Origins Part 2: Friend of God Study Guide

As we closed out our epic summer journey through the life of Abraham this past weekend, we studied Genesis 25. In this message, Pastor Doug explored Abraham’s legacy.

Watch the video below to see a few highlights from the teaching and share it with your friends via social media. To watch the message in its entirety, click here.


FOR THE NOTE TAKERS

Let’s recap some of the key talking points from Pastor Doug’s message this weekend:

A Friend of God Takes Risks (Genesis 25:1–5, 10): Faith is dangerous; it requires trust. In your life, do you truly trust the Lord? Do you trust Him with every area of your life? Abraham did! He left his home, believed that the Lord would give him and Sarah, who were both well advanced in years and childless, a son, and that He would fulfill His promises regarding land and legacy. He even trusted that Isaac would return with him down the mountain after the Lord had instructed to sacrifice his son. Abraham walked in true obedience to God because he had full confidence and genuine faith in Him.

What about you? Where in your life have you taken risks and stepped out in faith? Where is God calling you right now to walk by faith and not by sight?

A Friend of God Takes Time to Reflect: Abraham reflected often on all that God had done in and through his life. He took time to soak in and experience awe; he enjoyed walking with God! He constantly set up altars of sacrifice and worship unto the Lord, and at the same time he also lived in the moment of what God was doing in his life—both the triumphant and the testing. Isaac did the same.

Are you taking the time to reflect? Are you being intentional about slowing down, stopping in order to soak in the work of the Lord and the revelation of the Lord in your life through both the mountaintop and valley seasons? Are you living in the moment and allowing the Lord to work in and through you? Or are you stuck in the past, unable to move past it?

How often do you take moments to soak in and share in God’s work and promises with your loved ones?

A Friend of God Lives with Eternity in View: A true friend of God sees the world beyond the temporary. They aren’t consumed by the things of this world; they’re not slaves to earthly possessions, status, wealth, and pleasures. Why? Because, as Paul says in Colossians 3:2 (ESV), a friend of God has set their hearts and minds “on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Abraham lived this.

With all of Abraham’s success in this world, with all the riches and material blessings he has, with all the status, land, and power he’d accumulated over the years, he never made it about himself. He remained humble, surrendered, and obedient to the will and work of God. His possessions didn’t own him, nor did the perceptions of others move him; only the voice of the Lord did. Abraham understood fully that this world was not his home. He was a sojourner, a stranger in a foreign land. He knew his true citizenship was not of this world.

How are you living in view of eternity? Are you living for this world and its kingdoms and wealth and pleasures? Or is your heart set on and seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Are you consumed by the things of this world, the temporal, and storing up treasures for yourself on earth? Or are you, as Jesus instructed in Matthew 6:20–21 (ESV), storing up “treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What are you spending your time on that will live on after you die? What legacy are you leaving?

Quote to Remember: Trust is making something that’s important to you vulnerable to someone else.—Pastor Doug Sauder


QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

As you think about this weekend’s teaching, here are a few questions to reflect on and consider on your own, with your family, or in your group.

1. What does it look like to take risks at it pertains to your faith? How are you walking in obedience and trusting in the Lord?

2. What area(s) in your life, if any, are you not fully trusting in the Lord? What’s causing you to hold on? 

3. What would it look like to relinquish control of this/these area(s)?

4. How often do you take the time to reflect? Why is it important to reflect? 

5. What does it mean to live with eternity in view? 

6. In what areas are you currently living for the world? What would it look like to release these areas and live as a citizen of heaven?


A LOOK AHEAD

Join us this Wednesday as CCA Director of Discipleship Steve Mayo shares a powerful word.

This weekend will be a memorable one here at Calvary! On Saturday morning, Pastor Doug Sauder will be joined by Dr. Juli Slattery, renowned expert on sexuality and biblical truth, for a special event titled “Rethinking Sexuality.” At this event, which will consist of four sessions and a time of Q&A, Dr. Slattery and Pastor Doug will equip us to understand and embrace the bigger picture of sexuality and walk in God’s promises and plan.

Then, at our weekend services, Dr. Slattery and Pastor Doug will continue the discussion as we kick off our three-week series, “Sexuality and the Gospel.”

About the Author

Danny Saavedra

Danny Saavedra is a licensed minister who has served on staff at Calvary since 2012, managing the Calvary Devotional and digital discipleship resources. He has a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Liberty Theological Seminary. His wife Stephanie, son Jude, and daughter Zoe share a love of Star Wars, good food, having friends over for dinner, and studying the Word together as a family.