Today’s message is for you if you are experiencing a time of testing or you have come to a place where you might be wondering, “Will God provide for my needs?” Pastor John focuses on a climactic moment in the life of Abraham (and his son, Isaac). It was a time of testing. Thankfully, the Lord would bring him to a place where God’s promise was: “The Lord will provide.” And He did! May each of us discover that place today!

Genesis 22:1-19
The Sacrifice of Isaac

22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy[a] will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”;[b] as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his[d] enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba. And Abraham lived at Beersheba.

For Adult Homes and Groups
1. Read Genesis 22:1-14. Share about a time in your life that you felt God was testing you to trust Him to provide for your needs.
2. What kinds of “Isaacs” or good things do people often make into “idols”? What “Isaacs” can you identify as potential idols in your own life?
3. Abraham made a bold proclamation of faith when told to sacrifice his only son. He said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” Indeed, God provided the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world – Jesus Christ. How have you experienced God’s provision in your life?
4. Read Malachi 3:10. Have you ever “tested” God and experienced His miraculous provision? Share your story with the group.
5. God is able. These words are worth stating over and over again in faith. God is able. He will generously provide all you need. (See 2 Corinthians 9:8-11a). Is there a place, a person, or a family God has put on your heart or your group’s heart to be that “place of provision” for this month?

For Families with Kids
1. Have everyone in your family share one thing they need in life. Try to distinguish needs from wants.
2. When was a time that God provided for a need that you had?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 with your family. Ask your kids to explain the verse back to you in their own words.
4. Bonus Activity: This week, pray that God would show you someone with a need that your family can help provide for.