Seeing God in the Stranger
Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15 (NRSVue)
In this stage of Abraham’s journey in Genesis, we’ll look at God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah that he would give them a child, Isaac (which means “laughter”), even though they were “mature” adults. In this wonderful scene in Genesis 18 we’ll ponder so many interesting things like: how to wait when God is taking a long time, is anything too wonderful for God, how hospitality to strangers can be an expression of worship, and how to make God laugh.
June 18, 2023 — Worship Service Bulletin
Sermon Art: “Abraham and the Three Angels” (1966) by Marc Chagall, wikiart.org
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Bible Study Questions
- It had been fifteen years since God promised Abraham and Sarah an heir. Why is God taking so long?
- What should we do in our lives when God is slow in fulfilling his promises?
- Who are these three guests? Who do you think is the guest that Abraham interacts with?
- Why do you think Abraham is in such a hurry and so generous in his hospitality?
- How important is it to show hospitality to strangers in our Judeo-Christian faith? How might we apply this important practice today?
- How can showing hospitality to others be an act of worship to God?
- The rabbis have a saying in the Talmud: promise little but deliver much. What might be the wisdom of this practice today?
- Both Abraham (Gen. 17) and Sarah (Gen. 18) laugh when God promises them an heir. The name Isaac means laughter. The fuller version of Isaac’s name can mean “God laughs.” What are good kinds of laughter? Not so good kinds of laughter?
- Do you think anything is possible with God? If we believe this, does it mean we will get whatever we ask God for in prayer? Or does it mean something else?
- Why do you think Sarah was afraid and denied laughing?
Other Sermons In This Series
A Sickness Not Unto Death
March 26, 2023
Persistence is a Virtue
October 16, 2022
Salt and Light
February 05, 2023