We focus the call of Abraham in this study
Study Series Number 01
ABRAM’S OBEDIENCE
Text: Genesis chapter 12: 1-6
Introduction
The LORD God, who created the heavens and the earth, spoke to Abram and instructed him to leave his home country for a place He – God was going to show Abram. The instructions were not simple, except for those who had submitted themselves to God. This study raises the following questions:
- How did Abram know that God was speaking to him (not his thoughts or hallucinations or a demon that would destroy him)?
- Why did Abram obey God and leave for a place with which he was not familiar?
- How did Abram know who to take along with him on this journey?
(Form a group of five, discuss the above questions for about five minutes, and return to the central place to continue with this study).
Remember that Abram’s father, Tarah, began the journey to Canaan but stopped at Haran (Genesis chapter 11, verses 31 and 32). Unfortunately, Abram’s father died in Haran and could not complete the long journey. Finally, Abram was called by the LORD to continue his father’s legacy, and he left his homeland for Canaan, as instructed by the creator God (Genesis 12, verse 5).
Lessons
When God gives instructions or leads His people in a particular way, He has His reasons which may or may not be fully known to that person(s) at the initial stage of their interaction with God. The important thing is to verify whether God is the One speaking, your human thoughts, or just your feelings.
Mention other people in the Bible who knew God spoke to them but waited to be sure before acting on the words they heard, so as not to act on an incorrect order that did not originate from their Heavenly Father/God.
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Yes, Samuel asked Eli if Eli was calling him. Gideon asked the LORD to do certain things that only God could do to reassure him that God was the One giving him instructions before he began to act upon the given directives. Paul wanted to preach in some places, but God/the Spirit of Jesus did not allow him until he had a dream of a man asking Paul to come and help them in Macedonia. On waking up, Paul asked his Christian companions to let them go to Macedonia to serve God.
What lessons can we learn from the people of God whom God guided in the Bible as we live for God in this generation as Bible-believing Christians?
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Yes, we need to make a commitment to God as our Heavenly Father so we can understand Him when He speaks or guides us. There are exemplary Bible personalities that we often refer to as trusted in God, and God makes Himself available to speak to them regularly. He has started speaking to you, too, when you read the Bible, but he will speak specifically to you and your situation as your Heavenly Father when you commit to believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, and follow his guidance. Additional studies will be conducted to further explain this finding in subsequent studies.
Final questions
- How was Abram able to hear the LORD and understand his guidance?
- Why did Abram immediately obey it?
- What will you do to know God better? Read John 3:1-5, 16, 17. John 5:11, 24
Let us pray: LORD Jesus, guide us to understand your plan of salvation, to believe in You, and to have access to all that God has planned for those who believe in You, in Christ’s name. Amen.