Faith That Inspires: Abraham and Isaac
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.”—Hebrews 11:17–22, NASB95
We live in a culture that demands convenience; we’re not good at waiting. Do you trust God’s timing, or do you demand your own?
Our Faith That Inspires series brings us to the great Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, whose faith called them to look beyond circumstances, beyond logic, beyond their human emotions, and ultimately beyond the span of their own lives. God’s promises to them were grand, but genuinely believing them and believing in Him required courage.
Each of these patriarchs faced death without seeing God’s promise to fulfillment, but they demonstrated their faith by blessings (Isaac and Jacob) and instruction (Joseph). Like Hebrews’ original persecuted readers, they had to hope in something greater than the scope of their lifetime.
We live in a culture that demands convenience; we’re not good at waiting. Do you trust God’s timing, or do you demand your own?
Our Faith That Inspires series brings us to the great Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, whose faith called them to look beyond circumstances, beyond logic, beyond their human emotions, and ultimately beyond the span of their own lives. God’s promises to them were grand, but genuinely believing them and believing in Him required courage.
Each of these patriarchs faced death without seeing God’s promise to fulfillment, but they demonstrated their faith by blessings (Isaac and Jacob) and instruction (Joseph). Like Hebrews’ original persecuted readers, they had to hope in something greater than the scope of their lifetime.
Discussion Questions
1. Read Genesis 22:1-19. When God called Abraham, Abraham answered, “Here I am.” God’s instructions that followed were the most challenging of Abraham’s life. Has there ever been a time in your life when the Lord pushed you way out of your comfort zone? Did you fully obey God’s direction or not? Tell the group about it. For additional study, look up these other occasions when God called someone with challenging or confusing orders: Jacob (Genesis. 31:11; 46:2), Moses (Exodus. 3:11), Samuel (1 Samuel. 3:4–8), Isaiah (Isaiah. 6:8) and Ananias (Acts 9:13-14). What is common to each of these? How do they remind you of your experiences with God?
2. Isaac was born fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah. Why would God now command Abraham to sacrifice him? Does the language of Genesis 22:2 seem particularly cruel and out of character with God?
3. Abraham obeyed God’s command despite its confusing logic. What was Abraham’s explanation when Isaac questioned his father about the sacrifice to be offered? Did Abraham know that God would prevent him from slaying Isaac? How does Hebrews 11:19 help us understand Abraham’s faith?
4. Read Genesis 22:5. What did Abraham say about Isaac to his servants? Abraham believed in God’s promise to bring a great nation out of Isaac, so Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God could bring him back to life again. Abraham even told his servants that the boy would return with him. What does that say about Abraham’s faith?
5. Read Genesis 22:2 and Genesis 22:8 with John 3:16. How does this foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrifice as God’s only Son expand our understanding of God’s character?
6. The legacy of faith Isaac learned from his father was passed down to his own sons, Jacob and Esau. God chose the younger son, Jacob, to continue fulfilling his promise to Abraham (see Genesis 25–36 for the story of Esau; Jacob’s story continues to the end of Genesis). How does a father’s blessing depend on God’s promise? Did your father confer a blessing on you? If you are a father, have you blessed your children? Why do blessings matter?
7. Read Hebrews 11:22, Genesis 50:24–25, Exodus 13:19, and Joshua 24:32. How did Joseph’s instructions about his bones demonstrate his faith? What can we learn about our legacy from Joseph? What are some ways you can implement this kind of faith in your own life and the life of your family?
8. Imagine your family five generations from now. What would you like to see in the character of your great great grandchildren? What actions are you taking now to build a foundation for those lives?
9. Which member of your group has demonstrated faith in a way that has blessed you recently? Tell them about it right now.
2. Isaac was born fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah. Why would God now command Abraham to sacrifice him? Does the language of Genesis 22:2 seem particularly cruel and out of character with God?
3. Abraham obeyed God’s command despite its confusing logic. What was Abraham’s explanation when Isaac questioned his father about the sacrifice to be offered? Did Abraham know that God would prevent him from slaying Isaac? How does Hebrews 11:19 help us understand Abraham’s faith?
4. Read Genesis 22:5. What did Abraham say about Isaac to his servants? Abraham believed in God’s promise to bring a great nation out of Isaac, so Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God could bring him back to life again. Abraham even told his servants that the boy would return with him. What does that say about Abraham’s faith?
5. Read Genesis 22:2 and Genesis 22:8 with John 3:16. How does this foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrifice as God’s only Son expand our understanding of God’s character?
6. The legacy of faith Isaac learned from his father was passed down to his own sons, Jacob and Esau. God chose the younger son, Jacob, to continue fulfilling his promise to Abraham (see Genesis 25–36 for the story of Esau; Jacob’s story continues to the end of Genesis). How does a father’s blessing depend on God’s promise? Did your father confer a blessing on you? If you are a father, have you blessed your children? Why do blessings matter?
