TEXT: Genesis 22 & 23

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

   2. From last week's text, discuss specific ways Abraham "did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God" (Romans 4:20).

2. SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
   3. What instructions did God give Abraham concerning Isaac?

   4. How many days did Abraham, his servants, and Isaac travel before they reached the place where Abraham would offer his sacrifice?

   5. As they neared the place where the sacrifice was to take place, what instructions did Abraham give to his servants?

   6. As Isaac and Abraham traveled on alone, what did Isaac question his father about, and how did Abraham answer him? (verses 7-8)

   7. When they reached the place God had told them about, what did Abraham do? (verse 9)

   8. Just as Abraham was about to slay his son, what happened?

   9. What did Abraham offer as a sacrifice instead if Isaac?

   10. What message did the angel of the Lord deliver to Abraham? (verses 15-18)

   11. How old did Sarah live to be?

   12. What did Abraham request of the Hittites (sons of Heth)?

   13. Abraham asked the Hittites' help in arranging what type of deal with Ephron son of Zohar? (verses 8-9)

   14. What did Ephron offer to do? (verse 11)

   15. What terms did Abraham and Ephron agree on? (verses 12-16)

   16. What all was deeded to Abraham? (verses 17-18)

   17. Where was Sarah buried?

3. MAKING THE CONNECTION
   18. Hebrews 11:17 tells us it was by what that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice?

   Read Hebrews 11:13-16.
   19. What do Abraham and the others listed by the Hebrew writer have in common? (verse 13)

   20. Verses 14-16 describe how these men of old were strangers on earth, longing for a country of their own. Discuss how their longing parallels the longing we have as Christians for our spiritual home in heaven.

   21. Hebrews 11:15 states that the people discussed in Hebrews 11 would have had the opportunity to return to the country they had left if that is what they had desired. Discuss how losing our longing for heaven could cause us to travel back to where we were before we became children of God.

4. SEARCHING THE HEART
   22. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac even though God told him His promise would be fulfilled through Isaac. Discuss ways we can tune our hearts to God's plans when "common sense" tries to convince us otherwise.

   23. Read 1 Peter 3:3-6. Discuss what fears we, as Sarah's "daughters," face and how we can avoid giving way to them.

5. SEARCHING OUR LIVES (Choose one of the following to complete and discuss for next week.)
   24. Abraham listened carefully to God for his instruction. You may already keep a prayer journal; if not, keep one this week and record the answers God gives as you speak to Him in prayer.

   25. Abraham was told that "all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me" (Genesis 22:18). Write down and share how witnessing obedience in others has been a blessing to you.