Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 42

Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the Psalm as a group

1  As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God.

2  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?

3  My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me continually, “Where is your God?”

4  These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

5  Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my savior and my God.

6  My soul is cast down within me, therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

7  Deep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts; all your waves and your billows have gone over me.

8  By day the LORD commands his steadfast love; and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

9  I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

10  As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, “Where is your God?”

11  Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Abram Leaves Home

Genesis 12

1.       How does God’s first word to Abram inform the life of a Patriarch? How does it relate to Genesis 2:24? How do God’s promises to Abram correspond to a man’s hopes for his life?

2.       How does God designate Abram’s destination? What does a Patriarch need to advance toward an uncertain future? How does a Patriarch prepare offspring to succeed in the face of an uncertain future?

3.       God’s promises to Abram invoke the word “bless” at least five times in two verses. What is blessing? How does a Patriarch experience blessing inwardly and outwardly? How does a Patriarch receive blessing? How does a Patriarch bestow blessing?

4.       Compare Noah and Abram’s responses to God’s direction. How prompt is your obedience to God’s voice? How prompt do you desire your offspring’s obedience to your voice?

5.       Noah builds an altar. Abram builds an altar. How do you build or designate sacred space? How are you training your children to sanctify space?

6.       How does Abram conspire with Sarai, and profit from Pharaoh? How does the Lord respond to this violation of marriage? What does this teach a Patriarch about the priorities of profit, politics, and marriage? How are you handing on those priorities to your children?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will consider in what area of life the Lord is prompting me to “GO,” and I will take a step in that direction. 
2.    I will spend 15 minutes giving thanks for the ways God has already seen me through uncertainty in my past (choice of studies, engagement, marriage, child-rearing, job searches, crises, promotions, moves, etc.).
3.    I will begin to train one child in a step or skill that s/he hasn’t learned yet.
4.    I will attend adoration and ask God for blessing in the critical areas of my life.
5.    I will bestow vocal blessing upon my wife and upon my children.
6.    I will construct a sacred space in my house or yard.
7.    I will gather my family to pray a blessing and sprinkle holy water around the house.
8.    I will invest in my marriage by coming home on time every day with a readiness to serve and spoil my wife.
9.    I will plan a surprise date for my wife this week.

Previous Resolutions - Genesis 8-9

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.