Date: June 16, 2024
God’s Promise of Blessing
The Point: God promised to bless all people through His chosen people.
Get Into the Study
Replace Question #1 with this question: If someone asked, would you be able to share some of your family tree with them? Can you point to things in your ancestry that have impacted your life?
Share the following information.
Many times, in sports, a recognizable connection can be seen between coaches. Commonly known as a “coaching tree,” the influence of certain coaches can be recognized in those they identified and mentored. For example, the impact of recently retired Alabama football coach Nick Saban can be seen throughout American football. Since his first head coaching postion at the University of Toledo, at least thirty-nine of his former assistants have become head coaches, either in the NFL or major college programs. In 2023 alone, there were thirteen major college head coaches who had worked for Saban. He is known for not only recognizing talent but providing a place for former head coaches to turn their careers around.
Saban himself was the product of former Kent State and Washington head coach Don James, who saw thirteen of his former assistants ascend to head coaching positions. Former Saban assistant and current Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is quickly developing his own branch of this ever expanding “tree.” The knowledge and expertise of these coaches is being multiplied through others for the future of the sport.
Say: Our study today is about God’s covenant with Abraham. God chose Abraham and promised to make his descendants a great nation, but for a reason. God’s covenant with and blessing on Abraham’s descendants was done in order for the world to be blessed through them. (Genesis 12:3)
Call attention to The Point in the Personal Study Guide (or Daily Discipleship Guide) and continue with the Study the Bible segment of the session.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2024/01/11/nick-saban-alabama-coaching-tree/72187877007
https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2024/01/a-look-at-nick-sabans-ever-growing-coaching-tree.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_James_(American_football)
Live It Out
As you begin to discuss the “Live It Out” section, share the following testimony shared directly with the writer..
When Glenda Dyer passed away on April 20, 2024, she and Paul had been married for fifty-nine years. As her later years were consumed with dementia, they continued to faithfully serve their church and were inseparable as Paul cared for and comforted her through the issues that come with this disease. Part of their regular routine was grocery shopping at a local supermarket. A store employee recognized Glenda’s struggles and was especially patient and kind when they came through her line. Whenever possible, they used her station to pay.
After Glenda’s death, Paul struggled with the loneliness of losing his life mate and best friend. He said his church family was there for him, but it was still hard. On one trip to the supermarket, Paul was using the self-checking line when his favorite cashier asked why his wife wasn’t with him. When Paul informed her about Glenda’s death, she immediately left her check-out station, came over to Paul and asked his name. She then put her arms around him and compassionately prayed for God’s comfort and peace in his life.
As Paul shared this with his church family, he said that God used this dear lady to give him assurance that God’s love and peace were sufficient. It was exactly what he needed when he needed it and confirmed that God had not forgotten him.
Say: Who could have imagined that an anonymous cashier would be a modern-day embodiment of God’s covenant plan for his people to bless others? Because she saw a ministry need, she was able to live out her faith and be the blessing that Paul Dyer needed. As we take today’s study into the next week, look for ways to live out the covenant we have through Jesus Christ.
Lynn Riley is retired from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, where he served as a team member in the areas of evangelism and church health. He and his wife Cheryl live in Smyrna, Tennessee and are active members of Rolling Hills Community Church in Nolensville, Tennessee. They are spending their retirement years serving their church and spoiling grandkids.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What might your life be like without pipes, faucets, and hoses?
- Have you ever been a part of a group of people that made you feel like, “these are my people?”
- When have you felt proud to be part of a group or team?
- What’s an invention or discovery in recent years that blessed huge groups of people?
Genesis 12:1-3
- What was God’s purpose for blessing Abram?
- What does the phrase, “Blessed to be a blessing” mean to you?
- How are you a recipient of God’s promises to Abram? What privileges and responsibilities does that give you?
- How is this covenant with Abram a defining moment for all the world for all eternity?
- What emotions do you feel when God takes you out your comfort zone?
Genesis 15:5-7
- Describe a time when you, like Abram, chose to believe God’s promises in spite of circumstances. What was the result?
- What does wait on God look like in application?
- How do you judge God’s character when his promises are delayed in your life?
- How does God’s word encourage you to hold on to His promises during seasons of tested patience and character building?
- When have you faced a situation where it was difficult to trust God’s good will toward you?
- What has helped you trust God’s promises?
- What are some obstacles that can hinder our ability to have faith in God?
Genesis 17:7-11
- What are benefits you have seen from walking with God for a long time?
- What might it look like for believers today to guard God’s covenant?
- What might it look like today for seniors to be distinct from the rest of the world?
- How can believers be distinct from this world without being “holier-than thou” in this world?
- What outcomes are apparent for the believer who lives in a distinct relationship with God?
- What are some ways we are called to be distinct?
- How does God call His followers to be distinct in today’s world?
- How should modern Christians go about distinguishing themselves from the world today?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Seeing Yourself as God Sees You
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Of course the award for the best assistant coach in college football ever year is called the Frank Broyles award.