Sunday School Lesson November 14, 2021

Subject: Confidence After We Fail

The Point: Trust God to redeem your failures.

The Passages: Genesis 16:1-5, 17:1-9

Study The Bible: Genesis 16:1-5

1). Don’t take matters into your own hands.

1. Abram’s wife, Sarai, had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar.
2. Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said.
3. So Abram’s wife, Sarai took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband, Abram, as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years.
4. He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her.
5. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the Lord judge between me and you.”

Lasting truths from: Genesis 16:1-5

* Sometimes life presents circumstance that make it difficult to trust God.

* We should avoid going outside God’s will as a solution to our problem.

* Taking matters into our own hands can bring trouble.

2). Do what God expects of you.

Genesis 17:1-3

1. When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless.
2. I will set up my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.”
3. Then Abram fell facedown and God spoke with him.

Lasting truth from: Genesis 17:1-3

* God is sufficient to meet all our needs.

*  God wants us to continually acknowledge His presence.

*  God calls believers in Him to live consistent lives before a watching world.

3). God seeks a covenant relationship with us.

Genesis 17:4-9

4. “As for me, here is my covenant with you: You will become the father of many nations.
5. Your name will no longer be Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I will make you the father of many nations.
6. I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you.
7. I will confirm my covenant that is between me and you and your future offspring throughout their generations. It is a permanent covenant to be your God and the God of your offspring after you.
8. And to you and your future offspring I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as a permanent possession, and I will be their God.”
9. God also said to Abraham, “As for you , you and your offspring after you throughout their generations are to keep my covenant.

Lasting truth from: Genesis 17:4-9

* God wants to do more in our lives than we can imagine.

*  God’s covenant with His people lasts forever.

* God’s covenant with His people includes a personal relationship with Him.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:

1. Reflect on when you have taken matters into your own hands and failed. How did you feel, and what did you learn?
2. God calls believers today to live in His presence and be blameless, as He did with Abram (Gen. 17:1) What ‘s the key to living a blameless life?
3. What aspect of God’s covenant with His people means the most to you? Why?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”