TEXT: Genesis 20 & 21

1. SEARCHING OUR MEMORIES
   1. Discuss what you chose to do from last week's "Searching Our Lives" suggestions.

   2. Take a moment to reflect on all God revealed about Himself in Genesis 18 and 19. What did you see about His nature in last week's text? Where did you see His faithfulness? Patience? Justice? Discipline? Love? Mercy? Compassion? What other attributes did you see?

2. SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
   3. When Abraham and Sarah were in Gerar, what did Abraham say his relationship to Sarah was?

   4. Had Abraham tried this before? (See Genesis 12:10-20.)

   5. What problem did this create?

   6. When Abimelech pleaded his case to God, what was God's response? (verses 6-7)

   7. What was Abraham's response when Abimelech asked why he had deceived him? (verses 11-13)

   8. How did Abimelech attempt to "right his wrong" with Abraham? (verses 14-16)

   9. What punishment had Abimelech's household received because of Sarah? (verses 17-18)

   Abimelech's household's infertility suggests that Sarah may have remained Abimelech's wife for quite some time before God visited him and corrected his error.

   10. What was Abraham's age when Isaac was born?

   11. "Isaac" means "he laughs." What explanation did Sarah give for Isaac's name?

   12. During the feast that was held on the day Isaac was weaned, Sarah saw that Ishmael was mocking. What did she tell Abraham to do concerning Hagar and Ishmael? (21:10)

   13. How did Abraham feel about Sarah's request?

   14. How did God reassure Abraham?

   Hagar and Ishmael were sent away with some food and a skin of water. As the water ran out and Hagar felt there was no hope, God heard the boy's cries, and the angel of God called to Hagar.

   15. 1. What instructions did the angel give Hagar?

       2. How did God provide for them?

   16. Genesis 21 ends with Abraham and Abimelech making a treaty at Beersheba. After planting a tree there, what did Abraham do? (verse 33)

3. MAKING THE CONNECTION
   Read Romans 4:18-25.
   17. Paul stated that Abraham, "without weakening in his faith," faced what fact after God promised him many descendants? (verse 19)

   18. In verse 20, Paul says Abraham did not waver through what?

       But was strengthened in what?

   19. How does Paul say Abraham was confident that what God had promised would come to pass? (verse 21)

4. SEARCHING THE HEART
   20. In Genesis 20:11, Abraham attempts to justify his behavior by stating "There is surely no fear of God in this place…" Do you find yourself adjusting your behavior depending on the mood of the crowd?

   21. Abraham was distressed about sending Hagar and Ishmael away because "it concerned his son" (Genesis 21:11). God reassured him of the plan He had for Ishmael. Discuss ways we can overcome anxieties about our own children and encourage them to be faithful to the plan of God.

5. SEARCHING OUR LIVES (Choose one of the following to complete and discuss for next week.)
   22. God fulfilled a great desire of Sarah's heart by giving her a child. Sarah stated that God had brought her laughter and "everyone who hears about it will laugh with me." Share with others ways that God has given you great joy, and allow them to laugh with you.

   23. When Hagar cried out for help, God "opened her eyes" and she saw a well of water. Share a time when you cried out to God for help and He opened your eyes to the solution.

   24. Genesis 21 begins by telling us that "the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised." Make a list of ways God is gracious to you this week and promises he has kept.