Genesis - Lesson 9

Lesson 9 Lesson 9
THIS IS NOT A JOKE!

TEXT: Genesis 18 & 19

SEARCHING OUR MEMORIES
1. Discuss what you chose to do from last week's "Searching Our Lives" suggestions.
2. In last week's lesson, some of Abraham's character flaws were revealed. Discuss some of these flaws and the purpose of showing these imperfections of such a magnificent patriarch.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
1. In verse 1, who appeared to Abraham while he was sitting by his tent door at midday?
2. After meeting the Lord, whom else did Abraham see, in verse 2?
3. Looking at verses 2-8, describe five ways in which Abraham honored these divine guests.
4. God speaks to Abraham in verses 9-10 and reiterates the divine promise told earlier to Abraham, in chapter 17. Write down that promise.
5. 1. What is Sarah's reaction to God's words?
  2. Why do you think she reacted in this manner? Was the situation truly funny, or was her reaction rooted in unbelief?
6. Write the first part of verse 14. As you write it, answer within your heart the question the Lord is asking Abraham and Sarah.
7. As the men got up to leave, they looked toward the city of Sodom. Why does God decide to reveal to Abraham His plans concerning the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah?
8. The angels left, en route to Sodom, and Abraham was left standing before the Lord. Paraphrase the conversation that takes place between Abraham and God in the remainder of the chapter.
9. 1. Do you think Abraham was simply a "haggler" or do you think there is something else that is taking place in these verses? What do you see?
  2. In 2 Chronicles 20:7, how is Abraham described?
  3. What do you know about God's character that Abraham obviously knew? See Deuteronomy 32:4 and Exodus 34:6-7.
10. In 19:1, we see the angels arriving at Sodom.
  1. Who met them at the city gate?
  2. In what way is his hospitality like Abraham's?
11. Verses 4 and 5 are alarming! Describe what happens in this scene and Lot's reaction to it.
12. What do the angels do in order to protect Lot and his family from the evil men outside their door?
13. In verses 12 and 13, we see the fate of the city revealed to Lot.
  1. Whom does he try to convince to flee with him?
  2. What is their reaction?
14. Verse 16 says, "For the Lord was merciful to them." Describe God's mercies that you see in this chapter.
15. 1. To where did Lot and his family plan to escape?
  2. What time of day did they arrive?
16. Describe the mode and outcome of the devastation wreaked upon these two cities.
17. What happened to Lot's wife and why?
18. 1. In verses 27-29, we see Abraham doing what?
  2. Whom did God remember during His act of devastation?
19. In verses 30-38, we see Lot's daughters plotting to keep their family line from disintegrating. What is their plan, and how do they carry it out?
20. How do you think these peoples interacted with the nation of Israel in future generations? Who were their gods? What influence did they have on Israel? See Numbers 25:1-5, 1 Samuel 14:47, and 2 Chronicles 20:1, 10-11.
MAKING THE CONNECTION
1. The story of Abraham entertaining heavenly guests is a great illustration of Eastern hospitality. Abraham is a perfect picture of the manner in which the Bedouin sheik receives travelers arriving at his encampment. How do you see our God doing the same for us? He does not withhold His best, but entertains us as sinners with the choicest provisions of His house. See Luke 15:11-32 and Revelation 19:7-9.
2. Jesus says in Luke 17:32, "Remember Lot's wife." What do you think that means? Read Luke 17:26-33. What is Jesus' commentary on the world's view of life and His Father's view of life? See also 1 John 2:15- 17 and John 15:19. How are God's children to live in this world?
3. Jesus says to His followers in John 15:15, "But I have called you friends..." How is Abraham described in 2 Chronicles 20:7? What do the friends of Jesus do, according to John 15:12-14? What did Abraham do to be a friend of God in these two chapters of Genesis?
SEARCHING THE HEART
1. Read 2 Peter 2:4-9. "The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation." Take some time to reflect on how He has rescued you from evil and temptations. What does He do for you personally? How does He speak to you? Do you always hear Him and obey?
2. Sarah laughed because her life circumstances didn't seem to prove that God would provide her with the promised heir. God's watch appeared to be broken to her and her aging husband. Read 2 Peter 3:9. Apply this verse to your life circumstances. Is God slow about His promise to you, or is His patience your salvation?
3. Genesis 18:22-23 states that, "Abraham remained standing before the Lord" and "Then Abraham approached Him and said ..." Abraham was able to stand, approach, and talk to God! Isn't that amazing? He could do this only because God considered him to be righteous because of his great faith. ("And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God." James 2:23). How are we able to, even invited to, do the same thing? See Hebrews 4:16 and 10:19-22. Who makes this possible?
SEARCHING OUR LIVES (Choose one of the following to complete and discuss for next week.)
1. Read Hebrews 13:2, Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9, Titus 1:8, and 1 Timothy 3:2. Do you think it is important for a son or daughter of the King to practice hospitality? Challenge yourself this week and plan to show hospitality to someone in the next 7 to 10 days. Carry it out and report back to the class.
2. Really think of yourself this week like Abraham, as a "friend of God." What do you do with friends? How do you keep that friendship going? God longs for friendship with you ... real, intimate, and personal. He does not want to be just an acquaintance. Keep a journal this week and record your feelings, thoughts, and conversations with God as your best friend. See how this changes everything about your daily life.
3. God says to Abraham in Genesis 18:14, "Is there anything too difficult for the Lord?" How do you answer that question? Now think about how you really answer that question. Take at least 30 minutes to reflect, pray, and ask God to open the eyes of your heart. Make a list of things in your life that are too difficult for you now (or have been in the past). Pray about those and now give them to God, for whom nothing is too hard.

Lesson 10

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