THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS
We will hear stories of God working in the lives of God’s people as they take the step of baptism the weekend of March 14/15. To start a conversation or learn more about baptism, visit adabible.org/baptism.
GROUP VALUES
This month, we are focused on caring for each other. How can your group care for each other? Discuss how you can stay connected when you aren’t meeting. Consider starting a Facebook group, a group text or an email string.
GROW AS A LEADER
Have you gone through our small group leader modules yet? There are several lessons prepared specifically for you to grow as a leader. If you haven’t at all or haven’t in a while, work through them a little at a time whenever it works for you! Find them at learning.adabible.org/small-groups.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the last week of our winter series, Learning to Trust. This week, we see that God provides for Abraham and Isaac as they trust.
What is one of your favorite summer places to visit where you always feel warm and refreshed?
Read Genesis 22:1-14 aloud. What words or phrases stand out to you? How does this story make you feel? How have you heard this story taught before?
THE GOD WHO PROVIDES
What is something in this story that helps us understand the character of God? What is something that initially seems out of character of God? Talk about how to reconcile those things.
What are some areas of life that we tend to find it challenging to let go of worry and control—and trust God instead? Why do you think it can be so hard to trust God to provide, even if we know we can?
When was a time God provided for you or someone else?
ABRAHAM TRUSTS GOD’S PROVISION
Read again Genesis 22:5 and 8. Talk about what you think Abraham might have expected God to do on the mountain? How did Abraham get to this level of trust in God?
Have someone read Hebrews 11:17-19. What does this New Testament passage tell us about the story of Abraham? What do you think he has learned about God?
How does it help to know that all this time Abraham has been slowly learning to trust? What are some times in your life that have deepened your trust in God? What have you learned about God through those times?
When God calls him in this story, Abraham responds with, “Here I am.” What seems significant to you about that response? How can it be hard to respond to God that way? When do you think you’ve been able to respond that way?
JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE PROVISION
We see in this story that God never wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son, but that God instead is willing to be the sacrifice in Jesus. How do we see Jesus’ death foreshadowed in this story?
Have someone read 1 John 4:9-11. How is God different from the false gods around Abraham and around us? Do you think people view God the way he is described here? How can we respond to this kind of God?
Why is it so easy for us to think we have to sacrifice ourselves to gain God’s approval, instead of resting in his sacrifice for us? How have you experienced this tension in your own life? What can we do to regularly remind ourselves that we don’t have to earn God’s love?
WRAP UP
This week we discussed God providing for Abraham and Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us. How has this week’s message and our discussion changed your perspective on this story of Abraham? What is one area of your life where you need to trust God’s endless provision, and what’s one step you can take to grow in that this week?
Download a printable PDF.