BIBLE STUDY TIMES:

SUNDAY 8PM GMT - Hosted by Chris

TUESDAY 8pm CST- hosted by Awe

THURSDAY 1PM GMT - Hosted by Glizzie

THURSDAY 8PM GMT - hosted by Rainbow

TITLE: ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB

Who was at last weeks study?

Can you remember any of the key points from that study?

Have you been able to deal with any of the issues you mentioned last week that you struggled with?

Has anyone read the Christian Chat Bible studies online this week? www.christianchat.co.uk/bible/blog.html

INTRO:

Find out from each group member where they were born, and then talk about the different places they have lived over the years. Share the reasons why each move took place, and the significance for their lives of new homes, jobs, relatives children etc.

Go to this link in another browser window: http://www.biblemap.org/ and on the drop down list select Genesis 12. Then click on the link for Haran, Shechem,Bethel,...can anyone find Canaan? This shows some of the journey that Abraham travelled.

OVERVIEW OF THIS WEEKS STUDY:

Does anyone know anything about Abraham? His story starts in Genesis 12

Would someone like to find Genesis 12:1-3 and post it for us please? The link is http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis%2012&version=31

• God chose Abraham for a special relationship. Abraham showed great faith by obediently leaving his home at God's direction.

Could someone post the following :Genesis 17:15-9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=17&version=31

• God promised that, despite Abrahama and Sarah's age, they would have children of their own - and hence made a conenant to make Abraham the father of a great nation would be fufilled.

Does anyone know that the word "covenant means"?

In Genesis 21, some time later we see the promise / covenant fulfilled and they have a son called Issac.

What does God ask Abraham to do with Issac? - Genesis 22 1-2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=22&version=31

Imagine how he felt? But he obeyed God's voice

• Abraham immediatly obeyed God's command to go and sacrifice his son. At the most critical moment, and without realising it, he made one fo the most significant and profound statements of these early chapters..."God himself will provide the lamb" (Gen22:v8)

Why is this such an amazing statement?

Moving on years later we are quickly going to look at Issacs son, Jacob... does anyone know anything about Jacob?

• Jacob tricked Issac and received the blessing. he fled, travelling north on a 500 mile journey to Haran. After about 60 miles he had an encounter with God, resulting ina statement of commitement "The Lord will be my God"

GOING DEEPER

• Failure does not result in God abandoning us. Considoer they ways Abraham and Jacob failed. What caused the failures?
• What did God do in each circumstance?
• What can we learn from this which we can apply to our failures?
• Discerning God's direction is often very challenging for us. We want to know the full destails of the "journey" up front. how should we handle times of not knowing the exact details of what God wants?
• Lets all share ways God has revealed his plans to us.
• What Biblical ways can we find of hearing God speak to us today?
• Think through the implications of God's promise in Genesis 28:4 and Jacobs profession of faith in 28:20-22. Also look at Galations 3:14

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

From the issues discussed, what does God want to say to you?

What reassurances do you need that God still loves you despite failure, and that he has GREAT plans for your life?

If youa re sensing God moving you on into something new, allow the Holy Spirit to give you peace, even if you can;t see the whole journey.

Is there someone with whom you have had a fundamental breakdown of relationship (like Jacob and his brother)?

What is God calling you to do to see it restored?

Spend the closing time in prayer about these issues.

NEXT WEEK: Next week study please view the Christian Chat Bible Studies which will be posted daily to www.christianchat.co.uk/bible these will give you a daily series to help you prepare for next weeks study.

Christian Chat Carols and Communion will be on Friday 21st December 9pm GMT - would you like to be invovled? We need people to do readings, sing, etc etc... please email one of the monitors is you would like to step out!