TEXT: Genesis 11 & 12

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

   2. What was the covenant between Noah, his descendants, all living creatures, and God? What was the symbol of this covenant?

   The first eleven chapters of Genesis deal with four great events: the Creation, the Fall of Man, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. Beginning with Chapter 12, we will see God's interaction with men instead of big events. We will see God's great trust in Abraham as the first patriarch. God's threefold promise to Abraham will be a foreshadowing of the Creator's plan to save man from eternal destruction.
   We begin this lesson with man's plan to equal God in building a tower to reach God in heaven.

2. SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
   3. In 11:1, how is the world described?

   4. What was the purpose of building the tower?

   5. What was the tower called and why?

   Can you imagine how difficult it would be to communicate with someone who did not speak the same language as you? Imagine trying to build a structure or give directions to a certain location if a language barrier existed. What if you were talking with a friend and in an instant neither of you could understand what each other was saying? God does have a sense of humor, and He is undoubtedly always in control.

   Because God confused human language at the Tower of Babel, the earth would never again be a monolingual world. Throughout the centuries, mankind has split up in many ways--from the Great Wall of China, to the closed society of the Japanese, to the psychological hold that communist governments have on their populations. At the time, man thought that building the Tower of Babel was practical and sensible. But when the "cravings of sinful man" set in, the "lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16) pleased Satan and not God.

   6. In verse 4, what command of God are the people rejecting? (Genesis 9:1)

   7. Noah had three sons. Which son's genealogy is traced in chapter 11?

   8. Shem's line will be followed throughout the Old Testament. Why do you think that his is the genealogy we will follow?

   9. Where did Terah settle with his son Abram, his grandson Lot and his daughter-in-law Sarai (the wife of Abram)?

   10. After Terah's death, what did God instruct Abram to do?

   11. What were the three promises God made to Abram?

   12. What was Abram's response to God's instructions?

   People worshipped many gods in Ur. Was Abram's family committed to those gods? Several resources suggest that Terah, Sarai, Laban and Haran were each named after the moon, the moon god, or his associates. Abram's family tree grew out of idol roots. Were Abram and Sarai looking for another god, or was God looking for them?

   13. How old was Abram?

   14. Who accompanied Abram?

   15. Where did Abram stop his caravan?

   16. 1. What promise was given to Abram at this site?

       2. What two things did Abram do after entering the land of Canaan, where God had told him to go?

   17. Which direction did Abram continue toward?

   Abram's calling had a great purpose. Abram was told to leave his country, his people, and his father's household, but he was told nothing about the land to which he must go. His departure required an unparalleled act of faith. His obedience would bring great blessings. To bless Abram would bless all mankind. So, why Abram? Genesis 12:4—"So Abram left"—alludes to an answer. Possibly the answer is "because he would go."

   18. What natural occurrence took place that caused Abram to journey to Egypt?

   19. In what way would Abram and Sarai be deceitful?

   20. Why did the Lord inflict serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household?

   21. What question did Pharaoh ask Abram after he was inflicted with diseases?

   22. What action did Pharaoh take after the Lord cursed him with serious disease?

   We see time and time again how Satan tempts those who are directly connected to God. Abram has just accomplished an unprecedented act by leaving his surroundings and following God's direction. Right after the calling of Abram and his obedience, he chooses not to walk by faith as he had in the beginning, but God had made promises to him and He would keep those promises. God would not let the foolishness of this man throw His plan into jeopardy. Abram would not be the only patriarch who had to be rescued from difficulties.

3. MAKING THE CONNECTION
   23. What event in the New Testament is a "reverse" of the Tower of Babel? (Acts 2:5-11)

   24. How did God intend to bless all nations through Abram? (Galatians 3:16)

   25. How are we included in God's promise to Abram? (Acts 3:25, Galatians 3:26-29)

   It is recorded that one of Noah's sons (Shem) becomes the line which we will follow all the way through the Old Testament and into the New Testament. Shem was 98 years old at the time of the Flood (Genesis 11:10.) Genesis 10:21 states that Shem is the ancestor of all the children of Eber. This includes all the Arabian tribes as well as Abraham's [Abram's] descendants. There were other descendants of Abraham by his children other than Isaac (Gen. 25:2-4.) This means that all of these other descendants became what are known as the Gentiles. Acts 14:16-17 reveals how God treated the Gentile nation--"In the past He let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons. He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

4. SEARCHING THE HEART
   26. Just as in Abram's case, our Christian walk is not guaranteed to be without worries. In what way does our faith develop during trying times? (See James 1:2-4.)

   27. In Abram's thoughts, God's promises may have seemed impossible. Can you recall any of God's promises that seem impossible to you?

   28. What lesson can you learn from Abram's step of faith?

   29. Are you encouraged or discouraged by the account of deception by Abram and Sarai recorded in the scriptures?

   God's servants should trust Him completely and not resort to self-directed schemes.

5. SEARCHING OUR LIVES (Choose one of the following to complete and discuss for next week.)
   30. Abram was 75 years old when he was called by God. Is there an age that's suitable for a Christian to retire from the work of the Lord? Make a list of encouragements for a Christian sister who may feel she's too old to be useful to the Lord.

   31. Make a list of practical advice concerning walking by faith when Christians are tested. (And see 1 Corinthians 10:13 and 2 Timothy 2:22.)

   32. Abram built an altar at the tree of Moreh at Shechem (12:6) and in between Bethel and Ai (12:8), as he traveled on his journey. Since many of us travel (or have relocated), make a list of how Abram is an example to us during this time and practical advice for remembering his example.

   33. Make a list of actions that you see in fellow Christians (or that should be in you) that show the world whom we serve.

   34. Make a list of practical suggestions/encouragements to help us learn to live by obedience, as Abram did, in our everyday lives.

   Romans 4:18-21: Against all Hope, Abraham believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about 100 years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.

   Just as Abraham waited on God, we must wait on God in prayer. If we don't know what to do, wait. Not getting a prompt response doesn't mean that we have been denied our petition. While we wait patiently (or impatiently), God is working on us. We are told to expect struggles, so why are we surprised when life's challenges occur? Be diligent in Bible study, prayer and fellowship. God does not change--but through Him, we can.