Lesson 1
Read: Genesis 12:1-9, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:3, 18; 2:6-7, Hebrews 11:8-10, 15-16 - www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.12
Abram:
- Faith – strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.
- Fearlessness – bold or brave
- Flexibility – willingness to change or compromise

Abram was chosen by God to play a key role in God’s redemptive plan for His world. After Adam and Eve chose to go their own way instead of God’s way, the world was marred by sin, and the close love relationship between people and God was broken. Abram was the Father of God’s Chosen People, the family into which our Redeemer Jesus Christ would be born 2,000 years later. Abram needed the characteristics of faith, fearlessness and flexibility to leave his home, country and family, following the Lord to a new, unknown land.

This is God’s first promise to Abram: “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

So 75-year-old Abram left his homeland, which shows great flexibility, especially for a person his age. His wife Sarai and his nephew Lot (whose father had died) left with him, plus some servants and all their possessions. I always wondered how Sarai felt about this move! Did she share her husband’s positive traits of faith, fearlessness and flexibility?

They arrived safely in the land of Canaan, which was occupied by people who served other gods. At Shechem and the Oak of Moreh, God appeared to Abram and promised to give this land to his descendants. Abram responded with faith, building an altar right where God had appeared to him and worshiping God. Faith and fear cannot exist at the same time in a person’s heart, and Abram fearlessly chose to trust God.

Then they moved on to the hill country between Bethel and Ai, where Abram built another altar and prayed to God in faith, trusting the Lord with his future and his loved ones. They continued traveling steadily, south to the Negev.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*What did Abram leave behind in faith to follow God?
*Which promise of God’s do you need today to continue to walk fearlessly in obedience to Him?
*What did Abram gain because of his faithful flexibility?
*How can you continue to walk with God in faith, fearlessly and with flexibility?
*What choices did you make last week that were pleasing to God?