Summary of passage: The Lord gave Sarah and Abraham a son whom Abraham names Isaac (which means he laughs). Isaac was circumcised at 8 days old. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Sarah said God has brought her laughter and everyone who hears about Isaac will laugh with her.
Questions:
7a) The Lord did for Sarah what He had promised at the very time God had promised.
b) Abraham in hope believed that God had the power to do what He had promised. He was strengthened in his faith and gave the glory to God.
c) Personal Question. My answer: “This week” I haven’t experienced any new spiritual awakening. However, I am trying to be more trusting and more faithful and maybe a spiritual awakening will occur. But if it doesn’t, I know at least I’m growing closer to God and that’s all that matters to me.
8 ) John 3:3-6: We must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of heaven. We must have the Holy Spirit indwelt to enter the kingdom of heaven (believe in God and Jesus as the Son). Isaac was born of a woman but because of the Spirit.
Romans 4:17-25: Abraham had hope and faith that Isaac would be born just like we have faith and believe Jesus died for our sins so we could be reborn.
James 1:18: He gave us birth through the word of truth. Because of God’s words Isaac was born and so are we–through faith in God’s words.
1 Peter 1:23-25: We have been born again through the living and enduring word of God which is imperishable (eternal) as Isaac was born.
In general, Isaac’s birth was a miracle of God and came about because of the faith and belief Abraham and Sarah had in God to do the impossible. The same is for us. We have faith and believe Jesus died on the cross for us so thus we are declared righteous and justified in God’s eyes.
Conclusions: Basically, believe in the God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit and you will be born again like Isaac was born because of Abraham and Sarah’s belief and God’s miracle.
I absolutely cringe every time I read “this week” in a question as if a change is supposed to miraculously happen inside of me and there’s something wrong with me if it doesn’t. Like I’ve stated before, I just can’t see the changes or “awakenings” God does in me. I’m too close to myself and too selfish and blind probably to realize it. But I know He is working. How? Couldn’t tell you. When? Definitely not “this week” in my view. Why? Cause He loves me. And that’s all I need to know.
Overall, didn’t like this lesson. We read the passage and immediately got sent to other parts of the Bible. I was kind of just hoping to hold Isaac the baby for a bit after all this build-up and anticipation and revel in God’s goodness and greatness instead of being distracted with how a real birth compares to a spiritual birth. Couldn’t that have waited?
I’d take a study any day of God’s greatness over my spiritual birth (granted, a symptom of God’s greatness but nothing when compared to Him). But that’s my opinion, of course.
End Note: One commentary I read on this passage compared the birth of Isaac with the birth of Jesus with some rich scripture references. Now THAT would have been a great question for this passage.
I so agree about the “this week” questions . I seldom see anything . My “revelations” tend to come at unexpected times.
Thank you for your blog.
Gail
SO often when I read your comments, I am immediately relieved and think, “Thank You, Lord, it’s not just me.” God bless you for the time and effort you put into the study of His word and sharing it with others. Your willingness to share leads me to believe you are not as selfish as you think.
We are “BORN AGAIN” by the will of Almighty God ! John 1:13
Yes, what kind of answer is 7c looking for? we just learned God didn’t speak to A or S for 13 years. And every week we can’t have a profound spiritual awakening. We can just have the solid confidence God is with us and holds us up and picks up our pieces when we fall down. Or how about, when it seems like God is busy, not listening or silent he is still giving our prayers, hopes and fears his full attention and is on top of my little crisis. Then maybe I just have to remember as repeat the truth and wait for the Holy Spirit to fill in all the gaps until my feelings kick in with what I keep repeating is true to my heart and mind praying I know you are faithful, God. 2Pet1:3-5 says we do have everything we need, already. I just want my feelings to submit.
I don’t understand why you don’t start your own Bible study. I don’t mean any disrespect, please do not misunderstand me. But I have come here out of curiosity as a BSF leader. It seems to me that you find a lot of fault with the lesson. (Of course, fault can & will be found anywhere). You clearly do not agree with the way BSF is structured and are not willing to follow their suggested guidelines. So why use them? If you are no willing to submit to the authority of the ‘rules’ of this long time institution, why not create your own instead of bashing them while at the same time using them?
I love your heart for the Lord and your desire to reach people. It’s clear you have a calling and a gift. I just have to question the integrity of how you are going about it. I have been a part of BSF for 15 years and know the desire of their heart is to spread the gospel. They have made more changes in the last 5 years than I ever thought I’d see. They are trying to reach the next generation and they do nothing without prayer. This is THEIR organization. We should all respect that no matter what our opinion is.
Thanks for listening.
Disagreeing does not directly correlate with disrespect as you imply.
I am entitled to my opinions. I call it like it is.
If you would have read further i.e. read more of my postings and not just come out of “curiosity”, you’d see the praise I lavish when I love the questions.
But I do voice my opinion when I see what I deem is a lack or something I don’t agree with.
That is who I am.
You can love me for that. Or you can hate me. Or you can judge me as you have.
But we both know who the final judge is and it is He who I answer to. Not you. Or any other naysayer who happens upon this site and judges me off of one post.
While I understand your point, K Barrs, I also see atozmoms. If BSF has been around (very successfully) for 15 or so years, they certainly know the benefit of critique. My guess is that most of the changes made in the last 5 yrs. were due to suggestions, comments, and, yes, even criticisms from members. I also have problems with week-to-week changes occurring in my faith walk as they usually seem farther apart than that.
BTW, I sincerely hope that BSF doesn’t consider it THEIR organization, but understands it exists and is held together only because it is Christ’s.
Yeah! I loved your response.I too wonder why so much fault is found with the lessons and the way BSF does things. Personally, I feel that if you don’t like it then don’t go to BSF
You have wonderful insight into Gods word and I appreciate all your wonderful answers! ! I do my lesson and then look at your answers. Your answers are always great! ! I have been going to. BSF for 8 years. This is my second time for Genesis !! Mrs Johnson is probably rolling over in her grave with the way they have changed the questions. It is ridiculous with all the personal questions and what do you think? I think they will lose a lot of people. We are there to learn Gods word not to spread out our dirty laundry with all the personals and what do you think. Ridiculous! !
Hey Jean,
I agree although I can’t speak to the change in questions since this is my first time through Genesis. Here’s what I posted a while back in response to that exact sentiment. Thanks for your comment and God bless!
http://atozmom.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/summation-of-bsf-lesson-10/
I have a hard time with the questions, too, about what happened “this week”. Every week we are asked these questions and I always think something is wrong with me because I rarely have an answer to these questions. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one! However, I am amazed at how God is speaking to some of the ladies in my group with these questions! Maybe we all don’t always have to have an answer to these “personal” questions?
This is only my 2nd year at BSF and I do not remember so many of these types of questions last year.
I love this blog. I have been attending BSF for a long time and while I find it the most organized Bible study I have been in, it has flaws, as any man-made institution will. (Don’t get me started on the notes!..anytime I see *probably*.. I cringe.. waiting to see how BSF has unfolded the story to their spin). I don’t bring up my questions of *flaws* in class, because of respect for those who are fully satisfied. I think this is an appropriate forum.
*This week* questions can be a stumbling block sometimes because we feel driven to answer every question and there wasn’t one *this week*. In the prayer section.. I did write about a small awakening I had this week. I also re-read my past lessons and the answers there (to see if I had any spiritual growth and to see how the questions have changed). One time I did have an answer, another year not.