Journeying With Abraham

Going Deeper With God "Journeying With..." Study Series

Journeying with Abraham

Going Deeper With God - Journeying With... Study Series

2012 Joe Lenton. All rights reserved. ISBN - 978-1-4716-8615-3

This book may not be reproduced in any form without the consent of the copyright owner. Cover Photo - Joins by Joe Lenton

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised, Copyright 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. NIV is a registered trademark of Biblica UK trademark number 1448790. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today's English Version- Second Edition Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. Scripture quotations marked (NRSV) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Are you looking for a fresh way of interacting with the Bible? Especially a way to learn from some of the great heroes of Faith? Then Bible Study material written by freelance Theologian, Joe Lenton, may just be what you or your 'small group' are looking for... I used the material from 'Journeying with Abraham' for a month's devotional study, and found that I was stimulated to deepen my relationship with the Lord in a helpful and practical way. I warmly commend Joe Lenton's approach to Bible Study; the material he has produced will help us to engage with Scripture in a life-changing way.
(Revd Canon Gordon Bridger, Retired Principal of Oak Hill Theological College, Author of The Message of Obadiah, Nahum and Zephaniah from the IVP Bible Speaks Today series)

"Joe Lenton has produced a useful resource for use by individuals and by groups wanting especially to make connections between the life of Abraham and the life of faith today. With a mixture of background material and a plentiful selection of questions, this book helps us to journey with Abraham and to also journey deeper with God. I commend it to individuals and to groups for their own journeying of faith."
(The Revd Dr. Ian McIntosh, Principal, Eastern Region Ministry Course)

Going Deeper With God "Journeying With..." Study Series

Journeying With Nehemiah Journeying With Abraham

Journeying with Abraham

How to use this book
This book is part of a series of Bible study notes designed for use by groups or individuals. The aim of these notes is to help bring about a real encounter between our lives and the Bible text, whereby we might grow in our relationship with God and one another. Whilst seeking to understand the texts themselves is part of the process, the aim is not to produce a commentary on the passage. Those wishing to understand the historical setting and textual nuances in more depth might like to use a commentary alongside these notes. Our focus is on engaging ourselves as fully as possible with the world of the Bible, seeing it as our story and seeking to enter into it. This is an opportunity to bring our own journey of faith alongside that of a biblical character to see what we might learn about them and ourselves. It is an ongoing dialogue between them and us, their world and ours. A wide variety of questions has been provided for each passage. They are a mixture of personal reflection, application of the passage, theological reflection and analysis of the stories. The emphasis is on living our lives in the light of the texts. To do this, we engage our emotions, imaginations and analytical thinking. The questions are there to help provoke thought and discussion, not to constrain it. So, you will probably find that there are more questions than you need, especially for group discussion. It is recommended that group leaders do not cut short

discussion for the sake of getting through all the suggested questions. You might like to focus on areas where you sense that God is speaking most powerfully to you that day. This may be through lively discussion, or a sense of conviction to tackle certain topics, for example. It is normally a good idea to use a variety of types of question, rather than allowing yourself just to do the analytical ones, for example. Whilst we will all find certain types of thinking or discussion easier than others, it is often helpful to explore our weaker side as well. Some questions may evoke strong emotional responses, perhaps connecting with powerful memories of personal experience. Group leaders are advised to be sensitive to the situations of those in their group. Individuals studying alone may wish to work through difficult questions with a trusted companion, or you may choose to pass over those questions if need be. At certain points, there are cross-references to other relevant passages. These are marked in italics and found in brackets. Following on from the main study questions you will also find suggestions for further study. How much of this information you choose to bring into group discussion will depend on your group dynamics and the flow of the discussion so far. Any passages not looked up during group sessions or any questions for which there was insufficient time could be recommended for home study after the meeting. Individuals may use as little or as much extra material as they see fit. Each section concludes with suggestions for prayer, drawing on themes from the passage(s) studied. You may, of course, also bring other themes or needs to your prayer

time. It is recommended that you allow this time of prayer to be guided mainly by issues (whether positive or negative) that have arisen during your study. This enables you to follow up on them, consciously bringing them before God. It also means that each prayer time will be different and fresh. Although entitled Journeying With Abraham, these studies commence at the point when he was still known as Abram. The notes reflect the text in using Abram until 17:5 when it is changed to Abraham. It is my prayer that you will indeed find yourself Going Deeper With God by interacting with Scripture and one another under the guidance of the Spirit. Joe Lenton, 2012

Genesis 16
16:1-6
Who do you sympathise with most in this story? Why? Does anyone actually come out of this passage well? This is Gods chosen family acting like this what do you think about it? How do you feel about God as a result? If Gods promises seem slow to come to fulfilment, is it right to try and force the issue? Sarai blames God (16:2), Abram (16:5) and Hagar (16:5-6) - is any of this justified, do you think? What causes us to blame others? What does passing the blame do to families and friendships? Is it ever appropriate to blame God? Do you think Sarai seems self-centred kept me from having children, perhaps I can build a family (16:2 NIV)? What do you make of Sarai in this passage? Is she trying to be a good wife? Is Abram passive in this story, or is he empowering his wife? Do you think Abram shows proper concern for Sarai or Hagar? Is Abram being a good husband?

