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October 9, 2024: Abraham Called God’s Friend
Read Isaiah 41:8-20.
“But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend” (v. 8).
Hearing the words “friend of God,” we immediately ask: “What outstanding characteristics marked the relationship between God and Abraham?” On the part of God, we see that God made great promises to Abraham, though he did not, nor do we, comprehend the magnitude of those promises. God proved His faithfulness to Abraham. God understood Abraham’s frustration, though He did not approve of Abraham’s attempts to “help God” fulfill His promises. God heard Abraham’s intercession, demonstrated in Abraham’s interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah.
On the part of Abraham, we note that Abraham communed with God, and God rewarded him for doing so through divine appearances. Abraham worshiped God, shown, in part, by his altar building at Shechem, Bethel, Hebron, and most significantly at Mt. Moriah. On several occasions, Abraham, the man of faith, resorted to human means, but God was the anchor in his life. Abraham’s outstanding demonstration of trust was most dramatically seen on Mt. Moriah when he obeyed God and placed his son of promise, Isaac, on the altar of sacrifice. When God tests us, He is not testing us so He can know what we are, but rather to prove who He is and that His grace is sufficient to strengthen us in what seems humanly impossible.
The overarching proof of Abraham’s friendship with God was not his works but his faith, and because of his faith, there were works. (LRW)
“Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23).
October 13, 2024: Fulfilling God’s Purpose
BIBLICAL BASIS: God Calls Abram to a New Country
FOCUS TEXT: Genesis 11:31 -- 12:9
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Genesis 11:31 -- 12:20; Deuteronomy 26:5; Acts 7:1-8; Romans 9:1-8
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 105:4-15
KEY VERSE: I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing (Genesis 12:2).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God's divine purpose is fulfilled by man's obedience to God's will.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify blessings that result from obedience to God.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. God's Call (Genesis 11:31--12:1)
II. God's Covenant (Genesis 12:2, 3)
III. Abram's Obedience (Genesis 12:4-9)
Oct. 6, 2024: The Failure of Self-Will
BIBLICAL BASIS: The Tower of Babel
FOCUS TEXT: Genesis 11:1-9
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Genesis 11:1-32; Romans 1:18-32
DEVOTIONAL READING: Romans 1:18-25
KEY VERSE: Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
CENTRAL TRUTH: True success comes only when we live within God's will.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify reasons why they should yield to God's will.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Powerful Resources (Genesis 11:1, 2)
II. Presumptuous Resolutions (Genesis 11:3, 4)
III. Providential Restraint (Genesis 11:5-9)
Sept. 29, 2024: A Sure Covenant
BIBLICAL BASIS: God's Rainbow Covenant With Noah
FOCUS TEXT: Genesis 8:13-22; 9:12, 13
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Genesis 8:1 -- 9:17; 2 Peter 2:5; 3:4-7
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 54:1-10
KEY VERSE: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth (Genesis 9:13).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God's gracious promises are based on His faithful character.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list some promises God keeps with man.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. God Remembers (Genesis 8:1-17)
II. Noah Remembers (Genesis 8:18-22)
III. Covenant of Remembrance (Genesis 9:1-17)
Sept. 22, 2024: When Sin Is Judged
BIBLICAL BASIS: Noah and the Flood
FOCUS TEXT: Genesis 6:5-11; 7:11-16
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Genesis 6:1--7:24; Matthew 24:38, 39
DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 17:20-27
KEY VERSE: The LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God's mercy will not forestall God's judgment forever.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify the characteristics of God's judgment.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Purpose of Judgment (Genesis 6:1-7)
II. The Method of Judgment (Genesis 6:8-22)
III. The Preservation of Life (Genesis 7:1-24)
Sept. 15, 2024: The Harvest of Hatred
BIBLICAL BASIS: The Murder of Abel by Cain
FOCUS TEXT: Genesis 4:1-16
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Genesis 4:1-26; Leviticus 9:1-7; Mark 7:21- 23; James 1:14, 15
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 John 3:9-18
KEY VERSE: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Sin is conceived in the heart before it is committed.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways we can guard our thoughts.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Principals in the Murder (Genesis 4:1-5)
II. Particulars of the Murder (Genesis 4:6-8)
III. Penalties of the Murder (Genesis 4:9-16)