Lesson 3
Read: Genesis 15; Romans 4:1-5, 17-21; James 2:17-24 - www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.15
Abram:
- Faith.
- Optimism – hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.

God appeared to Abram one night and said, “Don’t be afraid; I am your shield, and your reward will be great.”

Abram replied, “But Lord, You haven’t given me any children. My servant is going to inherit everything I have.”

God assured Abram his servant wouldn’t be his heir, but his own son would be his heir.
He took Abram outside and said, “Look up. Can you count the stars? This is how many descendants you will have, Abram! I am going to give you a big family!”

Abram again showed faith, and believed God. God counted his belief as righteousness.

God knew even Abram, a man of faith and optimism, needed some reassurance, so he told him to bring a heifer, a goat and a ram, a dove and a young pigeon. Abram split the animals down the middle, but not the birds. A deep sleep overcame Abram.

As Abram slept, God told him his descendants would be enslaved for 400 years, but then they would escape with much wealth and return to the Promised Land. Abram, with his gift of optimism, focused on God’s Promised Land, not the 400 years of slavery his descendants would suffer.

God sent fire to move between the split carcasses and made a covenant promise to Abram: “I’m giving this land to your children, from the Nile River in Egypt to the River Euphrates in Assyria.”

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*How do you need God to be your shield and reward?
*How will you show today that you are a believer in Christ?
*Can you think of something you can do today to demonstrate your faith by obeying God’s Word?
*How did God shield you or reward you when you trusted Him this past week?