Unit 7 – Journeys
Lesson 16 – God’s Promise to Abraham and Abraham’s Response – Gen. 12:2-3; 15:1-6; 18:1-15
For the Teacher’s Preparation
1. Aim: To lead the people to understand the nature of God’s promises and the conditions necessary to receive His blessings.
2. Explanation of the Aim: There are more than 7000 promises in the Bible. In 2 Cor. 1:20 we are told that all the promises of God belong to us who are in Christ and abide in His will. Just as Abraham received many blessings from God’s promise because of His trust and obedience so we too can look to His promises for everything that we need for life and godliness through the true knowledge of Jesus Christ and His word.
3. The Bible Story: Our lesson teaches us how God is as reliable as all of His promises. When a person has an intimate relationship with God they are more apt to trust Him for all the promises that are ours through Christ. People who fail to appropriate the promises of God in their lives may have unconfessed sin that is hindering their close fellowship with the Lord and His word. God promised Abraham that He would be His shield or sovereign Lord and King. That assured Abraham that God would see that all of His will would be accomplished through a trusting and obedient servant. It also meant that God would be Abraham’s great treasure, success and reward. There is nothing more satisfying that to be in the center of God’s will and Abraham believed that with all his heart. Help the people realize that as they believe God for His promises they too will not only receive eternal life, forgiveness of sins, but assurance of His blessings throughout their lifetimes.
4. Prepare to Teach: Read through the Bible lessons thoroughly before you come to the church. Pray that the Lord will give you great understanding into the essentials of this lesson. Ask the Lord to give you a love for each of the students in your class. Trust the Lord that this lesson will be greatly used in the life of each child in helping them appropriate all of God’s promises. The INTRODUCTION leads the people to understand the nature and conditions of God’s promises. Ask the people if they have ever been promised something only to later be disappointed. Ask them how that makes them feel? Discuss how the Lord’s promises are always fulfilled when we meet His conditions. The BIBLE STORY revolves around how God fulfilled His promise to Abraham and how he will also fulfill His promises to us through Christ. The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES helps the people make application to some of the most important promises for assurance for answers to prayer (John 15:7); assurance for guidance (Prov. 3:5,6); assurance for victory over temptation (I Cor. 10:13); assurance for forgiveness of sins (I John 1:9); assurance for salvation (I John 5:11-13)
CLASS TIME (Begin With Prayer)
Introduction
Ask the people what are some promises in the Bible? Give them several examples of God’s promises like John 3:16 and John 1:12. Ask the people how they can be assured that they will go to heaven when they die based on the promises of God? Ask the people how they can be assured that the Lord has a special plan for each of lives? (Jer. 29:11) Ask the people how they can know that they have the power in the Holy Spirit to refuse to be overcome by evil, because they can overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:21) Give a definition of a promise (Assurance as one will or will not do based on the character of the promise giver) Why is it impossible for God to make a promise and not fulfill it to those who are obedient to His will? What do you feel like when some person gives you a promise and then fails to fulfill it? Why is God unlike human beings regarding His promises?
The Bible Story
God’s promise to Abraham included seven dimensions: (Gen. 12:2-3) First, God said, “I will make you into a great nation” (The Jewish Nation of Israel). Second, God said, I will bless you.” (God’s blessings are both internal and external) Third, God said, “I will make your name great.” (God advances our reputation for His name’s sake and glory) Fourth, God said, “You will be a blessing.” (God uses us to enrich the lives of others as we serve, love and teach them about having a saving relationship with Jesus Christ) Fifth, God said, “I will bless those who bless you.” (God enriches the lives of those who benefit members of His family) Sixth, God said, “Whoever curses you I will curse.” (God rebukes anyone who opposes godly people who do His will) Seventh, God said, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (God wants to use believers to win and teach all the nations on the earth for Jesus Christ) The Lord is promising to restore the original blessing on all mankind through Abraham and his offspring. It shows what a great God will do through a person who has great faith in Him.
Our lesson teaches us how God is as reliable as all the promises found in His word. God promised Abraham that He would be His shield or sovereign Lord and King. That assured Abraham that God would see that all of His will would be accomplished through a trusting and obedient servant. It also meant that God would be Abraham’s great treasure, success and reward. There is nothing more satisfying that to be in the center of God’s will and Abraham believed that with all his heart. Help the people realize that as they believe God for His promises they too will not only receive eternal life, forgiveness of sins, but assurance of His blessings throughout their lifetime.
In order to keep Abraham from becoming too proud or reliant on temporal things, God assured him that His promise would be mainly in terms of spiritual blessings. Remember that God blessed people not for their own prideful prestige, but as proof to others of the effects of a trusting relationship with the Almighty.
God’s promises are mainly given in terms of spiritual rather than in material blessings. Paul wrote, “Praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3) Do not think that God is a magician who can be manipulated in to giving you what you want. God is the sovereign ruler over everyone. Yet, He is faithful to complete His Biblical promises if we are willing to meet His conditions.
God promises to provide us with everything we need for life and godliness through the true knowledge of Christ and the Bible. (2 Pet. 1:3,4) When God gave Abraham His promise, he also cautioned him against doubting, worrying or fearing delays in their fulfillment. Many people give in to the temptations to worry, fear or doubt God when they do not see immediate fulfillment of a certain promise. The Holy Spirit of God helps us overcome our uncertainties with greater confidence that God will do what He says He will do so that we can confidently act knowing God will not disappointed the faithful. Wherever there is great faith will come perseverance, proven character and greater hope. (Rom. 5:1-5) The Lord often allows us to pass through times of tribulation as He is working out His greater will in our life before all the promises are fulfilled. Consider how He wisely did this in the life of Joseph for the saving of millions of Jewish lives during the time of a great famine in the land. The Lord’s fulfilling of His promises may be slow but it is always sure and on perfect time.
The Meaning for Our Lives
Help the people make applications to some of the following most important promises for assurance in the Bible: 1). Assurance for answers to prayer (John 15:7); 2). Assurance for guidance (Prov. 3:5,6) 3). Assurance for victory over temptation (I Cor. 10:13) 4). Assurance for forgiveness of sins (I John 1:9) 5). Assurance for salvation (I John 5:11-13) 6). Assurance for strength (Phil. 4:13) 7). Assurance for overcoming evil (Rom. 12:21)
Let the people choose one of the assurances and have them memorize the verse so that they can share it with their parents and friends this week.
Response
Song: “Standing on the promises of Christ my Lord”
Prayer: Praise the Lord for His mighty promises that are ours through Christ Jesus our Lord. Ask the Lord to help us meet the necessary conditions to seeing His promises appropriated in our lives.
At Home: Let the people share what they have learned about the importance of God’s promises in their lives and relationships. Have them ask their parents what promises they are claiming from the Bible.
