BEAUTY FROM ASHES: REDEEMING YOUR BROKEN MOMENTS

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1 BEAUTY FROM ASHES: REDEEMING YOUR BROKEN MOMENTS 82

2 No two human beings are exactly alike. Each of us has a unique personality, background, life experience, and even DNA. But we all share something in common: We ve all made mistakes, and we ve all failed. Whether it s a speeding ticket, a bad business decision, or a failed marriage, we all know the pain of regrets and hurts. We often struggle with the consequences of our actions, feeling burned and abandoned in a pile of ashes after everything went up in flames. Yet, in these broken moments, Jesus comes to us with tenderness and grace, offering to do something beautiful in us and through us, for His glory and the good of others. Christ extends forgiveness for our sins. He offers mercy in the midst of our mess. Jesus has come to give us a crown of beauty instead of ashes (Isa. 61:3). This study looks at the lives of six people from Scripture whose actions were wrong, but in spite of their failures, they experienced God s redemption. Clayton King Clayton is an evangelist, pastor, author, and founder and president of Crossroads Summer Camps, Crossroads Missions, and Clayton King Ministries. He s passionate about preaching the gospel, training leaders, and serving the church. Clayton is married to Sharie, and together they wrote True Love Project. Their ministry is located at Anderson University in South Carolina where he is Distinguished Professor of Evangelism. 83

3 Connect to Christ, Community, and Cul ture As you lead your group in this study, help them to know CHRIST and His gracious work, live as contributing servants in the COMMUNITY of faith, and effectively engage the CULTURE without losing distinction. Note in the group plans the icons (below), which identify activities to help group members connect in specific ways to Christ, Community, and Culture. Christ Community Culture Christ Jesus is able to deliver us from our past, no matter the sin or circumstances. Our relationship with Christ is reflected in our obedience to His Word. 84

4 Community We are to exercise humility in how we interact and work together as the body of Christ. We should be content and thankful for the role God has given us in His church. Culture The world needs to see believers who make a bold stand for Christ. A life content in Christ is a sharp contrast to the selfish ambition that permeates the world. Helping you move from where you are to where God wants you to be. This is your passion for your class or group. Yet helping different individuals each take their next step to grow as disciples is challenging. The Transformational Discipleship Assessment (TDA) is a quick and easy tool to help you discover how you and the members of your group are doing in eight essential areas of discipleship. The TDA provides next steps to help your group move from where you are to where God wants you to be. The assessment is online which allows each group participant to complete it in the comfort and privacy of their homes, offices, or even on their mobile devices. Discover more at TDA.LifeWay.com. 85

5 GET INTO THE STUDY 10 minutes GUIDE: Call attention to the contents page (PSG, p. 3). Note that today the group begins a six-session study on how God redeems our broken moments in life. Review the titles. (ENHANCEMENT: Note the session titles on Pack Item 5: Beauty From Ashes. ) Note the picture (PSG, p. 82). DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 82): When have your plans not turned out the way you hoped? GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 83). Note the emphasis on waiting. Acknowledge the old proverb, All good things come to those who wait. Note that seniors know the value of patience more than most. Note The Point (PSG, p. 83): God s plans are always better than our own. Explain that in today s session we learn about a senior adult who discovered that waiting on God is always best. SESSION 7 REDEEMED FROM POOR CHOICES The Point God s plans are always better than our own. The Bible Meets Life Sometimes we re convinced we just know the right thing to do, but we discover our decision was ill advised. We make a mess of our lives when we get ahead of God or ignore His counsel. Even when we move away from God s will, God is bigger than our mistakes. When we refocus on Him and return to a trust relationship, God can still work in us and through us. The Passage Genesis 15:1-6; 16:1-5; 17:18-19 The Setting God called Abram to leave his relatives and his homeland for a land that God would show him. In addition to giving Abram the land, God promised to bless Abram, make his name great, and to make him into a great nation (Gen. 12:1-3; Acts 7:2-4). So Abram left his homeland and settled in the land of Canaan. God made a covenant with Abram, promising him that he would have a son, from whom would come countless descendants (Gen. 15:1-5). But Abram and his wife Sarai were advanced in years, and Sarai remained childless. Abram struggled with the tension between God s promises for the future and his present reality. 86 Session 7

