Genesis Part 2 - Week 1

Day 1 

READ 

Genesis 12:1-3 

¹ The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. ² I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. ³ I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 

These three verses are a key to the rest of the Bible. Up to this point God had been working with the larger world; now He selects one man and will work through him and his descendants throughout the remaining story of the Bible. In these three verses God promised Abram (name later changed to Abraham) land, seed (descendants) and a blessing. God promised to make Abraham and his descendants a blessing to the world. Those who would bless Abraham and his descendants, God would bless. Those who would curse Abraham and his descendants, God would curse. 

REFLECT 

Be sure to remember the three items God had promised Abraham: land, seed and blessing. 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend and read Genesis 12:1-9. These verses tell you about the early days of Abraham and his wife Sarai (name later changed to Sarah). The Lord promised to give the land they were on to him, that is why it is called the Promised Land. Notice that Abraham set up altars for worship wherever he went.  

Day 2 

READ 

Genesis 12:11-13 

¹¹ As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. ¹² When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ ¹³ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” 

This passage tells about Abraham’s fear for his life because of the beauty of his wife. His fear was understandable but he violated his commitment as a husband to be her protector. He reasoned that with him gone, the Egyptians would do whatever they wanted with his wife.  

REFLECT 

Think of Ephesians 5:25-30 about how husbands should treat their wives. 

RESPOND 

Whether reading these verses with the same friend or another, read Genesis 12:10-20. Notice the shame of an unbeliever having higher standards than a believer. Look ahead to Genesis 20:1-3 to see Abraham did not learn his lesson as he did the same before another leader. How are you living before unbelievers? 

Day 3 

READ 

Genesis 13:1-4 

¹ So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. ² (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.) ³ From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. ⁴ This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again. 

This sets the stage for the conflict between Abraham and Lot because both had become wealthy with their livestock. Notice here that Abraham worshiped at the altar he had built before. It does not indicate that Lot worshiped there, only Abraham. Perhaps this gives a clue about the significant differences in these two men.  

REFLECT 

Do your friends know that you worship God in your own way? That sets you apart from others.  

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 13:1-13 to see what Abraham and Lot decided to do because the land could not support both of their large flocks. Notice not only where Lot chose to go but why he chose to go there. 

Day 4 

READ 

Genesis 13:14-15 

¹⁴ After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. ¹⁵ I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 

Abraham and his descendants will be the main story throughout the rest of the Bible. Because of that these two verses are extremely important. God was giving all the land Abraham could see in every direction to him and his descendants. Notice how long this was to be for: it was given “as a permanent possession.” Those today who think that God no longer has to fulfill His land promises to Abraham and his descendants do not believe what God’s word says. 

REFLECT 

Do you believe what the Bible says or what others say? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 13:14-18. Notice that wherever Abraham went he built an altar for the purpose of worshiping the LORD. He is a good model to imitate. 

Day 5 

READ 

Genesis 14:10-12 

¹⁰ As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains. ¹¹ The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. ¹² They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned. 

This passage tells more about Lot. His servants and Abraham’s servants had strife because the land could not care for both of their flocks of animals. What will Abraham do when he learns his nephew had been captured and everything he had was carried off? Would Abraham be justified in thinking Lot deserved it and do nothing to help him at this time? 

REFLECT 

What have you done when a friend has seemed to want nothing to do with you? When that friend gets into trouble, do you avoid the situation or try to help? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 14:1-12. There are many difficult names to pronounce in this section. If you have YouVersion on your phone you could call this up in a version that has audio and pronounces these names for you. This would also help you to know how to pronounce them in the future.