Part 4: Abraham

Part 4: Abraham

Hook

George Müller was a pastor in England in the 1800s. He cared for over 10,000 orphans across his lifetime, but here’s what makes his story different: he never asked people for money. Instead, he prayed. On mornings when the dining hall was full of hungry children and the plates were completely empty, he would gather them to pray. Before “amen” was even said, a baker would knock at the door with fresh bread, or a milk cart would break down outside and the driver would donate the milk. That’s not luck. That’s not coincidence. That’s faith in action. Müller trusted God to provide for what he could not see—just like Abraham did thousands of years earlier.

Main Idea

Faith is believing God’s promise enough to act on it, even when you cannot see how He will fulfill it.

Tension

But here’s the challenge: How do you follow a God you can’t see, trust promises you don’t fully understand, and obey commands that don’t make sense in the moment? Abraham’s life shows us how.

Context

Genesis introduces us to Abram in a pagan land with no Bible, no church, and no Christian heritage. Yet God called him, made promises to him, and through him set the stage for redemption. Abram’s story becomes the blueprint of what it means to live by faith.

Text

Genesis 12:1–3 (CSB) The Lord said to Abram: “Go from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt, and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Genesis 15:6 (CSB) Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 17:1–2 (CSB) When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless. I will set my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.”

Genesis 18:14 (CSB) “Is anything impossible for the Lord? At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”

Preview Points

Faith steps out before it figures out. Faith receives before it achieves. Faith depends on God’s power, not ours.

Points

1) Faith Steps Out Before It Figures Out (Gen. 12:1–3)

God called Abram to leave his land, family, and security, with no road map—just a promise. Faith doesn’t wait until you understand the whole plan; it moves because God has spoken.

Application for students: Following Jesus may mean leaving behind a friend group that pulls you the wrong direction. It might mean saying no to something popular at your school that everyone else says yes to. Faith is trusting that God’s way leads to blessing—even if you can’t see it yet.

2) Faith Receives Before It Achieves (Gen. 15:6)

Abram wasn’t righteous because of what he did, but because he believed. God credited righteousness to him apart from works.

Application for students: You don’t earn God’s love by how many verses you memorize, how many youth group events you attend, or how “perfect” you act. God’s love is given, not achieved. What matters most is that you put your trust in Jesus.

3) Faith Depends on God’s Power, Not Ours (Gen. 17:1–2; 18:14)

Abraham stumbled—fear in Egypt, impatience with Hagar, doubt in his old age. But God kept reaffirming His covenant: “I am Almighty God.” When Sarah laughed at the promise of a child, God asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

Application for students: Maybe you feel weak—like you can’t break free from a habit, or you’re afraid of the future, or you don’t think you’re good enough. God’s power is greater than your weakness. Faith says, “God can.” He can help you stand strong at school, live differently, and trust Him with your future.

Summarize Points

Faith isn’t about having all the answers—it’s stepping out before you figure it out. Faith isn’t about what you achieve—it’s receiving what God promises. Faith isn’t about your strength—it’s depending on God’s power.

Response 

Where do you need to step out in faith?