The Untouchables Growth Group Questions Genesis 22: 1-19

The Untouchables Growth Group Questions Genesis 22: 1-19 INTRODUCTION From the time we were young, we heard the words “DO NOT TOUCH.” Some things were kept out of our reach for a reason. Today, we often use the same words with God. There are parts of our lives we just don’t want God to touch. Perhaps, more accurately, we want God in certain areas of our lives only on our terms and conditions; to meet our needs, goals, or objectives; to fit our purposes. Let’s take a look at one of those areas of THE UNTOUCHABLES, things we keep from God’s reach … our kids! WARM IT UP 1. What is one of your favorite memories of growing up? While growing up do you remember a time when you HAD to have something or do something? 2. How do we as a culture view children? In what ways might kids be “used” by adults in our culture for our own approval, status, power, significance, or security? TALK IT OVER 3. Read Genesis 22:1-19. What is most striking to you about this passage? What do you think God’s call is on Abrahams’ life? What is the promise(s) given by God to Abraham in this passage? 4. Now read Genesis 12: 1-9. Compare the command and promise of this passage to Genesis 22. What similarities and differences do you notice? 5. As a group discuss the commands and promises that that you know God has given us throughout the scriptures. Which commands and promises are most significant to you? 6. Read Hebrews 11: 17-19. God did not ask Abraham to murder his son, He asked him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. What do you think the real issue is of God’s test of Abraham? (Hint: think command and promise). Does Abraham pass the “test?” 7. Re-read Gen. 22:14 and compare it with what Paul writes in Romans 8:31-32. How does this help us understand the Abraham and Isaac story? WORK IT OUT 8. Abraham was called by God in Genesis 12. That call was rooted in promise. Abraham obeyed. What is God’s call on your life? Abraham is called again by God (Genesis 22) and reminded of God’s promise. How does God’s continual call in our lives impact our growth as believers? 9. Now work backwards. Read Genesis 11: 31-32. The passage seems to infer that the call of God was on Terah, Abraham’s father. Terah “settled” in Haran. What is the impact on our kids (or any of our family and friends) if we “settle” and ignore the call of God?

10. If God commands that every source of our finite significance and security be offered up to him and yet promises to provide for our every need how do you think this looks in everyday life? PRAY IT THROUGH Spend some time praising God for how he has provided through out your life. Now confess those things in your life that you are still hanging on to that you think will give you status, security, significance, etc. – those things you think you cannot live without! Now spend some time meditating on the truth that God himself offered up His Son!