God promised to bless Abraham so that Abraham would be a blessing to the world. But this blessing was not always what Abraham wanted or expected, yet God has blessed us all through Abraham. We also continue to receive blessings to share, and like Abraham we might find those blessings very unexpectedly.
Worship this weekend:
Saturday — 5:00 p.m. in the chapel
Sunday — 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. — Sunday School
10:30 a.m — Contemporary Worship
September 13-14, 2014
Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.
Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
God of blessing, you promised Abraham many things that seemed unlikely. Yet you remained faithful to every single promise. Give us hope that you will remain faithful to us, even when we are tempted to lose hope, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Reflect:Reflect on the key verse from Sunday’s reading.
I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:2
Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
God promised Abraham land. Abraham was a nomad, a wanderer in the desert with few possessions. Land would have been an unlikely blessing. But throughout his life he continued to encounter kings and others who feared Abraham’s God and gave him possessions and land to keep Abraham’s God from punishing them.
God promised Abraham descendants. Although he and his wife, Sarah, were old, and Sarah was barren, God gave them a baby, Isaac. Through Isaac, a great nation was born. Nothing is too great for God to accomplish.
God promised to bless Abraham so that Abraham would be a blessing to the world. Indeed, through Abraham’s descendants King David, and then Jesus Christ came to this world. The whole world has been blessed through Abraham, as we continue to receive those blessings even today.
Read:Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.
Follow the genealogy from Abraham to Joseph. See how God’s covenant with Abraham continued throughout the generations.
Sunday, Genesis 12:1-9, Call of Abraham
Monday, Genesis 15:1-6, God’s Covenant with Abram
Tuesday, Genesis 21:1-7, The Birth of Isaac
Wednesday, Genesis 25:19-28, The Birth of Esau and Jacob
Thursday, Genesis 35:16-26, The Birth of Benjamin and Death of Rachel
Friday, Genesis 37:1-11, Joseph Dreams of Greatness
Saturday, Genesis 37:12-36, Joseph is Sold by His Brothers
How did God use each of the men and women in these stories to carry out God’s covenant with Abraham and with humankind?
Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”
- What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
- How is God’s covenant with Abraham fulfilled today? If all humankind is now in covenant with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, then how shall we treat one another? Where are you accepting of others? Where are you intolerant?
- How has God blessed you? What are you grateful for? Practicing gratitude is a holy practice. Do it often this week.
Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.
God’s blessings and promises are as numerous as the stars. Go outside at night and count the stars. Take notice of God’s blessings in your life throughout the week.
Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.
God who blesses others through us, through your word inspire us to live lives trusting in your promise. Amen.
