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.