This past Sunday's lesson was titled Extreme Obedience. Take time to continue studying, considering and applying the lesson through the following questions and Scripture passages.
Read and review Genesis 22. What observations do you make from this passage?
Put yourself in Abraham’s position, how would you have responded to such a test of faith and obedience?
Often we forget about Sarah. How do you think she would have responded to her husband’s belief in God and desire to obey God?
Do you find your life to be a life of obedience to God? Why or why not?
Do you ever find yourself trying really hard to obey God?
Explain what Charles Spurgeon meant when he once stated that…
Faith is the morning star to obedience.
Let’s imagine what Abraham’s day to day life must have been like. How do you think Abraham got to the point to where he was able to believe God so deeply that he was willing to sacrifice his son (see Hebrews 11:17-19)? Was his ability to believe an immediate change in his life? Did his ability to believe grow over time? Did his ability to believe grow through individual choices made? What are your thoughts?
Obedience without belief in God’s promises leads to rebellion. Why is this the so?
Do you think there is ever a time when obedience is required without the foundation of belief or faith in what God is doing?
Based upon your obedience to God, is your faith dead? See James 2:26.
Take time to read and consider the following passages. What do these passages tell us about Abraham?
Romans 4
Acts 7:2-8
Galatians 3
Hebrews 6:13-15
Hebrews 11:8-19
James 2:20-24
The true test of our faith is when obedience is required in a difficult situation. Can you recall any times in your life when you found it difficult to obey because of difficult circumstances? Maybe you’re in a difficult circumstance even now?
What, in your life, is challenging your obedience to God? What do you need to surrender to God?
Total obedience is not only measured by what you surrender to God; God also takes into account what you keep for yourself. Can God get close to the most important things in your life: your possessions, business, plans and dreams, and relationships? Sometimes the supreme test of your faith will be a matter of putting obedience to God above something you have lived for all of our lives. Sometimes it will involve something that might, to everyone else, seem foolish and ridiculous. Are you willing to be obedient to God in every area of your life?
What are some ways you can begin learning to believe God more? Give specific examples you can put into action this week.
