Sarah continues Aug.4

Ladies Bible Study Aug. 4- Study of Sarah

We began by discussing the polytheistic nature of the world today, how many are embracing nature gods or what they want to be gods. 

We then looked at question 5 – what ways were the name changes of Abraham and Sarah significant in helping them have faith in God’s fulfillment of His promise.

It is a constant confirmation since they can’t even hear their names without thinking about the promise. It is also a time that God is confirming Sarah’s involvement in the promise.  God had plans for their union.  This is also showing God’s love to the both of them, after 13 years after the incident with Hagar.  We also wonder if Sarah is carrying around “baggage” from her past religions which hinders her walk or even if she truly trusted that she would be a part of the promise.  She is a true example of our wavering in her walk with God, and yet God placed her in faith’s hall of fame!

In today’s culture we choose names because they are what we want, but God changed or selected the names of several people in his word, and God has also promised us a new name in heaven!!

Bible Connections:

1.       Genesis 17:15 Sarah’s name was changed when she was 90, how does age impact the ability or desire to change:

Our requirements from God remain the same, although with time growing short she may have felt a desire to get things done.  She suffered with childlessness for 90 years, but when change in your life has been prepared by God we go through things a little easier, at least if we are walking with God. God was preparing her through her suffering and God is revealing himself through these circumstances. They didn’t have God’s written word and they didn’t have years and years of experience with God.

What is required for change to be embraced by women especially older women?

Women must have: She needs support, Submission to God, willingness to change, to be flexible and flow in the grace of the Lord and to have Faith. It really doesn’t matter what we think, what matters is having the faith in God.  You must let go of self, if you are stuck in your way you won’t. You must have a teachable spirit, sanctification- the teachable spirit.   God calls us beloved.  We must have the willingness to look at the big picture.  When we learn that it isn’t all about us, we are just a piece of the whole puzzle, there is a purpose.  How broad was their scope of view.  Without the blessing of God there will never be change. The world has their opinion on change, but God is the one that will change things.

2.       Hebrews 11:11 – Sarah is mentioned in the Faith’s hall of fame, she judged him faithful who had promised. What does that phrase mean to you?

We have a discrepancy on the interpretations in this passage, so we will be researching this passage further and come back to it another time.  We encourage you to listen to the sermon that Shera shared with us.  We cannot transfer faith or belief. Each of us will independently be given faith by God if he so wills.  We do see some of Sarah’s walk of faith as she learns how to trust.  The faith of her husband would affect her because of his leadership in the family, as well as how he prayed and demonstrated his faith.  God uses people to spread his word. Throughout history God has chosen men to have a part in God’s way.

Shera  listened to a sermon by Rev. John Greer of Ballymena Free Presbyterian Church, Ballymena, N. Ireland last week: the path if anyone is interested in the further understanding of Sarah from Heb 11:11-12 and Gen 18.  It is titled "Receiving Strength By Faith".
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?m=t&s=520464142.