Sarah was a remarkable woman. She "obeyed her husband by calling him lord." (I Pet. 3:6) She followed him from Ur to Haran, through Canaan, and down to Egypt. In Egypt she was used as a bargaining tool for the caravan family of Abraham. Sarah shared the burden of despair with Abraham from not being able to conceive a child. It would appear that Abraham was monogamous with Sarah. However, in her impatience, she decided to fix the promise of a child by adopting an idea from pagan culture that was not in keeping with the promise God intended. The Egyptian maid, Hagar, conceived and the result was a child by the will of man. The self-will of Sarah brought much heartache to the family and to Sarah. Later she had to separate herself and her family from Hagar and Ishmael.
Sarah was given a miracle child in Isaac. She and Abraham spent many years enjoying the blessing of God's promise of descendants through their beloved son. This was not without great challenge and faith building, but in the end the blessedness of Sarah's barrenness was revealed by Almighty God. The blessedness of God was seen and shared, as it is even today! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Week 1, Conclusion
Week 1, Day 6
Read Genesis 21:1-21
1. After a second near disaster for Sarah, what did God do for her?
2. Sarah and Abraham named their son Isaac. What did Sarah acknowledge about Isaac in verse 6?
3. What adversity came with the blessing of Isaac for Sarah? (vv.8-10)
4. What did God confirm to Abraham regarding Sarah, Isaac, Hagar, and Ishmael? (vv.11-13)
5. Read Genesis 22:1-19. What do you suppose happened to Sarah during this time of testing for Abraham and Isaac?
6. How old was Sarah when she died? (Gen. 23:1)
7. Where was she buried? (Gen. 23:19)
TIMELINE FOR ABRAHAM AND SARAH
1. Abraham - 75 yrs; Sarah - 65 yrs; Events - Left Haran, first promise given
2. Abraham - 76 yrs; Sarah - 66 yrs; Event - Left Egypt for Canaan
3. Abraham - 86 yrs; Sarah - 76 yrs; Events - 10 years in Canaan Hagar pregnant with Ishmael
4. Abraham - 99 yrs; Sarah - 89 yrs; Events - 2 angels & LORD appeared to Abraham Promise repeated, Ishmael 13 yrs, first circumcision
5. Abraham - 100 yrs; Sarah - 90 yrs; Event - Isaac born
6. Abraham - 103 yrs; Sarah - 93 yrs; Event- Isaac weaned
7. Abraham - 175 yrs; Sarah - 127 yrs; Event - Died
LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. God is able to do the impossible. What, like Sarah, are you looking forward to by faith? (Matt. 17:20, 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37, 18:27)
2. God gives us opportunities to grow in faith. What test of faith might God be allowing in your life today? (1 Pet. 1:6-9, 4:12-13)
3. God remembered Sarah. What are you waiting for in your life right now, praying and trusting that God will "remember" you?
Week 1, Day 5
1. What significance is established in Genesis 17:1-8 and 15-21 between God, Abram, and Sarai? (Rom. 4:17-25; Neh. 9:7)
2. Describe the scene in Genesis 18:1-15 by answering the following questions: WHO, WHAT, WHEN & WHERE?
3. What do you see about Sarah?
4. Read Genesis 20:1-18. What did Sarah have to endure yet again?
5. How was she pulled into the lie? (v.5)
6. What was the significance of this event after the Lord had promised Abraham and Sarah a son in one year's time?
7. What can be learned from Abraham's self-willed plan to protect himself from foreigners? (vv.11-13)
LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. God chose Abraham and Sarah as His own. He specifically renamed them. How are you viewed among those who know you, and what does your name represent toward man and God?
2. What seemingly impossible circumstance have you laid at Jesus' feet today? (Gen. 18:14; Phil. 4:13) Is anything too difficult for the Lord?