7. Read Hebrews 11:22, Genesis 50:24–25, Exodus 13:19, and Joshua 24:32. How did Joseph’s instructions about his bones demonstrate his faith? What can we learn about our legacy from Joseph? What are some ways you can implement this kind of faith in your own life and the life of your family?
8. Imagine your family five generations from now. What would you like to see in the character of your great great grandchildren? What actions are you taking now to build a foundation for those lives?
9. Which member of your group has demonstrated faith in a way that has blessed you recently? Tell them about it right now.
Digging Deeper: Twelve Tests of Abraham
Abraham’s faith was tested at least twelve specific times. Some of them were not what we might call big tests, but together they established a picture of Abraham as a person whose faith was genuine. After the last of these, God said, “Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (Genesis 22:12).
Review each scripture reference of the tests and answer the application questions.
Genesis 12:1–7
Abraham left Ur and Haran for an unknown destination at God’s direction.
Do I trust God with my future? Is his will part of my decision-making?
Genesis 13:8–13
Abraham directed a peaceful separation from Lot and settled at the oaks of Marnre.
Do I trust God with my interests even when I seem to be receiving an unfair settlement?
Genesis 14:13–16
Abraham rescued Lot from the five kings.
Does my faithfulness to others bear witness to my trust in God’s faithfulness?
Genesis 14:17–24
Abraham gave a tithe of loot to the godly king of Salem, Melchizedek, and refused the king’s gift of Sodom.
Am I watchful in my dealings with people that I give proper honor to God and refuse to receive the honor that belongs to him?
Genesis 15:1–6
Abraham trusted God’s promise that he would have a son.
How often do I consciously reaffirm my trust in God’s promises?
Genesis 15:7–11
Abraham received the Promised Land by faith, though the fulfillment would not come for many generations.
How have I demonstrated my continued trust in God during those times when I have been required to wait?
Genesis 17:9–27
At God’s command, Abraham circumcised every male in his family.
On what occasions have I acted simply in obedience to God and not because I understood the significance of what I was doing?
Genesis 18:1–8
Abraham welcomed strangers, who turned out to be angels.
When was the last time I practiced hospitality?
Genesis 18:22–33
Abraham prayed for Sodom.
Am I eager to see people punished, or do I care for people despite their sinfulness?
Genesis 20:1–17
Abraham admitted to wrongdoing and took the actions needed to set things right.
When I sin, is it my tendency to cover up or confess? Do I practice the truth that an apology must sometimes be accompanied by restitution?
Genesis 21:22–34
Abraham negotiated a treaty with Abimelech concerning a well.
Can people depend on my words and promises?
Genesis 22:1–12
Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
In what ways has my life demonstrated that I would not allow anything to come before God?
Review each scripture reference of the tests and answer the application questions.
Genesis 12:1–7
Abraham left Ur and Haran for an unknown destination at God’s direction.
Do I trust God with my future? Is his will part of my decision-making?
Genesis 13:8–13
Abraham directed a peaceful separation from Lot and settled at the oaks of Marnre.
Do I trust God with my interests even when I seem to be receiving an unfair settlement?
Genesis 14:13–16
Abraham rescued Lot from the five kings.
Does my faithfulness to others bear witness to my trust in God’s faithfulness?
Genesis 14:17–24
Abraham gave a tithe of loot to the godly king of Salem, Melchizedek, and refused the king’s gift of Sodom.
Am I watchful in my dealings with people that I give proper honor to God and refuse to receive the honor that belongs to him?
Genesis 15:1–6
Abraham trusted God’s promise that he would have a son.
How often do I consciously reaffirm my trust in God’s promises?
Genesis 15:7–11
Abraham received the Promised Land by faith, though the fulfillment would not come for many generations.
How have I demonstrated my continued trust in God during those times when I have been required to wait?
Genesis 17:9–27
At God’s command, Abraham circumcised every male in his family.
On what occasions have I acted simply in obedience to God and not because I understood the significance of what I was doing?
Genesis 18:1–8
Abraham welcomed strangers, who turned out to be angels.
When was the last time I practiced hospitality?
Genesis 18:22–33
Abraham prayed for Sodom.
Am I eager to see people punished, or do I care for people despite their sinfulness?
Genesis 20:1–17
Abraham admitted to wrongdoing and took the actions needed to set things right.
When I sin, is it my tendency to cover up or confess? Do I practice the truth that an apology must sometimes be accompanied by restitution?
Genesis 21:22–34
Abraham negotiated a treaty with Abimelech concerning a well.
Can people depend on my words and promises?
Genesis 22:1–12
Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
In what ways has my life demonstrated that I would not allow anything to come before God?
Posted in Sermon Notes