Who’d a Thunk It?

GETTING STARTED

“Think outside the box” is a common catchphrase that is used by many organizations to try and push people out of their traditional mindset. The phrase is a good reminder that, if we are not careful, we can quickly get into a rut of “small” thoughts. Whether we realize it or not, it can be easy to start off each day by putting God in a box as well.

  • In what areas of your life do you struggle to believe that God is able to work or bring change?

READ THE WORD: GENESIS 21:1-7 (ESV)

21:1 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What details in the first two verses highlight how significant a miracle Isaac is in Sarah’s life?
  2. How did Sarah respond to the fulfillment of God’s unbelievable promise of providing her a son (vss. 6-7)?
  3. Can you think of a time when you initially doubted God but later he did things you could have never imagined? What did he teach you during this time?
  4. Currently, where are you tempted to doubt God or his promises?

RESPOND TO GOD

God wants to give us great strength and perfect wisdom. He desires to give us a joy and a peace that are indescribable. He offers a life of purpose that is more fulfilling than anything we could ever imagine, but sometimes, it is hard to believe that God is bigger than the situation, the fear, or the need we have. Abraham and Sarah’s story in Genesis is about ordinary people stumbling through faith to live an extraordinary life filled with God and his promise. God called them to a life of progress, not perfection, and in the process gave them joy.

  • Take a moment to ask the Lord to expand your vision of what is possible in your relationship with him. 
  • End by praising him for being your perfect Father who always keeps his word and who loves you more than you could ever imagine!