Connect
Is there any area in your life—in which you feel a disconnect between expectation and reality—that you need to bring to the Lord in order that you can renew your trust in his faithfulness?
Warm-Up
What types of decisions do you make in daily life? What are the bigger ones you have had to make?
How do you think our daily decision-making can be an expression of depending on God?
Read Genesis 13:5-18
What has happened just prior to this situation? What is happening now?
Who was Lot? Are Lot and Abram similar in any ways? How are they different?
What was the source of quarrelling? Does this sort of thing still cause quarrels today?
How is it evident that Abram: seeks peace over conflict; relies on God’s provision rather than how much he can possess; and prefers grace rather than exercising rights?
Is there any current situation in which you’re finding it difficult to seek peace, rely on God’s provision, or express grace? How might others pray to help you in this?
What criteria does Lot seem to use to make his decision? What warning signs are there?
What criteria does our culture encourage us to make decisions by? How should we be different?
What sort of criteria should we use to make our decisions? Are you ever tempted to rely on material things for comfort or security?
What would it look like to make one shift, in one area of your life, that would help express or enable your dependence on God?
Read Genesis 14:14-16 and 18-24
What has happened to Lot? How does Abram respond to Lot’s situation?
Why do you think Abram was motivated to rescue Lot? How does Lot’s (relatively undeserving!) rescue compare with how God has rescued us?
Why wouldn’t Abram take the gifts that were offered to him? How was this glorifying of God?
Who was Melchizedek? How is Melchizedek described here?
Read Hebrews 7:23-27.
‍In what way does the writer of the letter say Melchizdek points to Jesus?
Why is it such phenomenal news that Jesus is the ultimate King and ultimate Priest (and sacrifice)?
How does Jesus show us God’s dependability and help us to depend on him?
Apply
What would it look like to make one shift—in one area of your life—that would help express or enable your dependence on God?

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On Your Front Line this Week
How can you demonstrate generosity this week to someone on your frontline?
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For Families
• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
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Listen, Watch, and Read
• Listen: “Called to be a Blessing” by Hugh Palmer:
https://bit.ly/4cMGwZb
• Listen: “Genesis 11:27-12:20” by Andrew Sach:
https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/53633/
• Listen: “The Patriarch (Abraham and Christ)” by John Stott:
https://bit.ly/3U9T4CY
• Listen: “The Cost of Mission” by Tim Keller:
https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-cost-of-mission/
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Series Resources
• Website: All of the resources from our earlier series on Genesis Part I: The Beginnings of Grace:
https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/genesis
• Watch: “Genesis 12-50” by the Bible Project:
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-12-50/
• Watch: “How should we read the Old Testament? with Chris Wright” by Questioning Christianity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJtba-JyPVg
• Read: “Genesis - Kidner Classic Commentary Series” by Derek Kidner:
https://koorong.com/product/genesis-kidner-classic-commentaries-series--derek-kidner_9781789741001