Introductory thought: God always sees something greater in us than what we see in ourselves.
Question 1: Read Genesis 12:1-10. Abram had no inclination of God speaking to him on that particular day, and God told him to go. Pastor Josh explained that the understanding of the word, go, is to leave all you know, that is, leave familiar surroundings. Abram left all he knew to go where God was calling him. Consider and discuss examples of leaving what is familiar to obey God’s leading. Have you experienced this? If comfortable, share about it.
Question 2: Pastor Josh said that God is always at work in our lives, taking us from something to another. He leads us from the familiar to go to some place foreign. Where has God called you from/to? If easier, fill in the blanks of the following two sentences:
(1) God has called me from ___________ to go to ___________.
(2) God is calling me from ___________ to go to ___________.
Question 3: Pastor Josh encouraged us by saying, “God always sees something greater in us than what we see in ourselves.” He emphasized from verse 2, “You, Abram, I will make into a great nation.” He spoke prophetically over us, saying, “You, _<fill in your name here>_, [God] will make into a great nation.” This isn’t a question per se; place your name in the sentence and speak it out loud. You, ____________, God will make into a great nation!
Question 4: Pastor Josh talked about what makes a nation. Through research he found that a nation is a stable community of people formed on a common base in a common culture. A nation is also said to be a group of people with strong bonds. In 1943, a nation was defined as having natural resources and having character of people. When God is calling you to be a great nation, He is refining your character and developing a culture of dependency on Him. In recent weeks how has God refined your character? How have you grown in your dependency on God?
Question 5: Pastor Josh mentioned Abram’s misstep of directing his wife to tell authorities that she was his sister. This mishap exhibited Abram’s doubt about God’s workings. When we have gone too far in our own way, God will let us know where we need to go back to and return to Him. Where is obedience botched in your life? Don’t discredit your walk with God. God acknowledges our missteps, but still He calls us and makes good on His promises.
Question 6: Pastor Josh gave us several questions to ponder. Share your responses as you are comfortable doing. (1) Where does God have you? (2) Is His voice fresh to you on this journey? (3) Is life clear or ambiguous? (4) Have you discredited yourself due to your disobedience?
Wrap-Up Thoughts: The way we walk now has a massive ripple effect. Remember His promises.