A Promise Put in Motion – Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
Many generations after the tower of Babel, God chose to speak to a man named Abram (later called Abraham) who lived in Haran. God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a land that God would show him. God didn’t tell Abraham where he was headed, but he did make an everlasting covenant with Abraham that would be pivotal in the rest of human history. God would bless Abraham so that he would be a blessing, the same purpose God has in blessing his people today. He would also form the nation of Israel from Abraham’s family. Most importantly, God declared to Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3) Jesus, the Savior of the world and ultimate fulfillment of the promise to bless all the families of the earth, would come through the line of Abraham.
Family Activity:
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Time: 12 minutes
Materials: a toy that rolls (ball or car), a toy with batteries
Roll a ball/car across the floor and watch it move. Can it keep going forever? Turn on the battery-operated toy. Can it keep going forever? Discuss how everything we put in motion eventually stops. Toys might run into an obstacle like a wall or piece of furniture. Batteries will die and need to be replaced. When God puts something into motion, it doesn’t stop unless he tells it to. Think about the Earth. When God created our planet, he set it in motion. It has been rotating for thousands of years. How does God keep the earth going? God is more powerful than any obstacle, and he will never run out of energy.
Bible:
Read Genesis 12:1-3; 17:5-8, 19; 22:17-18, Hebrews 1:3, Matthew 24:35, Isaiah 46:10, and Revelation 7:9.
Discuss:
- What will last even longer than the earth and the skies? What characteristics of God does this verse demonstrate?
- Not only does God tell us his purposes will stand, but he also shows us. How can this encourage us when we think about God’s purposes to bless all the families of the earth?
Pray:
Pray that believers worldwide would actively seek to participate in God’s purposes to bless all the families of the earth.
This was a fun study on a day when our church service was canceled due to the snow. Genesis 19 is always hard to read but it’s such a blessing to see God keep His promises throughout scripture. Where would we be without God’s promises? It’s hard to imagine having hope without God’s faithfulness to keep His word. It’s awesome to see that His word is much more than a promise that we can count on, and rest assured in, but that his word makes all things consist. What a blessing! Thank you for this study.