Genesis 21 - Fruit

  1. Can you think of a season of life where “faith became sight” as something you trusted God for came to pass? How do those experiences fuel our faith for the future?

  2. Read Genesis 21:1-7. Identify phrases in the text that draw attention to God’s faithfulness. Why is Isaac, rather than Ishmael, considered the child of promise?

  3. Isaac’s name is based on the root word for laughter. Who was laughing, and why (see 17:15-19; 18:9-15; 21:1-7)? How does the theme of laughter help us follow the journey of faith for Abraham and Sarah?

  4. Read Genesis 21:8-12. What do you think were Sarah’s motives for sending Hagar and Ishmael away (see 21:9-10)? Were they the same as, or as noble as, God’s motives?

  5. Try to put yourself in Sarah’s place, and then Abraham’s or Hagar’s. How would you have felt? What does this conflict illustrate about living a life of faith vs living a life ‘in the flesh’ (ie, in a faith-less, self-willed posture)? What are some practical steps to take, or habits to form, to practice walking by faith?

    • In the sermon this morning, Robb told the story of Ayaan Hirsi Ali. You can watch her conversation with Richard Dawkins here.

    • Some questions taken or amended from Genesis (LifeChange Book 16) by The Navigators.

Robb EsperatComment