The Two Sons, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 21:1-21

1 The Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah as he had promised. 2 And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac. 4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”
8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. 20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

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The Two Sons, Part 1 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 21:1-21
17 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does the birth of Isaac mark both the beginning and the continuation of the line to Christ?
2.  In what ways has God clarified and confirmed his promises to Abraham between chapters 12 and 21?
3.  How do these verses encourage us to put theology at the center of the church? Why might some be uncomfortable with saying that the church is about theology?
4.  How do vv. 1-2 teach us that God meets his people, keeps his promises, and accomplishes his purposes? In what ways are these truths foundational throughout the Bible and in the Christian life?
5.  How does this passage show us that God does everything for his glory? How does he establish his praise in our lives?

References: Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 15:2, 4; 16:1-2; 17:16-21; Titus 1:1-2; Exodus 4:31; Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 14:27; 46:9-10.

Feebleness & Faithfulness Revisited

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 20:1-18

1 From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her. 7 Now then, return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, so that he will pray for you, and you shall live. But if you do not return her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning and called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? And how have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom a great sin? You have done to me things that ought not to be done.” 10 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you did this thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’ 12 Besides, she is indeed my sister, the daughter of my father though not the daughter of my mother, and she became my wife. 13 And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘This is the kindness you must do me: at every place to which we come, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
14 Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen, and male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.” 16 To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is a sign of your innocence in the eyes of all who are with you, and before everyone you are vindicated.” 17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children. 18 For the Lord had closed all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

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Feebleness & Faithfulness Revisited — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 20:1-18
10 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What does this narrative teach us about God’s attitude toward marriage?
2.  How does this passage show us God’s authority, control, and power?
3.  Why should God’s protection of his promises to Abraham bring us reassurance?
4.  How would you describe the various facets of Abraham’s sin?
5.  Why is it significant that Abraham repeats this deception after all that he has experienced between chapters 12 and 20? What does this tell us about the “old sins” in our lives?
6.  How does God use Abraham’s sin to confirm some important things for him? What does this tell us about God’s ability to turn our failures for good?

References: 2 Peter 2:7-8; Genesis 12:10-20; 3:15; 1 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 1:13-14.

Sodom's Survivors

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 19:30-38

30 Now Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. 31 And the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth. 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” 33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
34 The next day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also. Then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” 35 So they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 36 Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites to this day.

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Sodom’s Survivors — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 19:30-38
3 February 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions

1.  How does Genesis 13 represent a defining moment in Lot’s life? How might your present choices be setting you on a trajectory to the cave?

2.  What does it mean to have a Lot-like Christian life?

3.  Discuss the sin of Lot’s daughters. How does it involve both cultural and familial dynamics?

4.  How should this story affect the way we view and use alcohol?

5.  What does this passage teach us about the impact of our sin on future generations?

6.  How does this story connect to Ruth? What does her place in redemptive history communicate about God’s grace?

References: Matthew 11:23-24; Genesis 13:10-13; Leviticus 18:6-7; Ephesians 5:18; Numbers 25:1-3; Zephaniah 2:8; Ruth 4:13-22.

Deliverance and Destruction

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 19:1-29

1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” 6Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, 7and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. 8Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. 11 And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.
12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.
15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” 18 And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. 19 Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. 20 Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” 21 He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 22 Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.
29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.

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Deliverance and Destruction
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 19:1-29
27 January 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Discuss the wickedness of the people of Sodom. How is Lot contrasted with them?
2.   How is Lot portrayed as a weak believer? What does this tell us about the effect that the world can have on us?
3.   Where do we see God’s patience and mercy towards Lot? What does this teach us about God’s attitude towards us?
4.   How does the story of Sodom and Gomorrah function as a warning? In what ways have you viewed sin lightly in your own life?
5.   How would you characterize the difference between Lot and his wife? How does this help us to distinguish between a weak Christian and a non-Christian?
6.   How does this passage (particularly v. 29) point ultimately to Christ as the only basis and means of salvation?

References: Genesis 11:5; 18:20-21; Jude 7; 2 Peter 2:4-10; Romans 1:27.