6 1 Genesis is the book of beginnings. In a sense, chapters 1 11 are introductory, setting the stage for chapters 12 50, the beginnings of salvation history with God s choosing the Hebrews, through whom He would bless all the peoples on earth (Gen. 12:3). Genesis 11:10 32 introduces Abram and gives the lineage of Terah, Abram s father. God communicated to Abram that he was to leave Ur of the Chaldeans (see 15:7; Acts 7:2-4). With his wife Sarai, his father Terah, and his nephew Lot, Abram set out for Canaan (Gen. 11:31). When they came to Haran, they settled there. In time, however, God called Abram to travel to a location He would show him, thus setting His redemptive plan in motion. God made a covenant with Abram: He would bless Abram, make him a great nation, and bless humanity through him (12:1-3). Abram took Sarai, Lot, and all his possessions and journeyed to Canaan. After a time, to escape a famine he went into Egypt (12:4-20). On returning to southern Canaan, Abram and Lot separated. Lot chose to live in the Jordan Valley, so Abram settled in Canaan proper (13:1-18). In time, marauding kings took Lot and his family captive, and Abram rescued them (ch. 14). Genesis 15:1-6 1 After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great. 2 But Abram said, Lord God, what can You give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? 3 Abram continued, Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir. 4 Now the word of the Lord came to him: This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir. 5 He took him outside and said, Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them. Then He said to him, Your offspring will be that numerous. STUDY THE BIBLE Genesis 15: minutes GUIDE: Before reading the focal passage, use the Bible commentary 1 to introduce Abram and the events that preceded what occurs in the focal passage. (ENHANCEMENT: Use Pack Item 6: Abraham in Canaan to help the group understand Abram s movements. Study the map IN ADVANCE and use as desired throughout the session.) READ: Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 15:1-6. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF APRIL 17 87

7 THE POINT God s plans are always better than our own. SUMMARIZE: In the ancient world, every father hoped for a son, for it was through the son the family lived on from generation to generation. Sons received blessing, inheritance, and favor. And they gave their mothers and fathers grandchildren, the hope of future generations. Sarai had been unable to have any children, and at the time God promised to make a great nation of Abram, she was 65 and Abram was 75. Despite how seemingly impossible it was, Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness (v. 6). It was Abram s faith that God recognized. 6 Abram believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness. KEY WORD: Credited (v. 6) The Hebrew word translated credited means to reckon, or to count. In God s estimation, Abram s faith had the value of righteousness right standing with Him. Trust what God tells you. Verse 1. After Abram returned to his dwelling place near the oaks belonging to Mamre (see 14:13), he received a message of reassurance from God in a vision. At first reading, the admonition do not be afraid may seem to refer to Abram s fear of reprisal from the kings he had defeated in rescuing Lot (ch. 14). More likely, however, God was referring to Abram s fear that Sarai would not bear him a child in fulfillment of God s promise to give Abram descendants (make him a great nation, 12:2). Although the word shield could convey the idea of protection from harm, it probably has the sense of God s guardianship, of Abram s being able to continue securely in his relationship with God. God promised that Abram s reward would be very great. Verse 2. When God alluded to the great reward Abram could expect, Abram s thoughts went to what he wanted most and had not received. Abram had been in Canaan for 10 years (see 16:3), waiting for God to keep His promise to give him descendants. Abram s question reflected a cautious, reverent approach: Lord God, what can You give me? The word Lord carries the idea of master, and the term God is the self-designation of Deity God had revealed to His people. Abram did not question God s ability but expressed his natural perplexity and concern. Time had passed since Abram had answered God s call and received His covenant, yet Abram was still childless. At some point during Abram s long wait, he had designated Eliezer, his household slave, as his legal heir. The implication of Abram s designating Eliezer as his heir is that the patriarch had grown impatient and concerned at God s delay in fulfilling His promise of natural descendants. Verse 3. Either in the form of a mild complaint or of an impassioned request, Abram reminded God He had not 88 Session 7

