Genesis 22 - The Sacrifice of a Son

Genesis 22:1-2
God told Abraham, “Take Isaac, whom you love, and go to Moriah and offer him there for a burnt sacrifice on a mountain that I will show you.”

What does verse 3 tell us Abraham did?  Did he argue with God?  Did he hesitate or stall to obey Him? 


Genesis 22:6-7
As Abraham and Isaac carried wood, fire, and a knife up the mountain Isaac asked his father where the lamb for the offering was.

What did Abraham tell Isaac about the lamb? 


Genesis 22:9
Abraham built an altar, placed wood on it, tied up Isaac, and laid him on the altar to offer him as a burnt sacrifice.

How do you think Abraham felt?


How do you think Isaac felt?



Genesis 22:10-13
As Abraham took the knife to kill Isaac and angel called to him and told him not to kill or hurt Isaac because God saw that Abraham feared Him and would not withhold his son from God.  Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in a bush by it’s horns, and so he sacrificed the ram to God instead.

The account of Abraham being called to sacrifice is son is hard to read.  As parents it’s hard for us to understand why God would require this of Abraham and how Abraham could actually make himself go through with it.  Imagine the relief and happiness both father and son felt when the Angel of God stopped Abraham form going through with the sacrifice!

Compare Abraham to God and Isaac to Jesus.  God and Jesus must have had similar feelings about Jesus being sacrificed on the cross for our sins.  Abraham and Isaac were spared actually having to go through with it, but Jesus was not.

Read Luke 22:42
This verse tells us that Jesus did have similar thoughts and feelings to what Isaac must have had!  Use the space below to write a prayer of thanks for God sacrificing His only son for us, and for Jesus, willingly being that sacrifice.

Geneis 21 - God Hears a Cry

Genesis 21:1-8
When Abraham was 100 years old Sarah gave birth to his son, Isaac, just as God had promised.

Why did Sarah name her son Isaac?

Genesis 21:9-14
Sarah heard Ishmael, Abraham’s son with Hagar, making fun of her and/or Isaac so she told Abraham to kick them out, and it was a very hard thing for Abraham to do.  God told Abraham not to worry about Hagar and Ishmael, because He would also make a great nation from Ishmael’s descendants.  So Abraham gave them bread and water and they wandered in the wilderness.

Read Genesis 21:15-21
What did Hagar do when they ran out of water?

Verse 16 tells us that Hagar lifted up her voice and wept.  Whose voice does verse 17 tell us God heard? 


God never promised that His children would never have hard times.  However; we have hope because we know that He will hear our cry and will always be there with us

Use the space below to journal your thoughts.

Genesis 20 - The Same Ole Mistakes

Genesis 20:1-18
Abraham and Sarah journeyed to Gerar.  Once again, they told the king, this time Abimelech, that Sarah was Abraham’s sister, and she was once again taken into the king’s house.  This time, God appeared to Abimelech in a dream and told him that Sarah was Abraham’s wife.  Abimelech returned Sarah to Abraham untouched and have him 1000 pieces of silver.

Like Abraham and Sarah, we often make the same mistakes, or poor decisions, over and over again.  Because we are human, we do this, and God is faithful to forgive us.  Therefore; we in turn should forgive others when they do wrong toward us.

Look up and read the following scriptures:
Matthew 8:22
Matthew 6:14
Mark 11:25-26

What do the scriptures listed above tell us about forgiveness? 




Is there someone in your life who has wronged you that you need to forgive? 


After you have forgiven this person, go by Abimelech’s example and go to that person and offer them some kind of gift or kindness.  Use the space below to journal about how you can show love and forgiveness toward that person.

Genesis 19 - God Spares the Righteous

Genesis 19:1-17
Two angels were sent to Sodom to destroy it.  Lot encouraged them to spend the night in his house.  The men of the city gathered around Lot’s house because they wanted to rape them  the angels caused the men to become blind so they couldn’t find the door to Lot’s house.  In the morning, the angels set Lot, his wife, and two daughters outside the gate of the city and told them not to look back.

Genesis 19:24-26
God caused fire and brimstone to fall from the sky to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.

What happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back at the city? (verse 26) 



The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were overtaken by the sin of sexual perversion and God destroyed them with fire, saving only Lot’s family because Lot was righteous.  In Genesis 6 we read that men had become so wicked that God regretted having made them, and destroyed them with a flood, saving only Noah’s family because Noah was righteous.

