Have you ever asked God, “How can I know?” Abraham did too. Today, we look at Genesis 15 and see how God responds, not just with words, but with a covenant that reveals His loyal love. His promises aren’t dependent on our perfection, and they don’t come without hardship, but they are secure because of who He is. If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, waiting, or uncertainty, this text speaks directly to that. Let's walk through it together.

Genesis 15:1-17

God's Covenant with Abram

15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.

7 And He said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” 9 He said to him, “Bring Me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. 11 And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

12 As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. 16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you were waiting on something important and didn’t know how it would turn out? What did that feel like?

2. Where in your life are you currently asking, “God, how can I know?”

3. How does it change your view of God to know His promises don’t ultimately depend on your faithfulness?

4. What would it look like for you to show “loyal love” to someone when it’s not easy or convenient?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Genesis 15:1-17 together.

2. Instead of being angry at Abram’s doubt, God takes him outside and repeats his promise (v. 5). How might this help us understand God’s heart toward us when we experience doubt?

3. In those days, people walked between split animals to seal a promise. But only God (as a smoking pot/flaming torch) passed through in v17, while Abram slept. What does it mean that God alone took on the responsibility to keep the promise?

4. How does this story help us see that God’s love depends on His faithfulness, not our perfection?

5. Abram had to wait a long time to see the promise come true. What is something you are waiting for God to do? How can you trust Him while you wait? Pray together and ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust Him.