Genesis 12-13 Discussion Guide
Sermon date: Mar. 19, 2023 Passage: Genesis 12-13
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Here are a few things your group needs to know!
Easter Baptism Zoom Classes
Do you have questions about baptism? Have you been baptized? Do you wonder if you should be baptized again?
We are offering a baptism Zoom class to talk about what baptism is, why it matters, and how we do it here at CLB to prepare us for our Easter Sunday Baptism Celebration April 9, 2023!
We will have the same class offered:
-Sunday, Mar. 26th, 2023 from 1:00pm-1:30pm
-Sunday, April 2nd, 2023 from 1:00pm-1:30pm
Register at clb.church under “Upcoming”
*Choose which class you want to register for, and then you will receive a Zoom link for the class!
Student Ministry Video Game Outing
Sunday, March 19th
CLB Offices
Middle School Students! Join us as we all hangout at our office with pizza and video games on Sunday, March 19th!
This will be a time where we get together and enjoy community and fun! Students are encouraged to bring their friends along with any video games, consoles and TV's!
Register at clb.church under “Upcoming”
Student Ministry Retreat
April 14th-15th at Camp Carol Joy Holling (Hotel Theodore)
Students! Join us for our VERY FIRST Student Spring Retreat! Come and enjoy a weekend of worship, games, food and fun! Our speaker Ben Phillips from Dare2Share Ministries will talk on the topic: “Full Send - going all in for Jesus!”
Cost is $60 per student and that will cover food (dinner Friday night, breakfast Saturday morning and lunch Saturday) and lodging.
Students who bring friends will be entered into a raffle first night of retreat! Retreat will be at Camp Carol Joy Holling at The Hotel Theodore.
Register at clb.church under “Upcoming”
Good Friday Seek Night
April 7, 6:30-8:30pm @ Westview High School Auditorium
Join us for our next Seek Night, a night where we will worship the Lord in song and seek to be ministered by the Holy Spirit through prayer, testimony, and spiritual gifts. We will take time to remember the goodness of Good Friday as we prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday morning.
Join us early for coffee and cookies! Childcare will not be provided.
WHAT IS THIS FOR? WHERE ARE WE GOING TOGETHER?
Remind your group that City Groups exist to…
Apply God’s Word to our everyday lives through the power of the Holy Spirit
Multiply faithful disciples who make more disciples of Jesus Christ
PRAY
Ask if anyone would like to open up in prayer and ask God to bless your time together
STORY
Break the ice with a testimony..
Someone shares their salvation story
Or someone shares a celebration of God’s goodness in the past week
VISION FOR THIS DISCUSSION
Some time has passed after the rebellion and scattering at Babel. The line of Noah has continued, and we end up in Genesis 12 looking at one of his descendants—Abram. We see God make a very important and very revealing covenant that will forever change the outcome of humanity’s story—including ours.
We will see how God uses a flawed man and a personal promise to highlight His own faithfulness and unfailing love. God shows His beautiful heart and that He gives blessings that are meant to bless others. God shows His love and favor is for all who would trust Him and His promises.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PASSAGE
Read Genesis 12-13 aloud as a group. What are some initial observations that caught your attention as we begin the story of Abram?
So far, we’ve already seen Abram leave his homeland and all his relatives. Then we see his time in Egypt with his wife and Pharaoh, and then after Egypt with his nephew Lot. What do you say about Abram’s character so far? What do you say about his nephew Lot’s character so far?
We’ve seen God speak to Abram and make a big covenant/promise with a very flawed man in order to bless other flawed people through him. What does God specifically promise in this covenant with Abram? What do you say about God’s character in all of this?
QUESTIONS FOR APPLICATION
1. Head
To make this more personal and practical, we want to turn the question to ourselves. God blesses Abram in order to be a blessing. Are there any ways you think God has blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others?
(ex: finances to give more and give cheerfully, larger house to be hospitable, hobbies/jobs/personalities/skills to reach more people with the hope of Jesus)
2. Heart
When God speaks to Abram, Abram immediately does as He says. He trusts God and takes Him at His Word when God makes a promise. However, it’s not always easy to trust God in life. Are you struggling to trust Him in anything currently? What promises from God does your heart need to believe right now?
3. Hands
Is there anything you can incorporate in your life rhythms to help foster more trust in God?
(ex: having more consistent/longer quiet times with Him in His Word or in prayer, joining a Huddle to have more accountability and encouragement in your life, etc.)
-What are the next steps God is calling you to take in order bless others with the current blessings He’s given you?
PRAYER
Collect and pray over any group requests
OR
Pray ‘TACOS’
Thanksgiving - “Father, thank you…”
Adoration - “Father, you are…”
Confession - “Father, I confess…”
Others - “Father, I pray for…”
Self - “Father, please help me…”
*If size or group dynamics seem to hinder prayer, consider dividing into groups of men/women or groups of 3-4 to reduce barriers to praying out loud
DON’T FORGET
Re-confirm schedule
Sign up for Baptism Zoom Classes!
Plan serving opportunity and put it in everyone’s calendar
We need Citylight Kids volunteers! Email Trish at trish@citylightbennington.church to volunteer today!