Read Matthew 24:4-51
In Matthew 24, Jesus described the end times, comparing them to the days of Noah.  God always makes a way of safety, or escape, for the righteous.  In the end times the righteous will be raptured, or taken up into heaven and escape the final destruction of the earth.

Use the space below to write a prayer thanking God for sending Jesus to save us and make a way for us to be spared from destruction. 

Genesis 18 Topic 2 - Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 18:20-33
The Lord revealed to Abraham that He was going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because they had become very sinful.  Abraham asked God not to destroy the righteous with the wicked.

Read verse 32 again.  God promised not to destroy the cities if he found 10 righteous people there.

What does this tell you about the nature of God? 



Why do you think God revealed His plan to Abraham? 




Read 2 Peter 3:9.

Use the space below to write a prayer to thank God for showing mercy to the righteous.

Genesis 18 Topic 1 - God Appears in Human Form

Genesis 18:1-8
As Abraham sat in the door of his tent the Lord appeared to him in human form, along with two angels.  Abraham asked them to rest under the tree while food was prepared for them.  They were served bread, butter, meat, and milk.

Many believe that Jesus appeared with two angels, since Jesus is God in human form.  What do you think? 



Genesis 18:9-15
The Lord began to speak with Abraham. Sarah, who was inside the tent, could hear them.  Sarah laughed when the Lord told Abraham that Sarah would give him a son, because she and Abraham were old and Sarah no longer had a monthly cycle.

How did the Lord respond when Sarah denied laughing? 



God had been promising Abraham a son for a long time.  Because of her age, Sarah laughed at the idea of her and Abraham having a child.  Sometimes God promises us things that don’t seem possible to us.  Use the space below to journal your thoughts or prayers.

Genesis 17 - A New Name

Genesis 17:1-5
When Abram was 99 years old God spoke to him and changed his name to Abraham.

Why did God change Abram’s name to Abraham? (verse 5)




Genesis 17:6-14
God, once again, promises to make Abraham the father of many descendants, and establishes the covenant of circumcision.

Who did God say was to be circumcised?


Genesis 17:15-22
God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, and promised that she would give Abraham a son in one year, and be blessed by God.

What was Abraham’s reaction to the idea of Sarah giving birth? (verse 17)






What did Abraham suggest to God concerning Ishmael? 



What did God promise Abraham concerning Ishmael, even though his covenant would be with Sarah’s son, Isaac? 

Genesis 16 - Another Bad Plan

Genesis 16:1-16

Since Sarai had no children she talked Abram into having a child with her servant, Hagar.  When Hagar became pregnant she despised Sarai and the Lord found her crying by a stream.  He promised her she would have a lot of children and told her she would have a son and would name him Ishmael.
Once again, Abram and Sarai came up with a plan of their own instead of simply trusting God and waiting on Him to fulfill His promise.

What feelings and problems do you think Sarai, Hagar, Abram, and Ishmael may have had as a result of this bad plan being carried out?








Have you ever felt like Hagar?  She must have been envious of Sarai, but also must have felt like an outsider, or like a second class citizen.  Even though Hagar took part in the plan, God heard her cry and had mercy on her.  Our poor choices or circumstances does not separate us from the love of God.

Look up and read Romans 8:38-39.  Use the space below to journal your thoughts or a prayer.

Genesis 15 - God's Promises

Genesis 15:1-6

Abram, being old now, had accepted that his heir would be one of his servants, because he still had no children.  Then, God had promised him that he would have more descendants than could be numbered, and Abram believed Him.

Genesis 15:18-21

God promised land to Abram’s descendants.

Have you ever felt like God made you a promise that seemed to be impossible?  

Write Psalms 130:5 in your own words in the space below.

Genesis 14 - Rescue

Genesis 14:1-15

There was a war in the land involving 9 kings.  During the war l of the food and goods of Sodom and Gomorrah were taken by the enemy.  They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, who lived in Sodom, and all of his belongings.  Someone who escaped the invasion went and told Abram, who then armed and trained his 318 servants and went after them.

Have you ever had to put yourself at risk to go after, or rescue a loved one?  Maybe your son, daughter, sibling, or other family member?  Sometimes we find the same person needing rescued again and again, but we keep doing it.

