Unwavering - Faith & Waiting

Unwavering - Faith & Waiting

• 3.
  Did you havea dream from when you were Young that you’re still waiting to happen?
• 4.
  And God saidto Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.” I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” GENESIS 17:15-17
• 5.
  Throughout his life,Abraham was continually reminded of God's promise to him—that he would be a great nation and have numerous offspring. But the waiting challenged his faith. Especially today, where people prefer everything to be quick and easy, waiting is a reality and a great challenge we have to face. Today, let's look at Abraham's life to see how we should respond while waiting.
• 6.
  Background: Abraham, Hagar& Ishmael Genesis 16 & 17
• 7.
  Wait even whenthe waiting is long.
• 8.
  Then Abraham fellon his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” GENESIS 17:17
• 9.
  The Lord gavethe promise of an offspring to Abraham when he was 75 years old (Genesis 12:1-4,7), but Sarah was only able to bear a child 25 years after this promise was given. In spite of the long period of waiting, Abraham believed God and continued to walk with and obey Him. Even when we don’t see the fulfillment of the promise yet, let’s continue to seek and obey Him and trust that His timing is perfect. This time of waiting is when we can grow deeper in our relationship and faith in Him. Share about a time you waited on the fulfillment of God’s promise to you. How did your faith grow in that waiting time?
• 10.
  Believe even whenwhat you are waiting for seems impossible.
• 11.
  Then Abraham fellon his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” GENESIS 17:17
• 12.
  Abraham and Sarahreceived the promise of a child when they were considered physically incapable of having one, but God showed that He can make the impossible possible with His power. When God calls you to wait for the impossible, trust and obey His Word, just as Abraham did. Every Word He says is true and will accomplish His plans and purpose (Isaiah 55:11). How does knowing this encourage you to believe God for the seemingly impossible things in your life?
• 13.
  “For as therain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. ISAIAH 55:10-11
• 14.
  Embrace God’s planwhen it is different from yours.
• 15.
  God said, “No,but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.” GENESIS 17:19
• 16.
  Abraham tried tofulfill the promise by having a son through Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar, even when God told him that He will give him descendants through his wife, Sarah. As we wait on the promise of God, it is tempting to try to “help” God fulfill the promise using our own ways and resources. When God reveals His plan, we should respond in faith, trusting God and submitting to His plan even when it is different from ours. Although His plan may seem impossible, He will come through. Recall a time when God was leading you to a direction that wasn’t your original plan. How was your faith built during that time?
• 18.
  • Are youhaving difficulty in your walk with God while waiting on Him? Are you having doubts about God’s promise for you? What verse from the Bible can you hold onto? • What is one promise from God that you are claiming in your life right now? How is God calling you to respond while waiting for that promise? • Do you have a family member or friend who needs to be encouraged with God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promise and to grow in faith this week? How can you encourage him or her to continue to grow in his or her relationship with God and persist in faith?
• 19.
  Verses to encourageyou this week: • "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6 • "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." Hebrews 10:23 • "But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 • "For our light and temporary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that far outweighs our troubles. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18