Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
Question:
What is your besetting sin?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1-2a
The Promise of God to Abram GENESIS 12:2–3
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.
With this promise in hand, Abram journeys to Egypt and in a moment of hardship does this:
10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” – Genesis 12:10–13
The Besetting Sins of Abram
(which leads to )
Sin may appear to bring short term gain, but the long-term consequences will always affect , your , and your relationship with .
14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels. 17 But the Lord inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household… – Genesis 12:14-17
The root causes of these besetting sins:
Lack of
Lack of faith in God’s
Question:
In the face of your own besetting sin, where do you lack faith and trust in God?
The Promise of God to You
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. – John 8:34-36
Journal Work:
One question:
One truth:
One step:
Small Group Questions
- What’s the biggest lie you remember telling as a child? How did it work out for you?
- How does it feel to you when you find out you’ve been lied to?
- Read Genesis 12 out loud. What do you believe prompted Abram to take this course of action. In what ways can you empathize with his decision? What can you learn about his actions that can help you in your own life?
- In your own besetting sin, where are you experiencing a lack of trust and a lack of faith?
- Read John 8 (the whole chapter). What does the whole context teach you about the heart of God in the face of habitual sin?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?