EMPOWERED Patience: Abraham waits

Genesis 17:1-8 | When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant (or promise) with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

Genesis 21:1-5 | The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. And Abraham named their son Isaac. Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

  • What promise did God make to Abraham?

  • Why did this promise seem impossible to Abraham and his wife Sarah?

  • How long did it take for God’s promise to happen in Abraham’s life?

  • There are many times that Abraham and Sarah doubt God’s promise or try to do things they’re own way. When do you have a hard time waiting?

  • Abraham eventually waits patiently for God’s promise. What does being patient look like?