Genesis 15  

1.	What sort of things make you worried or doubt God’s promise?

2.	Why was Abram afraid  verse 1 – (see story in chapter 14)

3.	Where did Abram think that his descendents would come from? V2-3

4.	How does God answer him? V 4-5

5.	Why does the vision of the stars contrast with the earlier vision of the descendents being like the dust (think earthly /spiritual descendents)?

6.	Read verse 6.  What did Abram do to be declared righteous by God? Why was it so amazing that he was declared righteous at this stage (think in light of the law and covenant of circumcision)? 

7.	Why is this such a profound verse (see Romans 4/Galatians 3) and at the core of New Testament teaching?

8.	In verse 7 why is it important that God reminds Abram of who he is?

9.	Why did God want to delay the taking of the land for 400 years?
What does this teach us when we are impatient for God’s promises to be fulfilled?

10.	Ancient covenant ceremonies involved two parties walking between the pieces of halved animals and swearing an oath that if the covenant was broken by one of them then they would face the same fate as the animals.  How is this covenant that God makes with Abram different?  (hint: what does the  fire pot represent moving through the pieces – only one party involved)

11.	Discuss how God’s amazing gift of grace is manifested through this ceremony and how it applies to us today through Jesus.   

12.	What practical steps can we take to trust in God’s great promises?