Connect What makes you excited or apprehensive, as we come to explore the book of Genesis?

Warm-Up

1. When the future is uncertain, what are you most likely to do: wait, worry, plan harder, ask for help, or take control? Why?

Read Genesis 26:1-11

2. What difficulty does Isaac face, and what does God tell him to do? Why might that be difficult?

3. What promises does God make to Isaac? What are the key features?

4. How do the promises compare with those made to Abraham? (Hint: read Gen 12:1-3; 17:1-8, 22:15-18)

5. How are trusting Godʼs promise and obeying God connected?

6. What does Isaac fear about the people of Gerar? How might his actions be a threat to Godʼs promises?

7. How do you respond when youʼre afraid?

8. How does God respond to Isaacʼs fear? How does Godʼs faithfulness encourage you as you face your “fearful” reactions?

Read Genesis 26:12-33

9. What visible evidence of Godʼs blessing does Isaac receive? How does this fulfil (in part) what God had promised to Isaac?

10. How does Abimelek respond to how God materially blesses Isaac? How does this incident inform how we can expect opposition?

11. How does Isaac respond to each “well” conflict? Why does he give credit to God when there is “room”?

12. What does God reaffirm to Isaac in v.24? Why might "I am with you" be better than an explanation?

13. How does Isaac respond to Godʼs reaffirmation? Which of the three responses encourages you most?

14. What exactly did Abimelek and his men "see clearly"? Why is this significant from these men?

15. Why might Isaac need to hold onto Godʼs promises, his blessing, and his presence?

16. Why do we need to hold onto Godʼs promises, his blessing, and his presence?

17. How ultimately are all the peoples on earth blessed through Abraham and Isaacʼs family?

Apply Knowing Godʼs unchanging promise, presence, and purpose in Christ - what is one specific step you will take this week, and how can the group support you in taking it?

Pray Faithful Father, help us trust your promise, rest in the presence of Jesus, and take the next faithful step so that others may see your grace. Amen.

On Your Frontline this Week Who do you long to come to know Jesus?

Pray for their heart to be open and for opportunities to share the good news of Jesus.

For Families • Download : some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read • Listen (sermon): “Genesis 26:1-33 - Trusting God or Fearing Man” by William Taylor: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/9517/audio/ • Listen (sermon): “Like Father Like Son” by J. Ligon Duncan: https://bit.ly/46XIRiy • Listen (sermon): “Learning Who to Fear” by James Fletcher: https://stebbes.org/sermons/learning-whom-to-fear/#sermons • Listen (podcast): “Genesis 26 - Compromise, Controversy, and Covenant” by Proclaiming Christ: https://reformedforum.org/podcasts/pc83/ • Read (devotion): “Gen 26:1-5 - The Promise to Isaac, Part 1” by Ligonier. https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/promise-isaac • Read (devotion): “Gen 26:17-35 - The Promise to Isaac, Part 2” by Ligonier. https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/promise-isaac-part

Series Resources • Read : “Genesis” by Derek Kidner. 📚 • Read : “Genesis for Everyone: Part 2” by John Goldingay. 📚 • Read : “How to Read Genesis” by Tremper Longman III • Read : “Genesis: Story of God Bible Commentary” by Tremper Longman III • Watch : “Genesis 12-50” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-12-50 • Watch : “How should we read the Old Testament?” by Dan Paterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJtba-JyPVg 📚 Available to borrow from the St Bartʼs Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library