Questions for our next study: Genesis 15 - 17

Abram is "in training", learning how to exercise his faith in the practical details of life. Can God be trusted in times of famine? Can he supply what Abram needs? Abram experineces God's intervention in Egypt on Sarai's and his behalf. When Lot chose the most fertile part of Canaan for his flocks, the Lord repeated, giving greater detail, the promise to Abram of the whole land and multiplied descendants. After rescuing Lot from the kings who plundered Sodom, Abram declared his undivided loyalty to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. He gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God, and he refused to accept the king of Sodom's gift of the spoils of war. So our study begins, After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision.

Read Genesis 15

1. Put in your own words the reassurance the Lord gives to Abram in verse.

2. What is the reason for Abram's distress in verses 2 and 3?

Note that according to ancient documents a childless man could adopt one of his male servants to be his heir or guardian of his estate.

3. In response to Abram's complaint, God renews his promise of offspring as numerous as the stars (15:5) or the dust of the earth (13:6). How does Abram respond to God's astounding promises?

4. Upon what does Abram base his belief?

Compare Romans 4:3, 18 -24 to better understand the implications of Abram's faith.

On what do you base your own faith - the character of God, your own works, or something else?

5. What covenant or pact does God make with Abram (verses 4-8, 18-21)? What future events does God reveal to Abram?

6. In ancient covenant ritual (vv 9,10,17) both parties would pass between th dismembered animals to signify what would happen to them if they broke the covenant. "May it so be done to me if I do not keep my pledge". How would the sign of fire assure Abram that God would keep his coveant?

What is Abram's role in the covenant?

Read chapter 16

7. Some 10 years have passed since God first promised descendants to Abram. To what household pressure does Abram yield and why?

8. What seemed like a workable idea soon runs into trouble. How do the three individuals in vv 1-6 each display their sinfulness?

9. What do you learn about God from his dealings with Hagar?