])
6. Communion is a time to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and our place in God’s story. How does regularly remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection shape your daily life and decisions? ([54:15])
7. The story ended with hope that God will one day restore all things. What is one area of your life or our world where you long to see God’s restoration? How can you pray or act in hope this week? ([54:15])
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Devotional
Day 1: God’s Story: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration
The Bible tells one grand story that begins with God’s good creation, moves through humanity’s tragic fall into sin, unfolds God’s plan of redemption, and looks forward to the restoration of all things. From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s faithfulness and love as He pursues His people, redeems them through Jesus, and promises to make all things new. Understanding this overarching narrative helps us find our place in God’s story and see how every part of Scripture points to His plan to rescue and restore. [28:54]
Genesis 1:1-3, 31 (ESV)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
...
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Reflection: Where do you see yourself in God’s big story—creation, fall, redemption, or restoration—and how does knowing your place in His story shape your perspective today?
Day 2: The Root of Lying: Fear and Lack of Trust
Lying often grows from a root of fear—fear of others, fear of consequences, or fear that God will not take care of us if we tell the truth. Like Abraham, we may be tempted to twist the truth to protect ourselves, but beneath every lie is a deeper issue of trust. When we are afraid, we may take matters into our own hands instead of trusting God’s goodness and sovereignty. God calls us to examine the roots of our dishonesty and to bring our fears to Him, knowing He is able to care for us in every situation. [48:25]
Genesis 20:11 (ESV)
Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where fear tempts you to hide the truth, and how can you invite God into that fear today?
Day 3: God Is Faithful Even When We Fail
Even when we falter, God remains faithful to His promises. Abraham’s failure to trust and tell the truth did not stop God from protecting Sarah, blessing Abimelech, and fulfilling His covenant. God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our perfection; He keeps His word because of who He is. This truth gives us hope and assurance that, despite our shortcomings, God’s promises stand firm and His grace is greater than our failures. [50:42]
Genesis 20:17-18 (ESV)
Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Reflection: When have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life despite your own mistakes, and how can you thank Him for it today?
Day 4: Jesus Is the Perfect Truth-Teller
Jesus is the ultimate example of truthfulness—He never lied, never twisted the truth, and always trusted His Father, even when it was costly. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, He offers us forgiveness and new life. As we follow Jesus, we are called to walk in truth, relying on His Spirit to help us speak and live honestly, just as He did. [52:02]
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Reflection: In what situation today can you choose to follow Jesus’ example by speaking the truth, even if it is difficult?
Day 5: God Invites Us to Live Truthfully and Trust Him
Because God is trustworthy and always keeps His promises, we can be people who speak the truth and live with integrity. We do not need to cover our tracks or hide behind half-truths, for God knows us fully and loves us completely. He invites us to trust Him with our fears, our failures, and our future, and to let our words and actions reflect His truthfulness to the world around us. [54:15]
Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Reflection: Who is one person you need to be honest with this week, and how can you trust God as you speak the truth?
Quotes
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