Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
Ice-Breaker:
What are you most excited or nervous about heading into Commitment Sunday this weekend?
Discussion Questions:
- In Genesis 22, we see Abraham facing his most difficult test yet. God asks him to sacrifice his son... the child of promise, the one they had waited so long for, the greatest miracle of their lives. Abraham, full of faith in God, was obedient. And the true test of his obedience wasn't on the first day. It happened on the third day of his journey up the mountain when things started to get real. Maybe you've found yourself in this place before. Or maybe you're there now! Maybe God has asked you to break off a bad relationship to honor Him. Maybe He called you to a ministry, but you have not followed through because you weren't seeing the fruit. Maybe God led you to make a financial sacrifice but you weren't willing to stay obedient when things got difficult. Do any of these resonate with you?
- In verse 5, we see that Abraham is already convinced they were both coming back... he says that "we" will be coming back. He was reminding himself of God’s promises. He was so certain of God's faithfulness that, even though he didn't see a way out yet, he was choosing to believe God would come through. Is there a situation in your life right now that you could apply this same faith-filled mindset? Where do you need to look past the bleakness of your reality and trust in the faithfulness of God?
- In verse 10, Abraham raises the knife to sacrifice his son. How could God do this? It's important that we understand that this was not a command to murder Isaac. No, it's something much deeper. The offering of the first born symbolized the debt that man owed to God. In the Hebrew sacrificial system, God's people would offer the first born cattle or sheep. Passover celebrated the time the first born of Egypt were taken from homes without the lamb's blood over the door post. We can assume Abraham knew what God was asking of him. His faith was put to the test. He proved that he would not even withhold his son from God. What in your life has God asked you to lay on the altar, but you have been unwilling to surrender it?
- When God came through with the ram, Abraham names that place "the Lord will provide." This is the point of the story... not that Abraham obeyed, but that God provided. This is all about God's commitment to Abraham. Talk about some times in your life when you were obedient and God came through for you.
- Clayton finished with a challenging question: Is your ALL on the altar? Our confidence in God is often the most tested in the area of our finances. How does your giving reflect your confidence in God? What has God been saying to you since Clayton walked us through the commitment card? What is God asking of YOU?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would learn to trust God even when we don't see Him moving.
- That we would not withhold anything from the altar.
- That we would be obedient because we know God is faithful.
- That we would engage with God on our ProjectONE Commitment.
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