8 delivered on His promise of offspring, specifically a son who would continue Abram s family line and through whom many descendants ultimately would come. Abram called God s attention to the prospect of his remaining childless. The phrase a slave born in my house can be rendered a servant in my household. Abram was not comfortable with the possibility that Eliezer, a slave, would inherit his estate. Verse 4. God responded to Abram s concern. The Hebrew word rendered now literally is and behold, drawing attention to the word of the Lord that came to Abram. The covenant-keeping God (Yahweh) would deliver on His promise to give Abram a natural heir. God solemnly declared He would keep His word. The phrase this one refers to Eliezer, Abram s slave and designated heir. Instead has the force of a sharp contradiction: but rather. Not Eliezer but a son from Abram s own body would be Abram s heir. Through normal marital relations with his wife Sarai, Abram would father a son. Verse 5. Evidently Abram had been in his tent at night when God appeared to him in a vision (see 15:1). After God responded to Abram s request/complaint with the reassurance He would keep His promise of giving him offspring, God took Abram outside and directed him to focus his attention on the heavens starry canopy. God challenged Abram to count the starry host. The words if you are able to count them underline the impossibility of doing so. Then God assured Abram his offspring would be as numerous as the stars, too many to count. Verse 6. Buoyed by God s reassurance, Abram believed the Lord. Abram trusted God to keep His word; he stood firm on God s promise. The Hebrew term translated believed occurs here for the first time in the Scriptures and has the sense of Abram s relying on God as One who is true, stable, trustworthy, and faithful. It conveys the idea of Abram s having firm confidence in God. The word s form expresses Abram s settled trust in God that continued throughout his lifetime. Abram s faith was implied in his obeying God s call to journey from Haran to Canaan (see 12:4). His belief (trust) at this time (15:6) was an expression of his ongoing faith. God s response to Abram s affirmation of faith is one of the key statements in the Scriptures. The Lord credited it [Abram s belief] to him as righteousness. Because of Abram s trust in God, God considered Abram to be in right standing with Him. GUIDE: Emphasize that God still speaks to His people today, through His Word and His Spirit, and through other believers. God still challenges us to step out in faith to do things we may never have done before. Remark that God often does not show us the entire picture in intricate detail; His desire is that we exercise faith as Abram did (Heb. 11:8-10). DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 85): What expectations do we typically have when we take steps to follow God s leading? (Alternate: How do people sometimes respond when God s leading seems vague?) TRANSITION: Trusting God requires us to be patient and to refrain from taking matters into our own hands. 89

9 THE POINT God s plans are always better than our own. STUDY THE BIBLE Genesis 16: minutes SUMMARIZE: Before reading the focal passage, summarize the material in the introductory paragraph in the Bible commentary 2. READ: Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 16:1-5. GUIDE: Note that it had been 10 years since God had made His promise to Abram. Explain that in her impatience, Sarai decided to implement an accepted custom of the time. Christians would consider Sarai s suggestion and Abram s acting on it to be immoral. The arrangement violated God s standard of monogamy. In Abram s and Sarai s culture, however, their actions were accepted practice. A childless wife could give her female slave to her husband as a secondary wife for the purpose of producing a male heir. Genesis 16:1-5 1 Abram s wife Sarai had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar. 2 Sarai said to Abram, Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family. And Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So Abram s wife Sarai took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband Abram as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan 10 years. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she realized that she was pregnant, she treated her mistress with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the Lord judge between me and you. KEY WORDS: Through her (v. 2) According to the custom of the time, Sarai would adopt a son born of Abram s union with Hagar and that son would become the family s heir, replacing Eliezer. Don t take matters into your own hands. 2 After God reassured Abram he would have a son, the Lord repeated His promise to give Canaan to Abram (15:7; see 12:7). Abram asked for proof of the promise s fulfillment, whereupon God directed him to prepare sacrificial animals. As Abram slept deeply, God revealed that Abram s descendants would be enslaved in a foreign land but would return to Canaan (15:8-16). Then God made a covenant with Abram in which He promised to give Canaan to Abram s offspring (vv ). 90 Session 7

