“GOD’S COVENANT PASSED ON”

Genesis 25:1-34

GOAL:  The student learns how to keep God at the center while He works out His covenant promises through family.

 INDICATOR:  The student strives to be the peacemaker and give spiritual advice in the family.

 LEARNING ACTIVITIES

 
1)    Open with this statement:  Family issues can be touchy.  They can even be more tedious when there is a blended family.  For instance; how does a blended family divide their father’s inheritance when they come from three different mothers?  Also can all the children lay aside their differences to help bury a parent?  When they have different mothers.  Lastly, as a parent, what do I do when my children don’t seem to like each other?  Ask the class to respond.

 
2)    Read and discuss verses 1-11.

a)     Even after Abraham had other sons through Keturah, he gave all he had to Isaac.  Why did he do this?

b)    An inheritance left to children can sometimes cause a division, especially in a blended family.  What can a parent (s) do to minimize the confusion or hurt feelings?

c)     Though Isaac and Ishmael were from two different mothers, they came together in agreement to bury their dad.  How were they able to do this?

 3)    Read and discuss verses 12-18.

a)     What does the genealogy of Ishmael reveal about God’s promise made to Abraham about Him?

 TRUTH:  Even though Abraham has died, God still kept His promise about Ishmael.  He is faithful.

 4)    Read and discuss verses 19-34.

a)     Isaac was 60 years old when he became a father.  He waited twenty years for God to give him sons.  How do you keep the faith when you don’t see the results of your prayers right away?

b)    Rebekah sensed something unusual about her pregnancy.  What did she do? (v22)

 TRUTH:  Our Heavenly Father is to be included in every intimate detail of our lives.  We should talk to Him regularly and often.

 c)     Esau and Jacob, though twins, looked different and had different interest. (v27)  Do you accept and encourage the differences in your children or do you make comparisons and push the one to be like the other/  Do you think twins face a greater pressure in this area?

 TRUTH:  God designed Esau and Jacob, though twin, to be different.

 d)    What does Esau’s attitude toward his birth right reveal about his character? (vv29-34)

e)    In what situations are you tempted to give up something of spiritual value to meet an immediate need?

 5)    Close with prayer.