3. What half truth almost became a total disaster for you this week? (1 John 1:5-10)
4. In all the sin represented in these verses, did God change His mind regarding the promise to Abraham and Sarah? How does this bring comfort to your heart, mind, body, and soul today?
Week 1, Day 4
Read Genesis 16.
1. In Genesis 16:1-2, what did Sarai do in her impatience to bear a child?
2. How did Abram respond to Sarai's suggestion? (vv.2-4)
3. What resulted from his decision? (vv.13-16)
4. Who suffered because of this impulsive action? (vv.4-6)
LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. What impatient decision have you made that has yielded frustration and disaster in your life?
2. What can we learn about waiting on the Lord's timing?
3. How can you make your disaster a blessing today?
Week 1, Day 3
Read Genesis 13:14-18 and 15:1-21
1. In Genesis 13:14-18, what did the Lord say to Abram?
2. What was Abram's response in Genesis 15:2-4?
3. What was God's answer in 15:5?
4. What does Genesis 15:6 say about Abram?
5. What do we learn from 15:18?
6. How do you suppose Sarai fit into this covenant from the Lord?
7. Do you think Abram shared all these things with Sarai?
We already know that Abram and Sarai were considerably older when the Lord made this covenant with them. Time had passed since they traveled from Haran to Egypt and back to Canaan. If Sarai was 65 years old when they journeyed from Haran, she would have been much older at this point. Life expectancy at that time was approximately 120 years. Sarai had already exceeded the half way point and was in her senior years of life. Clearly her childbearing years were well past.
LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. In your daily walk how might you be experiencing the Lord's protection? Be specific.
2. Have you pondered lately the great promise of your inheritance in heaven?
3. With whom have you recently shared about God's promises and blessings?
Week 1, Day 2
Read Genesis 12:10-20.
1.What did Abram tell his wife Sarai to do while in Egypt, and why?
2. How do you suppose Sarai felt about this lie?
3. What happened to Sarai while in Egypt? (vv.15-20)
4. How did God protect Sarai from sin with the Pharaoh?
From the records of the historian, Josephus, it is believed Sarai admitted to her royal admirer (the Pharaoh) that she was indeed Abram's wife. The scene was set. The Pharaoh was convinced by the plagues that it was this deception that had brought him harm. In this way, God protected Sarai and sent Abram, Sarai, and their caravan family on the move again back to Canaan, the land of promise.
LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. The lie of Abram was not beneficial to his wife. Like Sarai, have you ever been compromised in your position as a woman? (Col. 3:9, Prov. 14:5)
2. God gave Sarai courage and protection while in Pharaoh's household. How is God helping you in your present difficulty? (Acts 28:15, Psa. 118:6; Heb. 13:6)
3. Sarai must have felt abandoned by Abram during this trial. What do you do when others sell you out to something or someone else? (Psa. 102:1-17)
4. God protected Sarai by casting plagues on Pharaoh's household. How have you been protected by God in your present circumstances?
5. In spite of all the sin in this story, God still kept His promise to Abram. God is true to His Word even when we are not true to Him! How can that help you today? (Trust: Psa. 37:3-5, 40:3, 62:8, 115:9-11; Prov. 3:5-6; Isa. 26:4)
Week 1, Day 1
1. Read the story of Sarah from Genesis 11:26--23:20 in one sitting. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you insight and application for your life.
2. Read Genesis 11:27-32 and list the details you learn about Sarai.
3. Read Genesis 12:1-9. Abram, Sarai, and their family had settled in Haran for a season then were on the move again. Why?
4. Look on a map and trace the journey of Abram, Sarai, and their family from Ur to Egypt. How many miles was it approximately?
5. What significance do you see in this form of travel for Sarai compared to today or 100 years ago?
LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS
1. Sarai traveled from Ur to Egypt because this was the command of her husband. What have you done recently because your spouse, parents, or job required it of you?
2. How was your attitude?
3. The Lord said for them to "go" (Gen. 12:1-2). In what area of your life is the Lord telling you to "go" today?
