Congregational Book Study, Week of August 11-17, 2025, Lessons 8, 9. Answers.

Congregational Book Study, August 11-17, 2025, Lessons 8, 9. Answers.

Congregational Bible Study (30 mins.) lfb lessons 8, 9.

Lesson Eight Analysis: Abraham and Sarah Obey God

What did Jehovah ask Abraham to do?

Jehovah asked Abraham to leave his house and family and go to the place He would show him. Although he didn't know where he was going, Abraham obeyed because he trusted Jehovah completely.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah asked Abraham to leave his home, his city, and his family to go to a place he would show him. Abraham didn't know where he was going, but he trusted Jehovah to guide him and obeyed him without conditions.

Genesis 12:1-4 tells us that Jehovah told Abraham to leave his country and go to the place he had shown him. The beautiful thing is that Abraham didn't make excuses or delay, but did exactly what Jehovah asked. This teaches me that when Jehovah guides us, it's best to act without hesitation.

Acts 7:2-4 explains that Jehovah spoke to Abraham while he was still in his own land, and that he obeyed and left, not knowing where he was going. This reminds me that trusting in Jehovah means taking steps of faith, even without knowing all the details of the journey.

According to Hebrews 11:8, Abraham obeyed by faith and went out to a place he would receive as an inheritance, even though he didn't know where it was. This shows me that true faith is seen in our actions, not just in what we say we believe.

What did Jehovah promise to Abraham?

Jehovah promised him that he would become a great nation and that, through him, he would do good things for the people of the whole earth. Later, he also promised that he would give the land of Canaan to his children, even though he and Sarah were older and had no children.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah promised him that he would become a great nation, that many people would be blessed through him, and that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. Although he was childless and elderly, Abraham believed that Jehovah would keep his word.

In Genesis 12:2-3, 7, Jehovah tells Abraham that he will make him a great nation and bless all the families of the earth through him. He also assures him that the whole land of Canaan would be his descendants. This makes me think that Jehovah's promises are always sure, even if they seem very grand.

Galatians 3:6-9 mentions that God considered Abraham righteous for his faith and that this blessing would extend to people of all nations. This reminds me that when I trust in Jehovah, not only am I blessed, but others can also benefit.

Hebrews 11:9-10 tells us that Abraham lived as a foreigner in the Promised Land, waiting for the city God was preparing. This teaches me to be patient and continue trusting, even if Jehovah's promises are slow to come true.

What does it teach us about Jehovah?

The account teaches us that Jehovah is a God who guides with love and rewards obedience. Although he didn't reveal all the details from the beginning, he gave Abraham clear instructions and firm promises, demonstrating that Jehovah is trustworthy, patient, and faithful to what he promises. It also shows that he has the power to keep his promises, even when they seem impossible from a human perspective.

What practical lessons can we learn?

We can learn that trusting Jehovah, even when we don't understand all the details, is always best. Abraham obeyed without knowing where he was going, and that encourages us to follow Jehovah's guidance with faith, especially when we face difficult decisions. We also learn that obedience brings blessings and that Jehovah fulfills his promises in due time, even when they seem delayed or impossible from our perspective.

Lesson Nine Analysis: They Finally Have a Baby!

Sarah heard the angels speaking to Abraham. What did they say?

The angels told Abraham that the following year he and Sarah would have a son. Although Sarah listened from inside the tent and laughed at her advanced age, what the angels announced came to pass just as Jehovah had promised.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

When Sarah was inside the tent, she heard the angels tell Abraham that, within the next year, she and he would have a son. This seemed impossible because they were already so old, but it came from Jehovah, so it would definitely happen.

In Genesis 18:10-12, we see that Sarah was very surprised and even laughed to herself, because she thought she was too old to bear children. This reminds me that even if I think something is impossible, if Jehovah promises it, he has the power to make it happen.

In Hebrews 11:11, we see that Sarah came to trust in Jehovah and have faith that He would fulfill His word. This teaches me that faith is not just believing, but being convinced that what Jehovah says will happen, even if you don't know how.

In Genesis 21:1-2 we see that, some time later, Jehovah fulfilled exactly what he had said. Sarah gave birth to Isaac at the promised time. This encourages me to trust that Jehovah always does what he promises and never delays.

How did Jehovah protect Isaac?

Jehovah protected Isaac by supporting Sarah's request that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. Although Abraham was reluctant to do so at first, Jehovah assured him that He would care for Ishmael, but He made it clear that His promises would be fulfilled through Isaac. Thus, He showed that He was looking out for Isaac's future from an early age.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

When Isaac was young, Ishmael began to tease him. Sarah noticed and asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away to protect Isaac. At first, Abraham was reluctant, but Jehovah told him to obey, because Isaac was part of the promise and should not be harmed.

In Genesis 21:9-12, we see that Jehovah cared for Isaac because he knew that through him, he would fulfill his promise. He didn't allow Ishmael's mockery to damage the family's peace or his purpose for Isaac. This teaches me that Jehovah cares for those who are part of his purpose.

In Genesis 21:13, we see that even though he asked Hagar and Ishmael to leave, Jehovah promised that he would also care for them and give them offspring. This shows me that Jehovah is just and does not stop caring for others, even if they are not directly part of the promise.

In Hebrews 11:1, we see that Sarah's faith in Jehovah and her trust that he would keep his promise were rewarded. Jehovah protected Isaac because he was the son He had promised, and nothing could prevent his plan from being fulfilled.

What does it teach us about Jehovah?

This account teaches us that Jehovah is faithful to his promises and has the power to fulfill them, even when they seem impossible from a human perspective. It also shows that he cares deeply for the families loyal to him and acts to protect those who are part of his purpose. Furthermore, Jehovah listens to his servants and makes wise decisions that reflect both justice and love.

What practical lessons can we learn?

We learn that trusting in Jehovah, even when things seem impossible, always brings good results. Sarah received strength to bear a child because she believed God's promise, which teaches us to have faith that Jehovah fulfills what he says in his time. We also see the importance of protecting children and the role parents play in making decisions guided by Jehovah. We also learn to accept divine guidance, even when it may not be emotionally easy, as Abraham did when he obeyed Jehovah's instruction regarding Ishmael.