One of the points of the lesson was:
Here are some more discussion questions for you to interact with:
This is a great story. It reveals some real tendencies of our hearts. We could just as easily been in the place of any of these characters. God has not changed since this story really happened or since it was recorded for us. What can we learn from this careful study of Scripture?
It would be easier for me just to preach at you for 45 minutes and I would get it and you might even understand my two main points. But by digging into the story yourself and thinking hard about what is REALLY going on here (below the surface facts) you will know this story. I am also convinced that as you place your hard work into understanding this portion of God's Word that he will give you an opportunity to see the principle in your life or in the life of someone around you. This passage will give you an opportuity to minister, to someone, the words of life.
Thanks for thinking outside of the Sunday School answers,
Pastor Mike
"You cannot change God"
Here are some more discussion questions for you to interact with:
- Do you believe that this is a true statement? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that this point can be made from this text/narrative?
- What "theology proper", or understanding of God's character and interaction with men, does this statement summarize? Why is this theology so important to your life?
- When you read this statement, can you think about any other persons in Scripture that tried to manipulate God? How did that work for them?
- How does this theological statement influence the way that you pray to God? Doesn't "prayer change things"? Doesn't the Bible promise "ask whatever you will in my name and it will be done unto you"?
- When we have a "serious head-on collision" with God and He doesn't change, what must be the outcome of such an encounter? What is the result of the "gravy meeting the road"?
- How is the faith of each of the characters affected as a result of this narrative? How do they come out of this encounter with God? Where is God, by the way, in this whole exchange? Why doesn't He step in and make a statement of truth and exposure/censure?
This is a great story. It reveals some real tendencies of our hearts. We could just as easily been in the place of any of these characters. God has not changed since this story really happened or since it was recorded for us. What can we learn from this careful study of Scripture?
It would be easier for me just to preach at you for 45 minutes and I would get it and you might even understand my two main points. But by digging into the story yourself and thinking hard about what is REALLY going on here (below the surface facts) you will know this story. I am also convinced that as you place your hard work into understanding this portion of God's Word that he will give you an opportunity to see the principle in your life or in the life of someone around you. This passage will give you an opportuity to minister, to someone, the words of life.
Thanks for thinking outside of the Sunday School answers,
Pastor Mike
4 comments:
I definitely believe God is unchangeable but that is far from the lesson I would pull out of this story. If anyone would like to volunteer how this story teaches this I would be very interested in your in sight!
But the question I really find interesting is if we have a head on collision with God and God is unchanging what is gonna happen. Well, the options are we will change or we will get left behind!
I think just about everyone in youth group is saved and says that therefore they love God, so if all that is true why would we have serious head on collision with God? Because we havent gotten completely rid of self yet. So if one of us does come to the point where we are in disagreement with what God tells us I guess that is where you really find out where you are "at" with God. He isnt gonna change....we know that so then naturally wouldnt we change.....or would we walk away?
I guess that is my question.....or maybe it is a challenge for the other teens from our group....how much do you love God? Enough to give up what you want when He tells you to?
Jac
Oh, by the way I just wanted to say that all my wonderful teen friends can feel free to comment as well! You know I hate to be the only one! And I am just as interested as the leaders to know what you think! :-) So please leave a comment!
I hope this whole peer pressure thing works cause I am getting pretty lonely commenting all by myself! :-)
Jac
Jacq-
You have assessed the situation accurately. We will indeed either change or miss out. But sometimes, we bounce off of a head on colission and back up and try harder. We refuse to change. And God doesn't go away. He in fact probably takes away our back up room. He closes us in. He makes the opportunities smaller. Not because He is a bully. but because He wants to grow us.
I'm not sure about the preaching Jacq! :) God does love us. And we do love Him. BUT we often disconnect love from obedience. Obedience and love are inextricably linked.
PM
Here's the unchangeable angle. Isaac tried to change the blessing pattern. God had another plan and He didn't change his plan. God didn't have to react to the "curve ball" that Isaac threw.
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