Do you ever wonder how God feels about having to rescue us? 

What is there in your life that you need rescued from? Addiction? Domestic Violence? 

Sometimes we are victims, like Lot, who had no control over being held captive.  Most of the time, however; we become victims of our own choices.

Genesis 14:16-24

Abram brought back all the goods that were taken, Lot and all is belongings, as well as all of the captives, and refused to keep anything offered by the king of Sodom as a reward for himself.  Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought bread and wine and blessed Abram, for he was also a priest.

Why do you think Abram didn’t accept any of the goods for payment, or reward?  

Genesis 13 - Family Drama

Genesis 13:1-12

Abram and his family went back to the land where he had built the altar and he and Lot became wealthy.  Their families and herds grew until they were crowded.  Abram’s herdsmen and a conflict with Lot’s herdsmen, so Abram went to Lot to settle the conflict.

What did Abram suggest to Lot? 

Why did Abram want Lot and himself to go their separate ways?  

Why do you suppose Abram allowed Lot to choose the land he wanted instead of just making the choice himself?  

Genesis 13:14-18

After Lot and Abram separated, God gave Abram all the land that he could see in every direction, and promised him that he would have more descendants than can be counted.

What did Abram do in verse 18?

Romans 12:10 says: Be kindly affectionate toward each other with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.

When Abram let Lot choose the land he wanted, he was showing him preference over himself.  In the space below journal some ways that you can show preference over yourself to someone you care about.  

Genesis 12 - A Bad Plan

Genesis 12:1-7

God told Abram to take all he had and to a new country, and God would bless him.  Abram did as God told him to do, taking his nephew, Lot, with him.  When Abram arrived in Morah, God told him that he would give this land to his descendants.

What did Abram do after God told him He would give the land to Abram’s descendants?  

Genesis 12:8-12

Abram kept going to south and, because there was a famine, he went to Egypt.

Why was Abram worried that the Egyptians would kill him but not Sarai?  

Genesis 12:13-17

Abram lied to the Egyptians and said that Sarai was his sister, so Pharaoh took her into his house.

What happened as a result of this lie? 

Genesis 12:18-20

Pharaoh sent Abram and Sarai away.

What do you think of Abram’s plan?  

Is there a situation in your life that you are worried about and don’t know what to do? 

Instead of making a bad decision, ask God for guidance, then trust Him to lead you down the right path.

Genesis 11 - Genealogy of Abram

Genesis 11:1-4

As the earth’s population grew the people began to spread east, and they came to a great plain where they decided to build a city with a great tower that would reach up to the sky.

Why did the people want to build a city with a tower? 

The people wanted to build a city with a great tower to make a name for themselves (to glorify themselves), not to glorify God.  Is there anything in your life that you are doing to bring glory to yourself, or to make a name for yourself, instead of for God?  

Genesis 11:5-9

The Lord came down to see the city and the tower.  Why didn’t God want them to build the tower? (Verse 6) 

What happened when God gave the people different languages?  (Verses 7-8) 

Why was the place called Babel? 

Genesis 11:10-30 tells us that Abram came from the lineage of Noah’s son, Shem.  We also learn that Abram’s brother, Haran, died after having a son named Lot; and that Abram’s wife, Sarai was unable to have children.

Genesis 10 - Genealogy of Noah's Sons

Genesis 10:2-5 tells us the genealogy of Noah’s son, Japheth, who became the father of the gentiles.

Genesis 10:6-20 tells us the genealogy of Noah’s son, Ham.

Genesis 10:21-31 tells us the genealogy of Noah’s son, Shem.

Why do you think the genealogy of Noah’s sons were included in the Bible? 

The things we do and the decisions we make have an effect on our children and grandchildren, and generations to come.  Use the space below to journal some decisions you have made that may affect your descendants either in a good or bad way.  What things can we do now to leave a positive impact on future generations?

Genesis 9 - A New Covenant

Genesis 9:1-17

God gave Noah permission to eat mean, but told him not to eat bloody meat.  God also told Noah that we are not to harm one another because we are made in His image.  God made a new covenant with Noah that He will never again destroy the earth with a flood.

What did God create to serve as a reminder of this new covenant? 

A covenant is an agreement.  What are some other covenants that God made with His people?

Exodus 34:28 The Ten Commandments

Numbers 25:11-13 A Peace Covenant

Have you ever made your own, personal covenant, or agreement with God? 

