AS YOU MEET WITH EACH OTHER THIS WEEK, CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:
1. Genesis 15 begins with Abraham giving his complaints to God. Pastor Charlie referred to this as "wrestling with God." We see similar expressions given to God by other well known characters in the scriptures such as Jacob, Moses, David, and even Jesus. Does this strike you as strange? Why is this important? Have you ever found yourself in a circumstance where you had to "wrestle with God?"
2. After God told Abraham that he would receive the land, Abraham asked how he would know this was true. As discussed in the sermon, Abraham was looking for a sense of felt assurance in God's promise. He wanted to feel God's love and faithfulness towards him. It is very common for believers, like Abraham, to have faith while at the same time longing for the feelings of assurance of God's love and faithfulness. Can you relate to Abraham in this way? What should we do when we feel this same longing that Abraham felt to know that the promises will be ours?
3. The Holy Spirit is described in the Scriptures to be our "down payment" or "deposit" that "guarantees" our future inheritance. In other words, the Holy Spirit is given to us to help us have the assurance that Abraham longed for. What can we do when we long to experience this felt assurance? How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? (If you need help with this question, together look at Luke 11:5-13 for guidance.)