Leader Guide

Bible Study

In our Bible story today, Abraham was asked to obey God. If Abraham obeyed God, he would be greatly blessed with countless descendants. When we trust and obey God, our lives will be abundantly blessed. Let’s dig into some more verses where God promises He will act if we trust and obey. Have children look up and read the verses aloud. Lead a discussion using the questions below. Feel free to add any questions that you think will facilitate deeper discussion with your particular group.

Genesis 22:13–14 (nkjv):

¹³ Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Ask:

• What did Abraham need to be provided by God? A sacrifice for the burnt offering.
• Why do you think it was important for Abraham to travel to the exact mountain and place where God instructed him to go? God’s provision is tied to obedience—being where we are to be when He wants us to be there. The ram was in that place.
• What did Abraham call that place?The Lord Will Provide.
• Why is it important to remember times when God miraculously provides exactly what we need in the time we need it?Builds our faith. We can trust God in greater things. Helps us to be fully persuaded and convinced God is our provider. Helps us to not worry in the future.
• What do you think Isaac took away from this adventure? How do you think it affected his faith?

Exodus 16:4–5,11–15,17–18:

⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. ⁵ On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual...” ¹¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹² “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” ¹³That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. ¹⁴ When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground.¹⁵ The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat...” ¹⁷So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. 18 But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.

The Israelites were in the wilderness and they began to complain about not having food. God heard their complaints and miraculously provided manna and meat for them.

• Did God tell Moses He would have to look around for food because He couldn’t provide enough?No! He told him He would rain down food from heaven to meet the need.
• Did God provide it all at once, so they could store it up and see a big supply so they wouldn’t worry?No, they had specific instructions to go out and collect their portion for each day.
• Why do you think God chose to provide this way?So they would know God was their provider and look to Him each day. To cause them to trust and have faith each day. To not take God’s provision for granted.
• Do you think people tend to do that, to take God’s provision for granted? 
• In verses 17–18, was God’s provision sufficient; did anyone lack anything?No, everyone had exactly what they needed?

Matthew 6:25–33:

²⁵ “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? ²⁷Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ²⁸ And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, ²⁹ yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ³⁰ And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? ³¹ So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”

Ask:

• What do verses 25 and 32 tell us not to worry about; what problem does worry cause us?Everyday life and daily needs like food to eat, water to drink, and clothes to wear. It steals our time and our thoughts away from good things and God.
• What does God provide for in verses 26–30? What do the verses say about us compared to them?Birds and flowers. We are far more valuable to Him, and He has provided for their needs.
• Who knows better than us what we need?God, our Heavenly Father.
• Can worrying help us?No, we don’t gain anything by worrying.
• In verse 33, what is the best thing we can do?Seek God and His work. Think on those things rather than worry. Want what God wants for us and trust Him to provide.
• What happens when we seek Him first?We are blessed and our needs are provided for.