Genesis 23:3-20 Abraham needs to secure a place to bury his wife. This encounter occupies virtually the entire chapter. Why is this so important? What is the cultural background to this chapter? Three areas to consider from this passage: Abraham's faith, Abraham and the world, and the importance of remembering. (26 min.)

Keywords Abraham, Sarah

Genesis 22:20-23:4 Abraham receives a report from Haran about his brother Nahor. When did Abraham receive this report, and how is it important to our unfolding story? Shortly thereafter we encounter the death of Abraham's wife, Sarah. It has been a remarkable life, but it ends as it always does, with death. Why? Abraham, the man of faith, mourns for his wife. Why? What is the chief thing about Abraham we will learn as he seeks a place to bury his wife?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah

Genesis 21:8-21 In the middle of a celebratory feast, conflict arises as Isaac's older half-brother, Ishmael, makes sport his young sibling. What was Sarah's motivation for her seemingly harsh demand of Abraham? Why does God tell Abraham to listen to his wife? Why does he tell Abraham not to be distressed? Why is it so important to God that Ishmael have no part in the inheritance, and what is the relevance of that to us today? Why does Scripture call Isaac Abraham's "only begotten son?" What can we learn from Hagar's wandering in the wilderness of Beersheba?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Ishmael, Hagar

Genesis 21:1-8 At least five themes reveal themselves in this passage. Sarah, the role of God's Word, sonship, laughter, and impossibility. Sarah, long a seemingly incidental part of this story, is brought forcefully to center stage. What was the importance of Sarah’s faith to this unfolding story? God's promise and our reality. The contrast between the son of Abraham’s flesh and the son of Abraham’s faith. Naming your son "Laughter." Sarah says all who hear will laugh with her. Then she asks: Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Isaac

Genesis 20:8-18 So, exactly what did Abimelech do wrong? What was his sin? Abimelech considers the sin into which he's fallen to also be the sin of his kingdom. What is this thing about national sin? What ought to be our response to the sins of our nation and our leaders? Abraham's troubles here began with his prejudice. What is the nature of prejudice, and what forms does it take in our lives? How is Abraham like the Church?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Abimelech

Genesis 20:1-7 Our story returns now to Abraham, and we contemplate the significance of his travels to the Negev and on to Gerar. But Abraham, like us, is prone to compartmentalize his life. Why does he say that his wife is his sister? This has happened before, but how often have Abraham and Sarah carried out this deception? We learn an important new lesson about Abraham’s love and reverence for God when we consider a fear that has dogged him since he left Haran. We see what an awful mess Abraham has made of God’s promise, with no way to set things right. But God…

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Abimelech

Genesis 18:10-16 Sarah has finally heard, directly from the Lord, the marvelous promise. But what of the reality that has been Sarah’s world her whole life? What will win out in her heart, the past reality or the promise of God? How can one verse tell us two opposite things about Sarah’s faith? Does Sarah’s failure here doom her future and leave her outside of the covenant promise?

Keywords Sarah, Abraham, Faith, Doubt

Genesis 18:1-9 Abraham has another encounter with God. Who were these three strangers who visited him at his tent in Mamre? What is the significance of Mamre? Why was Abraham so hospitable to these three? God has a lot “on HIs plate,” can He really be bothered by someone little like you or me? Why does Scripture record such detail about Abraham’s preparations? Why did these visitors ask about Sarah’s whereabouts?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hospitality

Genesis 17:15-27 Now we discover the place Sarai is to play in God's great covenant promises to Abraham. God gives to Sarai a new name, and prohibits Abraham from using her old name. Why? Complications appear from previous carnal choices. How will Abraham persuade all his men to obey God's instructions?

Keywords Sarah, Abraham, Isaac, Circumcision

Genesis 11:10-32 The Righteous Line is considered from Shem to Terah. What was it like for Abram to grow up in Terah’s household in the city of Ur? How did Abram learn about the true God and His redemptive plan? But Sarai, Abram’s wife is barren. How could he ever be a part of God’s plan? Building the habits of faith.

Keywords Abraham, Terah, Shem, Sarah, Faith

Genesis 12:1-3 Abram learns that his life is part of a much greater story, one that will be told for generations to come. What did God call Abram to leave? What is it like to have to move when you don’t know where God is leading you? Seven remarkable promises for a very ordinary man. Why does God bless Abram?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Canaan, Faith, Promise, Blessing

Genesis 12:4-9 Abram leaves Haran and journeys to Canaan. What happens in someone’s life and actions when he truly believes God? Where does Sarai fit into this story of Abram’s faith? What is the difference between someone who goes out in faith and the one who does not? How is great faith measured? When the promise of God shifts our reality.

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Canaan, Faith, Promise

Genesis 12:10-20 In the face of a severe famine in Canaan, Abram chooses to go to Egypt. Was Abram acting outside of God’s direction for his life? Abram’s forgetting of God’s promises to him causes him to put his own wife in peril. Will God abandon Abram in this hour of Abram’s faithlessness.

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Egypt, Faith, Doubt

Genesis 16:13-16 Hagar, who has grown up worshiping the gods of Egypt, encounters the Living God of Abram. How will she respond when she discovers that God has always had His eye on her? (Apologies for inferior audio quality.)

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishamael

Genesis 16:7-12 Things are spinning out of control for everyone involved. Now Hagar, in an act of utter desperation, flees from Sarai. But she soon discovers that while she could hide from her mistress, yet God’s eyes are ever upon her. This turns out to be wonderful news for Hagar, as she discovers that He has been paying attention to all her suffering.

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishamael

Genesis 16:4-7 In using a culturally accepted solution to his problem, Abram fails to exhibit that difference that makes others notice the greatness of his God. What happens when we try to take control of our lives from God?

Keywords Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishamael

Genesis 16:1-3 Discouraged that she is apparently excluded from God’s promise to Abram, Sarai offers her husband a solution to their problem. Both of them fail to see that, though “everybody’s doing it,” it is a deceptive option fraught with complications.

Keywords Abraham, Hagar, Sarah