Return to Bethel (Part 2)
Teacher’s Guide Page

Handout
Lesson Plan

Return to Bethel (Part 2)                                               April 4, 2010
Teacher’s Guide

    1. Review last week’s lesson in Genesis 12 and how Abram stepped out by faith but then went down into Egypt and out of God’s will.  However he turned around and returned to Bethel and to prayer and fellowship with God.

 

    1. While in Egypt, Abram gained much wealth because of his sin however, it would cause him much grief and pain later.  Discuss how the land was not able to hold Lot’s herds and Abram’s so there was strife between their workers.  Things we acquire from seasons of sin may seem pleasurable for a time, but later on will bring much heartache.  (Genesis 13:5-11)

 

    1. Lust of the Eyes.  Lot had never learned to walk by faith.  The lesson in Egypt had not taught him a thing.  He looked and saw the well watered plains of Sodom and Gomorrah and he chose that direction.  Discuss how it got him into a world of sin, pain and almost cost him his life.  Satan loves to tempt us by using the appeal of our eyes.  Discuss how he did this with Eve in the garden, with King David when he looked at Bathsheba. He even tried to tempt Jesus in this way. He failed with Jesus, but still he tried. (Genesis 3:6; 2 Samuel 11; Matthew 4) 

1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

    1. Abraham learned from the lesson in Egypt.  He knew that it was better to follow God and live in obedience by faith than to follow self and get into trouble.  He chose to live and walk by faith and he chose to stay at Bethel and in fellowship with his God.  God was and still is faithful to make a way for His children who walk by faith in obedience. (Genesis 13:14-18 )  He did it for Abraham and He will do it for you and I!

Matthew 5:29 “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that they whole body should be cast into hell.”
E.  Sometimes, like Abraham, we have to separate ourselves from people or things that we love in order to progress in the plans that God has for us.  It can be hard and grievous to us at times, but God gives us grace to do that which He has called us to do.  In every temptation He will make a way for us to escape and to live holy unto Him if we choose to.  Cutting ourselves away or cutting people or things away can be so painful at times, but we know that if God is leading us in that direction, then He will heal those things and we will reap a harvest of joy if we sow in tears and obedience now.  (Make certain that you explain that this does not give people an allowance for divorce.)