Use these for group work, or to assist your personal reflection.
- This passage of scripture is quite well known. Discuss the different themes within it which a preacher could preach upon.
- What do you make of Abraham’s familiarity with God? In what circumstances could we address Him in the some way?
- The principle that a righteous person should save the sinner is one that works out in our lives today in many different ways. Can you give examples?
Use the programme which can be found on the link ‘discipleship challenges’. The ‘worksheet’ will help you follow through anything you feel is right to take up. The following notes are for your interest and consideration.
Personal comment:
There is a closeness between Abraham and God here in this text which is awesome. It challenges me to think about my own relationship with the Lord and to try to work out why there are times when I feel very close to Him and sometimes when I feel far away. Perhaps it has something to do with my involvement in God’s greater plans for the whole world, and whether I have sacrificed this for my own concerns.
Ideas for discipleship programme
- The nearest we may come to this experience of Abraham is in intercession. Praying for other people may be something you do quite naturally, but it may be something of real difficulty for you. This passage encourages us that God hears our prayers, especially those for family members who are spiritually close to us.
- Go for a long walk and consider what the Lord is saying about the sinfulness of the world today. Does He prophecy doom against sin today in quite the same way? Think about this and pray about it.
Holy Father, who has shown in Jesus Christ Your complete mastery of the whole Universe and all spiritual realms, take away the natural fears we have concerning evil and the works of Satan. Replace these fears with a confident faith which is content to trust in You for everything: I ask this through Jesus Christ, my Lord. AMEN
