Learn + Apply

1. God Stretches Our Faith

• What do you think it means that God tested Abraham ?

• What kind of attitude should we have when God puts our faith to the test?

• What do you think God hopes to accomplish by testing us? • Why do you think God chose to test Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his son?

1. God Stretches Our Faith

• What kind of things might God ask us to “sacrifice” today?

• Which statement is correct? “God calls us to sacrifice so we can qualify to be His children” or “God calls us to sacrifice because we are His children.” • Describe what you think Abraham must have been thinking and feeling.

2. Faith Takes Us Beyond Our Comfort Zones

• Why is it significant that Abraham used the term worship when speaking of the coming sacrifice of Isaac? How is sacrifice a part of worship?

• Give your thoughts on the following statement: “Sacrifice accompanies worship—we must do away with that which is worthless so attention is drawn to the One who is worthy.”

• How can sacrifice be part of our modern worship services?

2. Faith Takes Us Beyond Our Comfort Zones

• Abraham told the servants that he and the boy would return after worship. What does that tell us about Abraham’s faith in God?

• Do you get the impression that Isaac thought he was the sacrifice? Explain. Based on these verses, does it seem that Abraham and Isaac worshiped together often?

2. Faith Takes Us Beyond Our Comfort Zones

• When do you think Isaac became aware of the plan? Based on the impression of the text, was Isaac willing, or did he fight against the plan?

• How would you have responded if you were Isaac?

3. God Will Provide What We Need to Do His Will

• How do verses 11-12 show us that God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?

• What did Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac prove to God?

• What can we do to prove that we trust God and have great reverence for Him?

3. God Will Provide What We Need to Do His Will

• What important truth can we take away from verses 8, 13-14? How did God fulfill this promise in Christ?

• What does this truth then imply?

• Why do you think God is most honored by obedience, not by sacrifice?

• Other than religious form, what else do we mean by “sacrifice”?

• Is it possible to obey God without denying our sin and self? Explain.