Genesis 11:27-13:18 & 1 Cor 13:9-
12
The Genesis account
tells of Abraham’s early
journey –
In places:
Ur – Haran – Shechem
Ai – Egypt – Hebron
And altars:
Shechem
Ai &
Hebron
What can we learn from
the early life of a great
spiritual nomad?
Paul sets out some
principles of progress in
1 Corinthians 13.
In three statements he
reminds us of the three
hallmarks of real
Christian progress:
Progress is . . .
. . .Certain (9,10)
. . .Maturity (11)
. . .Clarity (12)
The background to all
such progress is LOVE.
Bristol Road Baptist Church – Group Bible Study Notes – 25 May 2008 – David A. Green
Try to answer the questions marked with an asterisk * in
each or in one section.
1. There is a background to Abram’s faith – see Acts 7:2-5 – what part did
his father play in his progress? (11:30; 12:5) How does our background
inform our pilgrimage?
2. What other family influences were there in Abram’s progress? (11:31)
(12:11 13:6+11) *
3. In Abram’s early journeys there were six places – but only three altars.
What does that say about his progress? (12:7 12:8 13:4 13:18)
4. Even the greatest of believers are derailed by crisis and learn to come
back. How is this illustrated in these chapters? *
5. Abram’s detour is repeated later in Genesis (Ch.20) – what does this tell
us (a) about his family’s influence on his progress, and (b) about his
particular weakness in this regard?
6. At what points in the narrative does God speak to Abram – and why? *
7. Altars are the stepping stones to spiritual progress : what is the
significance of each of the three altars. [See question 3 for reff.] *
8. Someone has said that the physical presence of these altars in Canaan
was a witness to the surrounding peoples. Do you agree – and how do
they mark out Abram’s God given territory?
9. What other altar in the story of Abram has to be included?
1. Everything changes (v8) – what remains constant? (13) *
2. In which direction does spiritual progress move? (9) and (11) *
3. What are the certainties of spiritual progress? (9,11,12,13) *
4. The growing pains of spiritual development – what are the three aspects
of my life that are to be marked by spiritual maturity? (v11) *
5. What do the verses say to the believer who is facing difficulty? (12) *
6. In how many different ways can you render the meaning of “through a
glass darkly” – the AV of verse 12? Be creative. If necessary consult
other translations.
7. Compare Paul’s teaching with the experience of Abram. A journey
marked by peril and uncertainty, diversion and coming back; places
visited and altars erected. How does Abram’s story illustrate Paul’s
teaching?
8. In what ways did Abram see only “a poor reflection as in a mirror”? See
Hebrews 11:8-10.
9. How does love influence a child’s growth – and spiritual growth?
Compare the effect of love in family life with love in the Christian life.
How should that love be evident in church growth?