Sure Promises
Genesis 15:1-21
I. Promise of an Heir (vs. Genesis 15:1-6)
a. What is the nature of God’s promise to Abram in verse 1?
b. What promise had God already made to Abram (Gen 12:7) that had still not been fulfilled?
c. Who brings this up in verses 2-3?
d. How does God respond to Abram’s perception that his heir would have to be someone (not his own) just born in his house?
e. Does the Lord make it clear to Abram that he would father a son through whom God would multiply into a great nation?
d. Does Abram believe God?
How does God view Abram’s belief? (see also Romans 4)
Is our faith (believing God) viewed the same way?
II. God Confirms His Promise to Abram (Genesis 15:7-12)
a. Why would God remind Abram that it was He who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give him this land?
b. With what characteristic of Abram revealed in verse 8 can even faithful people today wrestle?
c. By what action / process does the Lord confirm His promise to Abram?
d. What do the Scriptures relate about Abram’s experience?
*Note: the “deep sleep” (Heb) tar-day-maw’ = a trance. The same word describes the “deep sleep” of Adam when God took a rib to build Eve. (Gen 2:21).
e. In this covenant ceremony is Abram a participant or observer?
III. Prophecy (Genesis 15:13-21)
a. How specific is God in describing the future of Abram’s descendants?
b. Was it going to be up to his descendants to accomplish this?
Application:
Are there promises from God that apply to you?
Why does God honor His promises when we can never merit them?
