Study together · The Cast

Abraham

An old man who left everything on a promise and was counted righteous for believing it.

The story

1. The call Gen 12:1-4

   At seventy-five he leaves Haran on nothing but God's word. He does not know where he is going.

2. Lies in Egypt Gen 12:10-20

   Famine drives him to Egypt. Afraid for his life, he says Sarai is his sister, and Pharaoh takes her into his house.

3. Counted righteous Gen 15:1-6

   Old and childless, he looks up at the stars and believes God's promise. God counts it to him as righteousness.

4. The Hagar shortcut Gen 16:1-6

   He agrees to Sarai's plan to get an heir through her servant Hagar. It brings rivalry and pain into the household.

5. Mount Moriah Gen 22:1-14

   God tells him to offer Isaac. He goes, reasoning that God could raise the dead (Heb 11:19), and God provides a ram instead.

6. A grave in the promised land Gen 23; 25:7-10

   He dies at 175. The only land he owns is a burial cave. He died in faith, still waiting (Heb 11:13).

Key verses

“And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 (ESV)

Read together: Gen 12:1-4 · Gen 12:10-20 · Gen 15:1-6 · Gen 16:1-6 · Gen 22:1-14 · Gen 23; 25:7-10

Questions to sit with

1. Abraham was counted righteous for believing, not for performing. Where are you still trying to earn what God has promised to give?
2. His shortcut with Hagar came from a long wait. What waiting in your life tempts you to make your own plan?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.