10 Verse 1. Abram s wife Sarai, who had been introduced in Genesis 11:29, was concerned that she had not borne any children. Doubtless, she was aware of God s promise of offspring for Abram. She may have wondered whether she or another wife would bear the promised son. Ten years had gone by, and she had not become pregnant. She and Abram were advanced in age. Also, no doubt her childlessness was a stigma she bore. She settled on a plan to solve her problem of childlessness. Probably during her and Abram s earlier stay in Egypt (see 12:10-20), Sarai acquired an Egyptian slave named Hagar. In her impatience and anxiety, Sarai implemented an accepted custom of the time. Verse 2. Sarai believed the Lord had prevented her from bearing children. She suggested Abram have sexual relations with Sarai s slave Hagar in the hope that through her Sarai could build a family (extend the family line). Abram agreed to Sarai s suggestion. He listened to her proposal and approved of it. Perhaps he reasoned that if he fathered a son by Hagar, that child would come from his own body, as God had promised earlier (see 15:4). Interestingly, Abram agreed to Sarai s proposal without consulting God. He had some growing to do in his faith. Today, Christians would consider Sarai s suggestion and Abram s acting on it to be immoral. Indeed, the arrangement did violate God s standard of monogamy. In Sarai s time, however, their actions were accepted practice. A childless wife could give her female slave to her husband as a secondary wife for the purpose of producing a male heir. Verse 3. With Abram s approval, Sarai gave Hagar to him as his second wife. The Hebrew words translated took and gave make clear that Abram and Hagar were married; she was his wife, not a concubine. She would have been second in rank to Sarai. No mention is made of Abram s affection or love for Hagar. This was a marriage for the practical purpose of producing a son. The notation that this event occurred after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan 10 years probably indicates Abram and Sarai s shared concern and impatience as they waited for the fulfillment of God s promise they would have a son. Their anxiety grew as the years passed. Today, we have the advantage over Abram of knowing the rest of the story. He was about 86 years old when he took Hagar as a second wife and had waited 10 years for God to act on his behalf. His anxiety is understandable; he was as human as we are and shared the whole range of human emotions. In his dilemma he took matters into his own SAY: When we grow weary of waiting on God s promise, we often take matters into our own hands. Note the PSG author s reference to the time between God s promise and the payoff. This is the process. (See p. 87.) Explain that the process: 1) reveals our insecurities, fears, and selfishness; 2) teaches us patience and brings growth and maturity; 3) is what God uses to change us and transform us as we learn to trust Him more fully. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 87): How would it change our experience of waiting if we embraced the process? (Alternate: How have you experienced spiritual growth during a time of waiting?) 91

11 THE POINT God s plans are always better than our own. DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to Embrace the Process (PSG, p.88). SUMMARIZE: Call attention to verses 4-5. The plan wasn t working out. Animosity grew between Hagar and Sarai. Then Sarai turned on Abram. Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she ran away. She stopped by a spring in the desert, where an angel appeared to her and directed her to return to Sarai. The angel said she would bear a son she was to name Ishmael ( God hears ). Hagar returned to Sarai and bore Abram s son (16:6-16). Note that when God isn t moving fast enough to please us, or when the details aren t falling into place as we want them to, we assume we can make things happen on our own. Then when things fall apart, we realize our mistake. hands, first by designating Eliezer as his heir and then later by agreeing to take Hagar as a wife to produce a son. Verse 4. Abram had sexual relations with his new wife Hagar, and she conceived. When she became aware of her pregnancy, she treated her mistress with contempt. The phrase treat with contempt can have the sense of despising or dishonoring someone, of considering someone to be of little account. Hagar felt superior to Sarai and made no effort to hide her attitude. To use a common figure of speech, she looked down on Sarai. Verse 5. Hagar s air of superiority infuriated Sarai, and she turned on Abram. She charged that he was responsible for her suffering. Jealousy and injured pride may have caused her to lash out. An alternate view is that Sarai was not blaming Abram but was merely emphasizing his duty to correct the situation. Sarai acknowledged she had facilitated Hagar s pregnancy; she facilitated Abram s having sexual relations with Hagar. Sarai repeated what had been stated in the previous verse, that from the moment Hagar discovered she was pregnant, she had wronged Sarai by treating her as an inferior. With the words, May the Lord judge between me and you, Sarai called on God to determine who was right concerning the situation with Hagar and to settle the matter. In response to Sarai s demand that Abram deal with Hagar, he responded that Hagar was Sarai s slave and Sarai could do with her as she wished. Literally, Abram was right. Sarai retained authority over Hagar and could exercise that authority. The sense of Abram s words is not that Sarai was free to do anything she wished to Hagar but that she treat the slave properly. Sarai, however, mistreated Hagar so harshly that she ran away. She stopped by a spring in the desert, where an angel appeared to her and directed her to return to Sarai. The angel told her she would bear a son she was to name Ishmael ( God hears ). Hagar returned to Sarai and bore Abram s son (16:6-16). TRANSITION: When we realize we have fouled things up, it s time to refocus on God s plan. 92 Session 7