What do you think Abram could or should have done differently? Hagar is apparently not consulted but forced into the marriage (treated as a possession?). How do you imagine she might have felt? Hagars change of status suddenly changes her attitudes (16:4) can pride become an issue for us? How concerned are we about our social status? When the tables are turned, Hagar runs off. Bearing in mind that she is running off apparently alone into the desert, is this a wise move? How do we deal with conflict? Do we prefer to run off? Does this sometimes get us into an even worse situation? None of the people in this passage seems willing to take responsibility. Each character avoids responsibility and each of the women both acts as an oppressor and is oppressed. How easy is it for someone who is oppressed to become or to be an oppressor as well? Why might this happen? Do we tend to think of ourselves as oppressed or oppressors? Can you think of any examples where a movement towards greater freedom or wealth in our own lives causes oppression or difficulties for others? Must our liberation always be to someone elses detriment? How can we avoid this happening? Is there a difference in the way God liberates people compared to how we seek our own liberation?

What can we learn from Jesus experience of oppression and how he liberates others? What could you do to help someone suffering from abuse or who is being oppressed (an individual or group of people)?

16:7-14
How do you feel about Gods meeting with Hagar? Is it significant? Is God being harsh with Hagar by sending her back and telling her to submit to Sarai? Does she need to face up to her responsibilities and role in the family despite the problems? Do we need to? Have you ever had to submit to someone who was illtreating you? How did it feel? How did you cope? How might we discern when it is right to submit and when it is not? The Egyptian is met by God fleeing into the wilderness from Abrams family the opposite of what happened in the Exodus. Imagine that you are an Israelite hearing this story. Your people fled from oppressors in Egypt into the wilderness and there met God and entered into a covenant with Him that has defined you ever since. How might it feel to hear a similar story being told of an Egyptian slave?

God appears and speaks to a slave, even an Egyptian slave. Moreover, she receives the promise of innumerable descendants. Is there any person or people group that we would find it hard to believe that God would speak to? Hagar names God (unlike Abram). What does the name say about her experience of God? What do the ways in which we address God say about our theology or experience? The promise had been made to Abram in chapter 15, this chapter seems to be more about the women and how descendants will come and fulfil the promise than about Abram. Is Abram really the hero of the faith we sometimes might think of him as? Did he deserve Gods special attention and promises? What lessons could be drawn from this story about family life? How can a shared focus on Gods promises contribute towards healthy relationships? This low point comes right after a high point in Abrams life (chapter 15). Is this a familiar pattern in your own experience or one found in other stories in Scripture and elsewhere? Can anything be done about it? God does not give up on Abram or his family because of this blip in their relationship. In chapter 17 God appears to Abram and restates his promises and introduces the covenant of circumcision. How can this encourage us when we mess up? Why doesnt God give up on Abram (or us)?

Further Study:
You might like to consider how husbands and wives can empower one another without being passive or neglectful of their own responsibilities. Can you think of any passages of Scripture, whether stories or otherwise, that would illustrate positive examples of people empowering and supporting one another? Bearing children, even doing so via a servant might have been viewed as a cultural duty in those days. What kinds of family duties might exist in your culture today? Are they any more right/wrong than those of the ancient Near East or are they just cultural fashions?

Prayer:
You might like to ask God for awareness of how we oppress others and possibly even do so whilst seeking our own liberation. Pray about accepting responsibility for our actions and not blaming others. Perhaps pray for those who find themselves in forced marriages or under pressure to have children. You might like to pray for anyone who is currently suffering abuse or trying to recover from an abusive relationship. Possibly also pray for those who want children but are unable to do so. Ask God to draw close to them and to heal their emotional wounds. Thank God for his grace - He didnt give up on Abram or his family, despite their mistakes, and He will not give up on you.

You could pray for patience for yourself or others waiting for God to fulfil His promises and strength to resist the temptation to try and make everything happen ourselves.

About the Author

Joe Lenton works as a freelance theologian, speaker, writer, musician and consultant. He has an MA (Merit) in Aspects of Biblical Interpretation from London School of Theology. With several years experience of preaching and other work across various denominations as well as working in different cultures, Joe is well-placed to provide the church with resources to help Christians meet the challenges of life today. You can find other material by Joe on the Going Deeper With God website.

www.goingdeeperwithgod.com

We hope that you have enjoyed this sample chapter. The full book is available as an EBook through our website or in other formats through Amazon, iBookstore or other outlets. You may also like to try our other book in this series - Journeying With Nehemiah. This is also available as an E-Book through our website or in other formats through Amazon, iBookstore or other outlets. For E-Books, Meditations, Articles, Prayers, & more, visit our website: www.goingdeeperwithgod.com