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1.
Finally, after 20 years, the time has come for God’s promise to Abraham
and Sarah to be fulfilled. Verse 1 states that God was gracious to Sarah. The
Verse 1 also tells us that things happened just as God had said. What can we learn from this statement?
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How does it apply to this situation?
2. Why do you believe the Bible makes it so clear that Sarah became pregnant just as God had promised?
How old was Sarah when she became pregnant? Abraham?
Also, we are told that this happened at the very time God had chosen. What does this tell us about God’s timing?
3. After all this anticipation, the birth of Abraham and Sarah’s son covers one verse. Sarah got pregnant and gave birth. Why do you think God does not say more about this time?
4. What did Abraham name his son?
What does Isaac mean?
What does Abraham do next?
5. What does Sarah say in verse 6?
In what way has God brought laughter to Sarah?
This is the most we have heard from Sarah. How has the birth of Isaac changed Sarah?
6. Lest we forget, there is another son in this family. Who is it?
When was the last time we heard about Ishmael?
How do you think the birth of Isaac affected Ishmael?
How do you think it affected Hagar?
Why do you think we have not heard about them for some time?
What do you think this household was like during this time?
7. Verse 8 tells us that the child grew and was weaned. Can you learn at what age boys were usually weaned during this time?
What did Abraham do?
Why do you think he did this?
Again, what affect do you think this had on Ishmael?
8. What does Sarah notice about Ishmael?
What does it mean to you that Ishmael was mocking Isaac?
Again, how old is Isaac? How old is Ishmael?
What would you do as a parent if your stepson was mocking your son?
What should Abraham do?
How does Sarah handle the situation?
What does she want Abraham to do?
What can you find out about the meaning of the word “cast out” in her demand?
How do you feel about her request?
9. What affect did Sarah’s request have upon Abraham?
Why do you think this matter distressed or bothered Abraham so much?
Read verse 11 carefully. It says Abraham was distressed because of his son. To which son do you think this verse is referring?
10. Then, God enters the situation. What does God say to Abraham in verse 12?
Does it surprise you that God
tells Abraham to listen to whatever
Does this mean God does not care about Ishmael and Hagar? Please explain.
Why do you think God told Abraham to cast out his son Ishmael?
In what way might Ishmael proven to be a threat to Isaac?
What promise does God make concerning Ishmael?
11. At one time Ishmael was Abraham’s only son. He enjoyed all Abraham had. Now, the situation changes drastically for him. What does Abraham do early the next morning?
Ishmael is now a young man. His father sends him away. What is his inheritance?
Whom does Abraham send with them to watch over them?
Why does he not seem worried about them?
Can you locate the desert of Beersheba?
12. What did Hagar do when they ran out of water?
Does this remind you of another time when Hagar ran away?
We read in verse 17 that God heard the boy crying. What do you think of Ishmael that he would be crying? What does it mean to you that God heard his crying?
Neither Hagar nor Ishmael asks God anything. Yet, God responds. What can this teach us about prayer?
13. What does God say to Hagar?
What does he tell her to do with Ishmael?
Again, God repeats His promise concerning Ishmael. What is it?
14. What does verse 19 tell us?
What does it mean to you that God opened her eyes?
Why could she not see the well before?
In what ways are we like Hagar?
Can you think of some things that you were not able to see until God opened your eyes?
15. According to verse 20, God was with the boy Ishmael as he grew up. What does this mean to you?
Why do you think God was with him?
What happens to Ishmael?
This is interesting. From where does Hagar get a wife for her son?
What can you learn about Ishmael’s descendants?
What was their relationship with Isaac’s descendants?
16.
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What does it mean to you that children of the flesh will persecute children of the spirit?
Why do you think Paul used the terms “slave” and “free” to describe the two sons?
How does this apply to us?
How has God used this story of Ishmael and Isaac to teach us today?
17. We hear once again from Abimelech. Who was he?
What does he say about Abraham?
How would he know God is with Abraham?
How would people know God is with us?
What favor does he ask of Abraham?
Does it seem ironic to you that a king would be asking the favor of a wandering, seemingly homeless man?
Abimelech asks Abraham to show him the same kindness that Abimelech showed to Abraham and his family. What spiritual truths can we learn from this?
Which of Jesus’ teachings follow along these same lines?
What can we learn from this about our relationship with kings and presidents?
As a person of God, would it bother you to share your blessings with unbelievers? Please explain.
18. Why does Abimelech ask Abraham not to deal falsely with him or with his descendants?
How do you think this made Abraham feel?
19. Abraham swears that he will keep the oath. What does it mean to you to swear an oath?
What does the LORD say about swearing oaths?
After swearing the oath, what complaint does Abraham have?
How does Abimelech respond?
Do you think he is telling the truth? Please explain.
Why would Abraham be so concerned about a well? What can you learn about the importance of water in this region? What can you learn about the control of wells?
20.What treaty do Abraham and Abimelech make?
What does Abraham give Abimelech as a sign of this treaty?
Why do you think Abimelech did not give Abraham anything in return?
After securing the treaty, what does Abraham do?
Why does he do this?
Why do you think Abimelech did not know the meaning of these seven lambs?
What name did they give the well? What does it mean?
21. After finalizing the treaty, what does Abimelech do?
What does Abraham do?
Why do you think he planted a tree?
Why might Abraham have called upon the name of the LORD?
After this, where did Abraham go? Where was the land of the Phillistines?
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