DAY 18

A.M. Reading: Genesis 17

Genesis Questions Worth Pondering:

Look back in Genesis 12:4. How old was Abram when God first spoke to Him of making him a great nation?

How old is he in Chapter 17? Has he seen the fulfillment of God’s promise yet?

But God is faithful! He reaffirms His covenant with Abram (and his descendants).

List again all the promises that God makes to Abram.

What does he change Abram’s name to? Why?

God then commands Abraham and his descendants to keep His covenant.

What is the sign of the covenant? How was it to be performed?

What would happen to the uncircumcised?

What, then, does God promise concerning Sarai?

How did Abraham respond?

What does God promise concerning Ishmael?

But what son would the covenant be with?

Did Abraham delay in doing what God had spoken to him? How quickly did he obey?

Recall what the Scriptures said about Noah. “Thus Noah did according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”

How can we see similarities with Abraham?

Finish this thought: Faith hears what God has said, believes what God has said, and ______________________________________________.

Important note about circumcision: Circumcision in the flesh of the male foreskin was a part of the Old Covenant. The Apostle Paul explains more fully in the New Covenant. Read the passages below and describe where the circumcision occurs in the believer today.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2:28-29

A “think” question: What would a cutting away of the flesh in the heart mean?

How does this apply to each of us as believers?

P.M. Reading: John 8:12-59

John Questions Worth Pondering:

In this passage, we continue to see the division, confusion, and accusations against Jesus. In spite of this Jesus continues to boldly proclaim who He is. He also reveals the hearts of His accusers.

List all the truths that Jesus declares about Himself.

Then list all the truths that He declares about the Pharisees and Jews in this passage.

Were there any believers among them? (Verse 30)

What does He declare to the believers?

Recall that God’s covenant was to Abraham and his descendants. As these Jews claim to be Abraham’s descendants, they were indeed his physical descendants. But did they demonstrate faith as Abraham by believing Jesus?

Who does Jesus declare is their father?

How are they acting like their father?

What does Jesus keep telling them about Himself?

Why do they attempt to stone Him?

Think of all the different responses to Jesus.

How do people respond to the truth about Jesus today?

May the Word of Christ dwell richly within!