Group Notes | December 10
The Point of Christmas Is: SACRIFICE
December 10, 2017
Matt Willmington and Dr. Harold Willmington
Open:
There is not a day that passes that we are not asked to make some type of sacrifice, whether it’s our time, money, a place in line or one where loss or cost is heavy. Can you think of an example to share?
We are in a series for December, asking “What’s the point of Christmas?” Today we will have Dr. Harold Willmington and his son, Matt Willmington, discuss how the Christmas story was one of a supreme gift, as God the Father sacrificed the life of His only Son, Jesus Christ, for sinners who are unworthy and uncaring. We will focus on Abraham and Isaac.
Focal Passage: Genesis 22:1-14.
Discuss:
The Testing
- Read Gen. 22:1. What are some pertinent facts you know of the life of Abraham? Why was he special to God?
- What does the Bible mean when it says God tested Abraham? Read Deut. 13:3b and Psalm 26:2. Why does God test you?
- Some versions translate the word “tested” as “tempted.” Read Matt. 4:1 and 1 Cor. 10:13. What is God looking for as He tests you? Who tempts you to do evil, and why?
The Ultimate Sacrifice
- Read verse 2. What was God asking Abraham to do?
- Put yourself in Abraham’s place, and imagine giving the life of your child, to obey a direct order from God? What would be some of your thoughts?
- Did God already know the outcome? Why would He ask Abraham to do this deed, as He knew what the result would be?
- Read verse 4. How many days did Abraham travel, expecting to fulfil God’s command. What was this a foreshadowing of (two thousand years later)?
Incredible Faith
- Read verses 5-10. As Isaac asked Abraham his amazingly perceptive question, what must Abraham have felt?
- Between the time God told him to go make the sacrifice, until verse 10 when he stretched out his hand to slaughter his son, had Abraham hesitated or argued with God? Do you believe he was unhesitatingly going to go through with it?
God Provides
- Read verses 11-14. What did God do to reward Abraham’s act of obedience?
- When has God asked something from you, and you have obeyed without hesitating or question?
ASK YOURSELF: WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO PUT ON THE ALTAR?
Close
This passage from the life of Abraham, recorded in the book of Genesis, evokes so many emotions from us as children of God. We may feel disbelief that God would ask such a difficult—seemingly impossible—act from one of His own. What would Sarah say when Abraham returned? What would the Gentiles in the area think? What precedent would it create for human sacrifice, among the Jewish nation? The closest we can get to understanding Abraham’s feelings is when our child enters the military during wartime. The thought of losing him to save a nation who detests what Christians stand for is almost impossible, yet we somehow do it.
Abraham was instant in his obedience, not faltering or hesitating when God gave the instruction. He put together the articles needed for the sacrifice, got his servants and donkeys, and headed for the place he knew God wanted him to go. What did he think about during those three days of travel? How did he feel when Isaac asked the penetrating question “Where is the sacrifice?”? Was his heart broken, or did he trust God was going to provide an alternative at the last moment? Have you wondered why God tested him? The testing is not because God doesn’t know what the outcome will be (for He always does), but often our final response will open our eyes as to how much we trust God when He asks something difficult of us. Has He asked something of you, and you failed? Did you realize you lacked the will to fully obey? Or did you pass, like Abraham, with flying colors? What do you have in your life right now that needs to be placed on the altar, so that you can be fully and whole-heartedly obedient? Be “Abraham’s seed” (Gal. 3:29) and be prompt to do His bidding!
Key Verse: Genesis 22:14: And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord, it shall be provided.” (NKJV)