God takes covenants very seriously, so it is important to keep your agreements and promises not only to God, but also to others.

Genesis 8 - Solid Ground

Genesis 8:15-22

After the ground dried, God told Noah it was time to leave the ark.  Noah built an altar and made burnt sacrifices to God, which pleased Him.  God said that he would not curse the ground anymore because of the evil in men’s hearts and he would not destroy every living thing.

How do you suppose Noah and his family felt when they stepped off the ark onto dry ground? 

If you had just stepped out of the ark, what would be the first thing you would do? 

What was the first thing Noah did?

What was God’s reason for saying that He would not destroy all life from earth again? 

Like Noah, we sometimes face storms in our lives.  Sometimes, it takes a long time for the storms to pass, so that we can stand on solid ground again.  When God brings us through the rough times we don’t have to build an altar and burn sacrifices; but what should we do? 

Genesis 7 - The Floods

Genesis 7:1-10

God told Noah to bring two of every unclean animal into the ark, and seven of every clean animal, along with his family, because in 7 days he would cause it to rain for 40 days and 40 nights, flooding the earth.  So Noah obeyed God.

Was it raining when Noah and his family entered the ark? 

How long were they in the ark before it started to rain?

During the time that he was building the ark, and during the seven days after he entered the ark, do you think Noah had any doubts?

Do you think his wife and sons had any doubts? 

Sometimes we have to obey God, trusting in His words and promises, even though we can’t see any evidence of it yet.

Look up and read Hebrews 11:7

Use the space below to write a prayer asking God to give you the kind of faith Noah had; to believe in God’s promises to you, even when you can’t see any evidence of it happening.

Genesis 6 - God Saves the Righteous

Genesis 6:5-7

God saw that the people had become very wicked and that their hearts and minds were continually evil, and he was sorry that he had made them and he grieved in His heart.  God said, “I will destroy man and all of the animals because I regret that I have made them.”

Why was God sorry that He had made man? 

Genesis 6:17-22

God told Noah that he was going to destroy every living thing with a flood, but that He would make a covenant with him by saving him and his family on the ark.  God also told him to bring seven or two of every animal on the ark along with enough food for his family and all of the animals.  Noah did everything that God told him to do.

Who did God save from the flood? 

Do you see any similarities in the time that Noah lived in and the times we are living in today?  



Look up and read the following scriptures:

Luke 17:26-27

Matthew 24:37-38

Like Noah, we need to remain righteous in a sinful world, so that we can be saved.  Use the space below to write a prayer of thanks to God for always making a way for us to be saved.

Genesis 5 - The Price of Sin

Genesis 5:1-20

Basically, these verses tell us that Enoch was a descendant of Adam’s son, Seth.

Read Genesis 5:21-24

What happened when Enoch was 365 years old? 

Why did God take Enoch? 

Look up and read Romans 6:23.

What is the payment for sin?

What is the Gift of God? 

If the wages of sin is death, and Enoch didn’t die, what does this tell us about Enoch? 

Who was Enoch’s son? 

Read verses Genesis 5:25-29.

Who was Methuselah’s grandson? 

Genesis 4 - Jealousy

Genesis 4:1-7

Adam and Eve’s first children were two sons, Cain and Abel.  Cain was a farmer and Abel was a shepherd.  Cain presented an offering of fruit to the Lord and Abel brought the firstborn of his flocks.  Abel’s offering pleased God but Cain’s offering did not.  Cain became angry and his countenance fell.

Why did Cain become angry and jealous of his brother? 

Genesis 4:8-16

When Cain and Abel were out in the field, Cain killed Abel.  God asked Cain, “Where is your brother, Abel?”

Cain said, “I don’t know, am I my brother’s keeper?”

God said, “What have you done?  Your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.  You are now cursed. When you work the ground it will no longer grow food for you, and you will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

Cain told God that his punishment was more than he could bear, and he was afraid someone would kill him, so the Lord put a mark on Cain, so that no one would kill him.

Why do you think God didn’t accept Cain’s offering? 

Do you think Cain gave God his best offering? 

Do you think Cain gave his offering with an attitude of worship and thanksgiving, or do you think he gave just enough to be able to say he gave? 

When you give to God, do you give him your best offering with an attitude of worship and thanksgiving?