Abraham's Three Visitors, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 18:16-33

16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” 20 Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”
22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” 26 And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” 29 Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

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Abraham’s Three Visitors, Part 2
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 18:16-33
20 January 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How is Abraham portrayed as a “friend of God”?
2.  How does this passage teach us that as Christians we are close to God whether we feel it or not?
3.  What does v. 19 teach us about parenting?
4.  What is Abraham’s concern, and how does God respond to it? What does this teach us about God’s character?
5.  How does this passage encourage intercessory prayer?

References: Genesis 13:12; 14:12; James 2:23; Isaiah 41:8; 2 Chronicles 20:7; John 15:15; 1 Samuel 6:20; John 17:9; Psalm 1:5-6; Micah 6:8.

Abraham's Three Visitors, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 18:1-15

1And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. 2 He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth 3 and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, 5 while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” 6 And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” 10 The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” 13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

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Abraham’s Three Visitors, Part 1
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 18:1-15
13 January 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How do we see the outworking of the Christian life in the life of Abraham?
2.  How do the appearances of God in the Old Testament prepare his people for the Incarnation?
3.  Why is it significant that the Lord had a meal with Abraham? How does this enhance the way we think about Communion?
4.  What do the Lord’s words concerning Sarah teach us about his nature and character?
5.  In what ways have you been tempted to doubt that nothing is “too hard for the LORD”?
6.  Discuss God’s grace in meeting Sarah where she is. How have you seen him do this in your life?

References: Genesis 12:7; 17:1; 19:1; John 14:9; Hebrews 13:2; Revelation 3:20; James 2:23; Genesis 11:30; 17:15-16; Psalm 9:1; Luke 1:37; Romans 8:30; John 6:39-40; Hebrews 11:11.

The Covenant Confirmed and Sealed

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 17:1-27

1When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”
9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
15 And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19 God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”
22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. 27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

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The Covenant Confirmed and Sealed
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 17:1-27
6 January 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What is a covenant, and how is this passage a continuation of what we saw in chapter 15?
2.  Why does God begin his speech to Abram by naming himself? What is the significance of this particular name?
3.  Which elements of God’s promise are repeated in chapter 17 and which are new?
4.  How does this passage reassure us that as Christians God will never leave us?
5.  What does circumcision symbolize? What does it mean that Christians have a circumcised heart?
6.  What does it mean to say that Isaac is the son of human impossibility and divine power? What does this teach us about the Christian life?
7.  How do promise and awe fuel obedience?

References: Genesis 12:3; 15:1; Revelation 5:5; 19:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Deuteronomy 10:16; Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 4:11-12; Galatians 5:6; 6:15.

Offspring for Abram? Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 16:1-16

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Offspring for Abram? Part 2 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 16:1-16
25 November 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Discuss the failures of major biblical characters.  What role do these play in pointing us to the Savior?
2.  Discuss the identity of the angel of the LORD.  What are some of the various ways we see Christ at work and referred to in the Old Testament?
3.  Why does God tell Hagar to return?
4.  What does this story teach us about God’s attitude towards people?
5.  How do you think Hagar’s report of this encounter would have affected Abram and Sarai?

References: Romans 11:32; Ephesians 2:7; Exodus 3:2, 4; Genesis 31:11, 13; Deuteronomy 32:10; Isaiah 32:14; Jeremiah 14:6; Ezekiel 33:11.

Offspring for Abram? Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 16:1-16

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Offspring for Abram? Part 1 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 16:1-16
11 November 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  In what ways do you need to hear the message that nothing is impossible with God?
2.  What was wrong with Sarai’s plan? To what extent is Abram worthy of blame in this story?
3.  What does it look like in practice for us to live according to the promise rather than according to the flesh?
4.  What were the negative effects of Abram and Sarai’s actions?
5.  What does this text teach us about the seriousness of our own choices?

References: Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37; Genesis 18:14; 2:24; 3:17; Galatians 4:23; 2:20.

Seed and Land Confirmed

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 15:1-21

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Seed and Land Confirmed — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 15:1-21
4 November 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What can we do to constantly remind ourselves of God’s character? Why is this the only answer to a fearful heart?
2.  How would you summarize v. 6? How does Paul in particular highlight this verse in his description of the gospel?
3.  What are the clarifications given to Abram in this passage? Why does God make Abram wait for this information?
4.  Describe some of your experiences waiting on God. How have these times deepened your faith?
5.  How would you describe what is going on at the end of this chapter with the making of a covenant? What is God communicating to Abram?

