Genesis 22 Discussion Guide
Sermon Date: May 21, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Here are important events that you should be aware of and praying over:
SEEK Night -Thursday, June 1st @ Westview High School 6:30pm
TELL YOUR STORY - We’re collecting stories! Visit clb.church/story to learn more
WHY CITY GROUPS?
The point of a City Group is to help us apply God’s Word to our everyday lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, and to multiply faithful disciples of Jesus who make more disciples of Jesus. So we gather regularly to give ourselves to three basic Christian practices: sharing stories, reading the Bible, and praying.
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..
Who has prepared their 5-7 minute story?
Who can give testimony of God’s goodness right now? (i.e. answered prayer, provision, transformation, etc.)
VISION FOR THIS DISCUSSION
Isaac is miraculously born and finally fulfills God’s promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Isaac has grown up into a young man, and now God is telling Abraham to sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Abraham’s response shows us what true faith looks like when we are in the midst of the difficult unknown.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PASSAGE
Read Genesis 22 aloud as a group. What are some initial observations that caught your attention?
Verse 5 is first time the word “worship” is used in the Bible. What does this passage show us about what worship is? What is the heart of worship?
When Abraham is called to sacrifice Isaac, how does he respond? What does this say about Abraham’s faith?
APPLICATION
This passage shows us how God tests faith. We see in James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
God lets us go through tests for our good, so that we may be “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” He wants our faith to become stronger. In what ways do you think God is testing your faith currently?
What do you think He is trying to teach you through this test? How do you see yourself becoming more like Jesus through it?
In the end, God spares Isaac and provides a ram instead. This is the first time we see God being called Yahweh Yireh meaning “God provides”.
What are you trusting God to provide for you? Does it ever feel difficult to trust Him? What seems to make it most difficult to trust Him?
Abraham models that faith is more than just a feeling, but it’s also not striving. Abraham simply does what God tells Him. What is the next right step God is calling you to take to show Him that you trust Him? Is there anything God wants you to “sacrifice” or offer up to Him? Anything you’re holding onto and not trusting Him with?
PRAYER
Feel free to ask the group for any pressing prayer requests that would be good to pray over together.
Use the TACOS acronym to let the text you studied pray for you:
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.