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Text: Genesis 16:1-16
Chapter 16 begins with a reminder of Abram and Sarai's ongoing problem: they are still without a child. How can the promise of God to Abram be fulfilled without the provision of a family? It's in this setting that Sarai turns from trusting the Lord to take matters into her own hands, Abram fails to lovingly lead, and Hagar the servant is left to wander. Genesis 16 shows that our best efforts cannot bring about the promises of God. The God who sees and hears is faithful to bring about his will in his way.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
HEAD: QUESTIONS AIMED AT OUR MINDS TO HELP US UNDERSTAND GOD’S WORD.
Genesis 16:1 says, “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children…” Why is this a problem for Sarai and Abram? (Consider what you’ve already learned in Genesis 12-15)
What does Sarai do to try and remedy this situation? What are the results of Sarai’s actions?
HEART: QUESTIONS AIMED AT OUR AFFECTIONS TO HELP US LOVE GOD
Compare and contrast both the circumstances and responses of Sarai in her barrenness and Hagar in her loneliness and rejection.
What title did Hagar give to God in Genesis 16:13? What does this tell us about who God is?
HANDS: QUESTIONS AIMED AT OUR HANDS TO HELP US LIVE FOR GOD (PERSONALLY, COMMUNALLY, AND MISSIONALLY)
How have you been tempted to take matters into your own hands when you felt that God was taking too long to answer your prayers? What did you/ can you learn from these moments of temptation?
The greatest example of God fulfilling his promises when he seems absent is the cross of Jesus Christ. How does the cross assure us that God will never leave us or forsake us?