From The Beginning: A Sign

Sermon Questions

Genesis 17:1-14

• ENGAGE

Does your name have special meaning or significance?

READ

• Read or summarize Genesis 17:1-14
• Share any observations or questions from the passage or the sermon.

REFLECT

• By what name did God reveal Himself in this passage? Why do you think God chose this specific name right before asking Abram to do something difficult and promising the humanly impossible? 
• Abram means “exalted father”. What does God change his name to, and what does his new name mean? This change occurs before the promised child has even been born. Why does God rename people before the promise is physically fulfilled? What are other examples in Scripture?
• What does the repetition in v. 6-8 tell us about God? What does the repetition in  v. 9-11 tell us about man? What  “you shall” commands are we to keep? 
• Verse 12 notes that even foreign servants bought with money were to be circumcised and included in the covenant. How does this foreshadow God’s ultimate plan to include all nations in His family? 

RESPOND

• Why are Biblical covenants important? Was the Abrahamic covenant a covenant of grace or works? What does the word "everlasting" tell us about the nature of God's commitment to His people, even when they fail?
• Why do you think God chose a physical, permanent, and deeply personal sign like circumcision to mark His covenant? What does Romans 2:29 tell us about circumcision? What are the marks of believers today?

PRAY 

Adoration
Confession
Thanksgiving
Supplication