Session 2: Abrahamic Covenant
September 10, 2025 | Genesis 12-13; Galatians 3:7-9; Acts 3:25-26
Part 1: Blessing and Bloodline
We are going through God’s covenants to show God’s faithfulness to His purposes through the storyline of His people. In a season where our lives experience much transition, testing, and doubt, we must anchor ourselves in God’s promises and His character.
Recap of Noahic Covenant
God promises not to destroy all of creation even if it plunges into sin again. He will let them go their own way. When we sin, God will not forsake the work of his own hands, but His patience is an invitation to repent.
Context: Between Noah and Abraham
Post-Noah narrative is the Tower of Babel.
What was the sin in the Tower of Babel? They wanted to build a tower that reaches the heavens to make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the earth.
Contrasts between the call of Abram and the Tower of Babel:
- Babel sought to settle; God calls Abram to go.
- Babel tried to reach heaven; God comes down to bless.
- Babel wanted a great name; God gives Abram a great name.
- Babel ends with scattering; Abram is promised to bless all nations.
The lens of Scripture zooms in from all nations in Genesis 1-11 to one man and his family in Genesis 12-50, so that this one man’s family might bless all nations.
The Call to Mission and Adventure
God’s command to Abraham to leave his country into a foreign land is the call to mission and adventure. God might call us to the craziest shifts and adventures in our 20s: career shift, long-term missionary, ministry, relocation, etc.
The real challenge isn’t knowing God’s will — it’s trusting Him enough to obey.
We don’t obey because we don’t trust God enough. We don’t switch careers because we don’t trust God will provide finances. We don’t choose to love someone unlovable because we don’t trust God will fill us with His love.
Abram’s Faith Tested in Egypt
Is the passage concerning Abram in Egypt a good or bad look for him?
I believe this episode highlights how the fulfillment of the covenant is being threatened!
- Loss of land hope: Abram leaves the promised land and risks settling elsewhere.
- Loss of promised offspring: By passing off Sarai as his sister, Abram endangers the line of promise.
- Loss of Abram’s witness: Instead of being a blessing to the nations (12:3), Abram’s deception brings plagues upon Egypt.
Yet again, God makes covenant and humans commit sin. And yet again, God intervenes. He keeps the story going.
God remains faithful despite Abram’s failure: The covenant depends on God’s fidelity, not Abram’s perfection.
Abram’s Character Arc
After Egypt, Abram matures:
- Return to the land and worship (13:1-4): Abram retraces his steps back to Bethel and calls on the name of the Lord again.
- Generosity toward Lot (13:8-9): Abram willingly gives Lot first choice of the land, showing trust that God’s promise won’t be jeopardized.
Gospel Connection
Read Galatians 3:7-9 — Paul and Peter identify the ingathering of the Gentiles as the fulfillment of this promise.
Being a true son of God isn’t because you regularly attend church or LG. You must have real faith in God. Most practical way to discern that: if you’re walking in simple obedience. It doesn’t mean perfect obedience. We just saw that Abram had his hiccups but he exhibits fresh repentance and ongoing trust in God.
Discussion Questions
- Who has been a blessing to you lately? How did that impact your faith?
- In your 20s, life feels full of “unknowns.” How does Abram’s story encourage you?
- Can you share a time you felt God calling you to something risky or uncertain? How did you respond?
- What is one practical way you can be a blessing to someone in your workplace, family, or friend group this week?
- What’s one area of your future you feel most anxious about (career, relationships, stability)? How does God’s promise speak into that?
- How can we, as a group, help each other step out in faith and live as a blessing to others?