BIBLE CHRONICLES: Story #6: GOD CALLS ABRAM

Bible Chronicles Story #6

GOD CALLS ABRAM

Based on Genesis 12:1-4

IMPORTANT: FOLLOW THESE STEPS FOR EVERY FAMILY GROUP SESSION!

(Before every FAMILY GROUP STUDY….welcome everyone to this special time with God. Ask them to share how God is blessing each one and if there are any pray needs or practical ways the group can offer support. Be sure to pray for the requests immediately and figure out the practical support right after this time in God’s Presence.). Take turns leading each step below.

1. OPENING PRAYER

In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One GOD, AMEN.

Almighty God, open our minds and hearts to your wisdom and understanding and help us passionately learn and grow closer to you and the amazing new life you offer us as we read and share your stories revealed in the Bible with others. AMEN

2. STUDY THE PICTURE (ILLUSTRATION)

• There is an elderly man and a woman and others traveling away from a big city.

• They have lots of supplies so it might be a long journey.

3. READ and take notes and draw pictures so you can TELL THE STORY TO SOMEONE IN YOUR OWN WORDS

• Origin of the People of God Abram, man of faith Genesis 12:1-4

  • https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+12%3A1-4&version=NCB

  • The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people, and the house of your father, and go to the land to which I will lead you. “I will make of you a great people and I will bless you. I will make your name great and it will become a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. And through you all the nations on the earth shall be blessed.” Abram therefore departed, just as the Lord had ordered him. Lot went along with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

• Story #6 (about God calling Abram) happened many years AFTER

  • God made a promise with the rainbow with Noah (Story #4) and

  • God spread the people away from the Tower of Babel (Story #5).

  • his was also many years BEFORE Jesus was born (Story #49).

• Abram was 75 years old when he heard God’s voice.

• He and his wife, Sarai had no children.

• Abram lived in a place and time when human beings had again forgotten their Creator and closed their hearts to the one true God. They worshipped idols and everything else.

• God had a plan to prepare His people to follow God again.

• God prepared Abraham with the gift of FAITH (to believe and trust God without knowing or understanding everything clearly.)

• God then gave Abram the choice to TRUST and OBEY God’s voice and directions to go to a faraway land of promise called Canaan.

• He told Abram: Leave your country, leave your father’s house, and go to a land that I will show you.

• Abram listened to the Lord and followed his voice. He trusted in God’s promise to bless him and care for him and his family.

• We know now that it was God’s Plan all along to have Abram to be the Father of many and to lead God’s people to the Promised Land where Jesus would one day come and be born to save all of us from sin and death.

4. What are you learning about who GOD is?

• Even when everyone is turning away from God, He keeps looking for at least one good leader like Abram who will listen to His VOICE and CHOOSE to obey His WILL and PLAN.

• God sometimes calls us to do things that take us away from a comfortable, safe life.

5. How are people acting toward God?

• The people during Abram’s time had turned away from God and were worshipping idols.

• Abram LISTENED and OBEYED God.

• Abram TRUSTED in God’s promise of blessing for himself, his family and others after him.

6. How is this story helping you listen and obey God’s VOICE?

• I realize that God has a wonderful plan for all of us and that He is revealing His will and plan to all of us, if we are willing to listen.

• I will take time to ask God to guide me…I WILL listen to what He says in His Stories and ask Him for the strength and courage to carry out what He asks me to do.

7. Who will you share this story with?

• I will share this story with a courageous family moving to a new home far from everyone they know, because God is calling them there to make God #1 in their lives, away from all the distractions of the world.

8. Always thank God in prayer for each story.

• Loving Father! We thank you for your stories in the Bible. They teach who you are and help us to understand that you are always loving us and giving us a way to return to your first plan for us: to enjoy your good and beautiful Kingdom with you now and forever. AMEN