Learning to Trust the Promise
Scripture Focus
Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.” When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. And when the princes of Pharaoh saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. And for her sake he dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.
(Genesis 12:10-20)
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And 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 12:1-3)
Deception In Egypt:
When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake.”
(Genesis 12:11-13)
Taking Control (Sarai & Hagar)
Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
(Genesis 16:1-2)
Repeating Deception:
From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man's wife.”
(Genesis 20:1-2)
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless… you have given me no offspring…
(Genesis 12:1-2)
And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: … “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
(Genesis 12:4-6)
He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
(Genesis 12:9-11)
Covenant Making: (Suzerain-Vassal Covenant)
- A covenant begins when two parties come to an agreement that defines how their relationship will function going forward.
- Each party commits to specific responsibilities, with the future of the agreement depending on mutual faithfulness.
- To seal the covenant, animals were cut in half and the parties walked between the pieces, symbolically declaring that the same fate should fall on anyone who broke the covenant.
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land
(Genesis 12:17-18)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us
(Galatians 3:13)
Discussion Questions for Home Groups:
Have the group read Gen. 12:10-20
- Why is Abram’s life a story of patience?
Read Gen. 12:11-13
- What was Abram’s sin (Lie)
- Why did he do this? (fear)
- What does II Tim. 1:7 say about this?
Read Gen. 16:1-2
- What was Abram’s sin? (lack of trust in God)
- Why did he do this?
- What does II Corin. 5:7 say about this?
Read Gen. 20:1-3
- What do you notice about this sin? (repeated)
- What are times in our life when we are tempted to lie, be afraid or not trust God?
- Where has waiting on God begun to feel frustrating for you?
- How has that frustration shaped the ways you respond to the Lord? Have you started taking matters into your own hands?
- God has told us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. We are not meant to take on the worries of the world but lay them at his feet and only do what he has called us to do. How do our trust issues with the Lord manifest in our lives?
This week
Men’s Basketball
Looking to play basketball and connect with other guys? Join us in the gym!
🗓️ Sunday, February 15 - 🕖 7PM - 📍 Gym (Building 2)
Family LEGO Grand Prix
Bring your best LEGO skills and take on exciting building challenges together. Whether you’re a master builder or just love to create, this is all about fun, laughter, and a little friendly competition! Learn more & register.
🗓️ Friday, February 20 - 🕖 6-8PM - 📍 Coffee shop (Building 2)
Single Vision Potluck & Game Night
All singles (50+) are invited to join us for this time of fellowship. Please bring a dish to share. See you there!
🗓️ Friday, February 20 - 🕖 7-9PM - 📍 Fellowship Center (Main Building)
Global Outreach
You're invited to partner in a powerful way! Every third Saturday of the month, the Global Outreach Board gathers to pray over our Global Partners—and we would love for you to join us.
🗓️ Saturday, February 21 - 🕖 8-9AM - 📍 Conference Room (Main Building)
Annual Meeting
All members and attenders are invited to join us for our Annual Member Meeting, a meaningful afternoon of reflection and vision. We’ll celebrate what God has done this past year through powerful testimonies, share financial report, and look ahead to our vision and priorities for the coming year. We’ll enjoy dessert and Fellowship, because good conversations are better with something sweet! Learn More.
🗓️ Sunday, February 22 - 🕖 3:00-5:00PM - 📍 Sanctuary (Main Building)
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/whats-happening-at-lcc for the complete list of upcoming groups, classes, and events.
eNews
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/enews to sign up for LCC's weekly eNews. Get special announcements and messages from our pastors and Leadership Team, updates and emergency notices, and a first look at what’s upcoming.