INTRODUCTION
Three of the most influential world religions trace their lineage through one man. And yet throughout the centuries these three ideologies have been in conflict with one another. In this session we will examine what the Bible records about this key religious figure and discuss his legacy amongst Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What have you heard about Abraham, the man whom Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad identify as the father of their movements?
- Read Genesis 12:1-5. How has God fulfilled the promise he made to Abraham?
- Read Genesis 15:1-6. Looking around at his circumstances, Abraham found it difficult to imagine how God was going to fulfill his promise, yet he still believed that God would do as he said. Can you identify with Abraham? How so?
- Read Romans 4:1-5. Paul looks back to Abraham as the prime example of how faith in God is the key to a right relationship with God, not the good things that you do. However, Judaism and Islam both see good works as the key to righteousness. What difference does this make?
- Read Genesis 16. What were the consequences of the actions of Abraham and Sarah (both the immediate and the enduring consequences)?
- Read Genesis 21:1-21. Despite all that happened, God was still faithful to his promise and gracious in his provision for Hagar and Ishmael. What do you learn about the God of Abraham as you see the story unfolding?
THINK ABOUT IT
Read Isaiah 42:6-8. The descendants of Abraham through Isaac, the Jews, were God's chosen people through whom he would fulfill his promise-that they would be a blessing to the nations. Jesus ultimately became the fulfillment of this, a Jew who gave his life to take away the sins of the world. How has your life been blessed through this promise made to Abraham?
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
How can you, today, continue to be a part of the blessing that God has unleashed upon the world through Abraham?
CHANGING YOUR MIND
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6