1. The Story of Abraham A model of faithfulness

2. Gen 12 Abram in Ur (Mesopotamian city) – Brings wife: Sarai & nephew: Lot – God calls him out to a new land – Famine there, so he retreats to Egypt Abram & Sarai in Egypt – Sister deception

3. Gen 15 First promise to Abram – Abram’s descendants as countless as the stars in the sky Promise of kids – Promise of Israel land Actually a lot more than the modern country

4. Gen 16 Birth of Ishmael – First kid, Abram & Hagar (maid) – Sarai angered, and Hagar runs – God sends Hagar back, births Ishmael

5. Gen 17 Circumcision – Be circumcized! – All peoples: rich & poor Name change: Abram  Abraham, Sarai  Sarah First mention that Sarah will bear Isaac

6. Gen 18 “Visitors” (traditionally, angels) – Abraham welcomes and takes them in – Good hospitality – Angels promise that Sarah will birth Isaac within a year, Sarah doubts – “Is anything too marvelous for the Lord?” Intercession on behalf of Sodom & Gomorrah – Biblical justification for the doctrine of saints

7. Sacrifice of Isaac Birth of Isaac – Sarah’s jealousy drives out Ishmael & Hagar – God promises to make a nation of Ishmael as well as Isaac Testing of Abraham – God demands sacrifice of Isaac – Abraham & Isaac go to Moriah – Angels stop Abraham at the last second