References: Psalm 18:2; 28:7; Galatians 3:6-14; Romans 4; James 2:18-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 11:25; Matthew 8:11.

The Blessed Man, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 14:17-24

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The Blessed Man, Part 2 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 14:17-24
28 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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1.  How is Abram’s life a picture of our lives as Christians?
2.  What makes Melchizedek Abram’s superior? How does he serve as a type of Christ?
3.  How are Abram’s faith and strength of character demonstrated in his response to Melchizedek?
4.  What temptation does Abram face in this narrative, and what support does God give him?
5.  How does Abram uphold God’s glory, live by faith, and act as a witness? How does this affect our view of theChristian life?

References: Ephesians 1:3; Hebrews 7; Psalm 110; Hebrews 2:18.

The Blessed Man, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 14:1-16

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The Blessed Man, Part 1 — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 14:1-16
21 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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1.  How does the text contrast Abram’s condition with that of Lot, and what does this tell us about Abram?
2.  What does it mean to say that as Christians God ensures our “safety”? Describe how this plays out in an individual’s life.
3.  How would you describe Abram’s character as depicted in this passage? What does it mean to say that faith is the powerhouse for service?
4.  How does Abram prefigure Christ in this narrative?
5.  How do these verses portray Abram’s “strength”? In what ways are we “strong,” and what does it look like to take advantage of God’s resources?

References: Ephesians 1:3-14; Jude 1; Psalm 34:19; Romans 8:35-37; Matthew 5:3-12; Galatians 3:9; Judges 7; Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 6:10.

Renewed Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 13:1-8

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Renewed Faith — Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 13:1-18
14 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Describe times in your life when God renewed your faith. What were some of the means he used?
2.  What does it mean to acknowledge the Lord, and how do we see Abram doing this in our passage? How does this differ from the previous passage?
3.  What would it look like for you to “return and recognize”?
4.  How is Abram portrayed as a peacemaker? Where do we find this quality emphasized in the New Testament, and how does it challenge you?
5.  How did Abram renounce self in his dealings with Lot? Why was he able to do this?
6.  What does it mean to live by faith and not by sight?

References: Proverbs 3:5-6; Revelation 2:4-5; Matthew 7:7-11; James 3:17-18; Matthew 5:9; 1 Corinthians 3:21; Romans 8:32; Matthew 5:5; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Corinthians 5:7.

The Faithful God & The Feeble Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 12:10-20

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The Faithful God & The Feeble Faith -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 12:10-20
7 October 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How are the “heroes” of the Old Testament useful to us as Christians? How do they always point us to Christ?
2.  How would you summarize Abram’s stumbling in verses 10-13? What do you think was going through his mind?
3.  In times of difficulty or danger, what does it look like for us to go into survival mode rather than seeking mode? Describe a time when you have done this.
4.  How would you summarize God’s faithfulness in this passage? How does it show God’s care on both a macro and a micro level?
5.  How does this passage prefigure later events? How would this have encouraged the first readers of Genesis?

References: Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-19; Galatians 3:9; Genesis 20:1-18; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 3:22; 11:6-8; 2 Timothy 2:13; Ephesians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.

The Faithful God & The Father of Faith

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 12:1-9

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The Faithful God & The Father of Faith -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 12:1-9
30 September 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Why do we refer to Abram as the father of faith?
2.  Why would God’s command in v. 1 not have been easy to embrace?
3.  What does it mean to say that God’s word to Abram begins with command but is dominated by promise? What does this tell us about the Lord and how he relates to people?
4.  How would you summarize God’s promises to Abram? What is the significance of the last promise in v. 3, and why does Paul say that this was the gospel being preached to Abram?
5.  How would you characterize Abram’s response to God’s word? How does this challenge comfortable Christianity, selective obedience, and competing priorities?
6.  What is the purpose of God’s appearance to Abram, and what does this tell us about God’s character?
7.  What is the symbolism conveyed by Abram’s worship and altar building as he moves through the land?

