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Because of her condition, Sarai takes matters into her own hands. What does she decide to do?
Do you believe people still try to “help” God? Please explain.
Who exactly is Hagar?
How long do you think she has been with Abram and Sarai?
What is your reaction to this statement?
What does this tell us about Sarai?
Compare Sarai’s statement about God with that of Abram’s in Gen. 15:3. What is the difference?
Why does she do this?
What can you learn about this practice during Abram’s time? Do we see attempts to have families like this today? Please explain.
If so, what do you think about them?
What do you think about Sarai’s plan?
Why do you think Abram went along with his wife’s plan?
How old would this make Abram?
Look closely at what happens next. The verse mentions that Hagar was Sarai’s maidservant or maid. What would her status be as a maidservant?
However, what happens to Hagar when Sarai gives her to Abram?
What kind of problems do you think this might cause?
So, what can we learn about marriage customs at this time?
How does this affect the relationship between Hagar and Sarai?
Why do you think Hagar began to despise Sarai?
Again, notice what is happening. Hagar is still Saria’s servant, but she is also Abram’s wife, as is Sarai. Again, why do you think Abram went along with this?
Why do you think this might be Abram’s fault?
Remember, Hagar was Sarai’s maidservant. In other words, Hagar was her property. Why do you think Sarai did not just tell Hagar to leave?
What could Abram have done to ease the tension between Hagar and Sarai?
How did Abram decide to “solve” this dilemma?
Why do you think Abram chose this course of action?
What does Hagar do?
What does this tell you about the conditions under which Hagar was living?
Now, we know Abram and Sarai are going the parents through which the promise of God will flow. Based upon this incident, what do you think of these parents-to-be?
Hagar was an Egyptian slave. She did not believe in Him. Why would God care about her?
God addresses her by name. What does this mean to you?
What does it mean to you that God knows your name?
In what other way does God address Hagar? Why would God refer to her in such a way?
Many times people expect God to change their positions or situations. Yet, God does not always choose to do this. Why do you believe God does this?
If God already knows Hagar, why does He ask her where she is from and where is she going?
Can you think of a time when you believed you had a great idea, but when you were asked to verbalize it, your impression of the idea changed? If so, would you share this?
Have you ever felt like running away from someone or something?
Why might God want us to stay put?
Why would God have her return to Sarai who had been mistreating her?
Suppose you worked for a not-so-understanding boss who took advantage of you. Can you think of a reason why God might have you stay put?
The LORD tells Hagar to submit to Sarai. What does this mean to you?
Many people do not like the word submit because they feel it is demeaning. Some couples even remove the word from their marriage vows. How do you feel about this?
What does the Bible say about submitting?
Has God ever asked you to submit to someone you did not necessarily admire? If so, what did you learn from this experience?
Notice, the angel said, “I will increase…” What does it mean to you that the angel used the pronoun “I”?
How does God’s promise to Hagar fit with God’s promise to Abram?
Before this promise, what might the future hold for Hagar’s child?
If you were in Hagar’s situation, how might this promise make you feel? How would it make it easier to return to Sarai?
What name is Hagar to give her son? What does this name mean?
Why is she to give her son this name?
The Hebrew word for “hear” is “shama” or “shamma” and this gives us one of the names for the LORD: Jehovah Shammah. What does this name mean?
What does it mean to you that this name was given to God by an Egyptian servant?
In what way have you experienced God as Jehovah Shammah?
What does it mean to you that he will be a “wild donkey of a man?”
This prophecy also says he will live in hostility with all his brothers. What does this mean to you?
What impact, if any, does this prophecy have on the events in the Middle East as they are unfolding today?
How do you feel about the events involving modern day Israel?
Again, in what way have you experienced God as El Roi?
What do we learn about Abram from verse 16?
Why do you believe the LORD included this piece of information?
How would you describe Sarai?
How would you describe Hagar?
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