12 Genesis 17: So Abraham said to God, If only Ishmael were acceptable to You! 19 But God said, No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his future offspring. STUDY THE BIBLE Genesis 17: minutes READ: Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 17: KEY WORD: Covenant (v. 19) The Hebrew term means treaty, alliance, or agreement. Parity covenants were made between equals; others, called suzerainty covenants, were made by a superior with binding obligations placed on an inferior party. Refocus on God s plan. 3 Verse 18. Abraham voiced an impassioned plea to God: If only Ishmael were acceptable to You! Literally, Abraham pleaded that Ishmael might live before God in the sense of experiencing God s favor or blessing. One interpretation of Abraham s words is that he was asking God to work through the son he already had. An alternate view is that Abraham was not asking that Ishmael be the promised son instead of one born to Sarah; rather, he was asking that Ishmael not be excluded from God s covenant promises. In either view, Abraham expressed his concern for Ishmael. Evidently, he loved his son deeply. Verse 19. The word no translates a Hebrew word that can mean no, but. If that is the proper rendering, God turned down Abraham s request that He work out the covenant through Ishmael to give Abraham descendants. The Hebrew term also can mean verily or of a truth. If that is the correct reading, God emphatically assured Abraham Sarah would bear the son of promise. God directed that Sarah s son be named Isaac, which means he laughs, and reflects Abraham s laughter when God declared Sarah would bear a son (see 17:17). (Later, Sarah also would laugh silently at the promise that she and Abraham would have a son [see 18:12].) Isaac s name stressed that his birth would be a source of genuine, great joy. In addition, God would confirm (make, establish, ratify) His covenant with Isaac and his offspring; it would be an everlasting covenant. GUIDE: Note in verse 18 Abraham was still struggling. Use the Bible commentary 3 to explain the two interpretations of Abraham s words. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 89): In what ways do we try to control our own lives? GUIDE: Isaac arrived when Abraham and Sarah were, respectively, ages 100 and 90. From Isaac came the nation of Israel, from which came Jesus. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 90): How can you develop deeper trust in God s timing and God s plans? (Alternate: What does this passage reveal to you about the heart of God?) 93

13 THE POINT God s plans are always better than our own. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: God s plans are always better than our own. Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 91; see text to the right). Invite group members to think about which application speaks most to their needs. Emphasize the importance of remaining totally dependent on God to fulfill His plans for our lives. Wrap It Up GUIDE: Comment that even when we are impatient, God remains patient with us. LIVE IT OUT Abram and Sarai were senior adults struggling with the temptation to help bring about God s plan by their own efforts. Yet they discovered that God was patient even when they were impatient. How is God speaking to you during this session? Consider one application below that He is leading you to adopt this week. > > Accept God s plan of salvation. Perhaps your plans to gain fulfillment in life have never been realized because you have left God out of your plans. Today, turn to Christ in faith and accept His offer of forgiveness and eternal life. His is the ultimate plan for life and fulfillment both now and forever. > > Thank God. Take time to review how God has been faithful to you down through the years even when you were impatient or tried to do things your own way. Write down what you recall. Then note similarities of God s working in each. Each morning, pray this line from the hymn: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. > > Commit to God s call. Offer yourself to God this week to do whatever He wants to do with you. Invite a friend to pray with you. Discuss with your friend what God shows you, and ask your friend to hold you accountable to follow through with your commitment. PRAY: Ask God for the strength to trust Him in all things and to resist the temptation to run ahead of Him with our own plans. 94 Session 7

14 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/LOUISE KOHL SMITH Beehive houses at Haran, which is located in modern southwestern Turkey. offspring and to make them a great nation. In addition, through Abram God would bless all the peoples on earth. Further, God would curse his enemies and bless those who blessed him (vv. 2-7). Abram met his new neighbors and their many gods, the polytheistic Canaanites, who worshiped gods of fertility, grain, love, war, and plagues. Dedicated individuals practiced divination, human sacrifice, and serpent worship. SHARING THE GOOD NEWS All of us not only make mistakes but cross the line with God. When we trust in Him for salvation, He takes even those poor choices and uses them for good. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. The following excerpt is from the article Abraham s Family: An Overview (Sum. 2013), which relates to this session and can be found on the DVD in the Leader Pack. After Terah died, the Lord commanded Abram to leave Haran (Gen. 11:27-12:1). So, Abram, Sarai, and Lot obeyed (12:1-5). In Canaan, Abram, demonstrating his leadership role for the family, built an altar for worship. God promised Read the article Eliezer, Abraham s Faithful Steward in the Spring 2016 issue. Previous articles Covenant as a Biblical Theme (Sum. 2013), Canaan in the Patriarchal Age (Spr. 2008), Isaac (Win. 1993), and Ishmael (Fall 1987) relate to this session and can be purchased at biblicalillustrator. Look for Biblical Illustrator for Bible Studies for Life. Subscribe to Biblical Illustrator at or call See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. to give the land to Abram s > > Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesFor Life). >Grow > with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (lifeway.com/groupministry). > > Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesFor Life.com/blog. 95

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