References: Genesis 17:5; Galatians 3:9, 29; Romans 4:11; Acts 7:2-3; Hebrews 11:8-10; Exodus 20:2; John 14:1-3; Exodus 1:7-9; Genesis 24:34-35; Galatians 3:8; Genesis 6:22; 7:9; Matthew 10:37.

The God Who Prevails

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 11:10-32

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The God Who Prevails -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 11:10-32
23 September 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How would you describe the significance of Abraham in the biblical storyline?
2.  How are the first eleven chapters of Genesis both hopeless and hopeful? How do they turn us to God alone?
3.  Where do we see God’s sovereignty in salvation history in Genesis 1-11?
4.  What impact should the unstoppable nature of God’s plan have on our theology?  How does it comfort us in our battle against sin?
5.  How does Abraham’s religious background remind us that God is able to overcome any barrier to belief?  Why should this motivate our evangelism?
6.  Why do you think God chose to work through the barren woman, Sarai?

The City of Man, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 11:5-9

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The City of Man, Part 2 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 11.5-9
16 September 2018
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FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission
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Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How does this story show us the danger of being a “reputation manager”? How can a person’s life become a little Babel in this regard?
2.  How does finding our identity in Christ act as the only guard against chasing our own name?
3.  Why do we need to be constantly reminded that we can’t hide from God?
4.  How do we see both a pitiful picture and a powerful potential at Babel?
5.  In what ways have you witnessed the deceptive power of sin?
6.  How is God’s preventing work at Babel both preservation and punishment?
7.  How does this passage remind us that sin leads to futility?

References: 2 Corinthians 5:15; Isaiah 40:22; Psalm 103:19; Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 40:15, 17; Genesis 3:22; 18:21; Zephaniah 3:9; Acts 2:6. 

The City of Man, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 11:1-9

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The City of Man, Part 1 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 11:1-9
9 September 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What support does Jesus give for the historicity of the events described in Genesis 1-11?
2.  How does the Tower of Babel story help us to identify worldliness and flee from it?
3.  Where do we see independence and misuse in this passage? How are independence and disobedience related?
4.  What does it mean to say that Babel is the mother of all pagan worship and false religion?
5.  What does it look like to live for our own “name”?

References: Daniel 4:30; 1 Peter 5:13; Revelation 17:5; 18:1-2; Mark 10:6; Matthew 23:35; 24:39; Revelation 18:5; 1 John 2:15; Genesis 13:11; 9:1; 3:24; 4:16; Isaiah 63:14; James 4:6; Matthew 23:12.

Our Ancient Ancestry

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 10:1-32

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Our Ancient Ancestry -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 10:1-32
2 September 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Is there anything that you find particularly intriguing or surprising about this genealogy?
2.  How does this text further contribute to our understanding of the character of God?
3.  How does this passage help us fight against racism and better love our neighbor?
4.  Where do we see human corruption in these verses? How does this genealogy prepare the reader for the Tower of Babel?
5.  Discuss how these genealogies in Genesis 1-11 are moving towards Abraham and ultimately Christ. How does this increase your trust in God?

References: Genesis 2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 9:1; Ephesians 1:3; Acts 17:26; Genesis 4:17; 6:4; Romans 1:18-32; Genesis 3:15; Revelation 7:9-10; Genesis 12:3.

After the Ark, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 9:18-29

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After the Ark, Part 2 -- Lonnie Bell
Sermon Series: Genesis
Genesis 9:18-29
26 August 2018

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.  How do the two scenes of Genesis 9 set up a contrast between God and humanity? How does this guide us in where to direct our hope?
2.  How does this text portray the potentially destructive power of alcohol? How have you seen alcohol play a destructive role in peoples’ lives?
3.  How would you characterize Ham’s sin? Why do you think God takes dishonoring parents so seriously?
4.  How does Shem offer hope in the midst of this story?
5.  What does it mean to say that all must face a death of dust, but not all will face a death of destruction?

References: Genesis 8:21; 6:8-9; Hebrews 11:7; Psalm 104:14-15; Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-32; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Exodus 21:15; Leviticus 20:9; Genesis 3:15; 22:18; John 11:25-26.