The God Who Sees

June 14, 2024 Study Guides

Sermon Study Guide

“The God Who Sees”

Main Passage: Genesis 16

How to Use This Study Guide

This study guide is designed for various settings to deepen your understanding of God’s character as revealed in the story of Hagar and Abraham. You can use it for:

Personal Bible Study: Reflect on the Scriptures and teaching points on your own to grow in your personal relationship with God.
Small Group Discussion: Use the discussion questions to engage with others, sharing insights and experiences to encourage one another.
Sabbath School Classes: Facilitate meaningful conversations that help classmates apply biblical truths to everyday life.
Family Worship: Guide your family through the sessions to foster spiritual growth and understanding together.

To help you navigate the guide, you will find icons marking different sections:

📖 Scripture Focus — The key Bible verses for the session.
💭 Teaching Points — Important lessons and insights drawn from the passage.
❓ Discussion Questions — Thought-provoking questions to stimulate reflection and group conversation.
✍️ Personal Application — Practical steps to help you live out the truths you have learned.

Session 1: Names and God’s Promises (Genesis 12:1-4; 15; 16:1-4)

Opening Scripture: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.’” (Genesis 12:1-2, ESV)

💭 Teaching Summary:

Names carry deep meaning and influence life experiences. The sermon illustrated how names of historical kings like Alfred the Great or William the Conqueror reflected their character and legacy, much as biblical names mark spiritual journeys. For example, Jacob, the deceiver, became Israel, the prince of God, symbolizing a transformation in spiritual identity. This reminds us that God’s promises often come with a new identity for His people.
God’s call to Abraham was a call to leave behind familiar comforts and trust in God’s promises, even when the fulfillment seemed impossible. Abraham left Haran at age 75, but he hesitated to fully obey by taking his nephew Lot along, showing his uncertainty. Later, he designated Eleazar, a servant, as heir, revealing his struggle to trust God’s timing and plan.
Sarah’s barrenness created a crisis that challenged their faith in God’s promise of descendants. Ten years passed without a child, leading Sarah to suggest Abraham have a child through her slave Hagar. This decision reflected a human attempt to force God’s hand, rather than waiting patiently for His fulfillment.
The story highlights the tension between divine promises and human impatience. Sarah’s plan was culturally acceptable but contrary to God’s will, leading to conflict and hardship. It reminds us how straying from God’s path, even with good intentions, can cause pain and disruption in families and communities.

❓ Discussion Questions:

Why do you think names and name changes were significant in biblical times? How does your name reflect your identity or spiritual journey?
What challenges did Abraham face in trusting God’s promise? Can you relate to moments when God’s promises seemed delayed in your life?
How do you view Sarah’s decision to involve Hagar in bearing a child? What might this teach us about relying on human solutions instead of God’s timing?
What are some ways impatience with God’s timing can affect relationships and faith?

✍️ Personal Application:

Reflect on your own name and what it means to you spiritually. Ask God to reveal your identity in Him and how He is shaping your life.
Identify areas where you may be struggling to trust God’s promises fully and commit to waiting patiently on Him.
Pray for wisdom to rely on God’s guidance rather than seeking quick human fixes when facing difficulties.

Session 2: The Complication of Human Plans (Genesis 16:1-6)

Opening Scripture: “Sarai said to Abram, ‘The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my servant; perhaps I can build a family through her.’ Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” (Genesis 16:2-3, NIV)

💭 Teaching Summary:

The story shows a tension between faith and cultural norms. Sarah’s proposal to use her slave Hagar to bear a child was supported by contemporary customs, such as those found in the Code of Hammurabi, which regulated such practices to reduce jealousy and protect rights. However, this cultural acceptance did not align with God’s original plan for marriage and family.
Sarah’s approach reflects a turning away from faith towards self-reliance and human wisdom. Though God had promised descendants, Sarah blamed Him for her barrenness and sought to fulfill the promise by her own means. This illustrates how doubt and frustration can lead believers to make choices that bring harm rather than blessings.
The relationship between Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar became strained immediately. Hagar’s pregnancy shifted power dynamics; she looked down on Sarah, causing bitterness and conflict. Abraham, caught in the middle, listens to Sarah but fails to protect or support Hagar, demonstrating the breakdown of mutual care and responsibility in their household.
This story parallels the fall of Adam and Eve with themes of blame, disobedience, and damaged relationships. It warns us of the consequences when we choose human schemes over God’s will, leading to broken homes and long-lasting strife.
The ripple effects of sin in this family extended beyond their household, influencing generations and even international conflicts. Yet, the sermon reminds us that righteousness also has a multiplying effect, promising hope for transformation across generations.

❓ Discussion Questions:

What cultural pressures might have influenced Sarah’s decision? How do cultural norms today influence our choices, even as believers?
How did Sarah’s and Abraham’s actions show a lack of faith? Have you ever faced a situation where you were tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of trusting God?
What were the consequences of Hagar’s pregnancy on the family? How can human schemes cause unintended pain in relationships?
How can understanding the ripple effect of sin motivate us to live righteously?

✍️ Personal Application:

Examine areas in your life where cultural or peer pressure might tempt you to act outside God’s will. Pray for courage to remain faithful.
Reflect on times you have tried to force outcomes rather than trusting God’s timing and plan. Ask God to help you surrender control to Him.
Seek to promote peace and healing in your family by choosing righteousness and forgiveness over conflict and bitterness.

Session 3: The God Who Sees Hagar (Genesis 16:7-14)

Opening Scripture: “The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.” (Genesis 16:7, NIV)

💭 Teaching Summary:

Hagar’s flight into the wilderness symbolizes a painful escape from abuse and rejection. The wilderness is harsh, barren, and life-threatening, yet here God finds her. This encounter reveals a God who sees the lonely, the oppressed, and the forgotten, meeting them in their darkest hour.
The “angel of the Lord” who finds Hagar is understood as the pre-incarnate Christ, the God who personally seeks out those in distress. This shows that God’s care is intimate and active, not distant or indifferent, even when human support fails.
God begins His conversation with Hagar by asking honest, compassionate questions: “Where have you come from? Where are you going?” He listens to her story without condemnation. This teaches us that God desires truthfulness and transparency as the first step toward healing and restoration.
God calls Hagar by name, affirming her worth and identity despite her lowly status as a slave girl. This personal recognition is a profound comfort, reminding us that no one is invisible or forgotten to God, no matter their circumstances.
The angel’s command to Hagar to return and submit to Sarah introduces the call to repentance and obedience. Though painful, it is a path toward healing. God’s promises to multiply her offspring come with the condition of trusting and following His guidance.

❓ Discussion Questions:

What does God’s seeking out Hagar in the wilderness tell you about His character?
How does God’s approach to Hagar—asking questions and listening—model how we should approach those in distress?
Why is it important that God calls Hagar by name and recognizes her as His own?
What might it mean for us today to return and submit to God’s will when we are tempted to run away or rebel?

✍️ Personal Application:

When facing your own wilderness moments, remember that God sees you personally and cares deeply. Trust Him to meet you there.
Practice honesty with God and others about your struggles, knowing that truth is the foundation for healing.
Consider areas where God is calling you to repent and submit to His will, even if difficult, trusting that His plan leads to blessing.

Session 4: God’s Promise and Hagar’s Obedient Response (Genesis 16:10-16)

Opening Scripture: “The angel of the Lord also said to her: ‘You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery.’” (Genesis 16:11, NIV)

💭 Teaching Summary:

God’s promise to Hagar of numerous descendants echoes His earlier promise to Abraham, yet it is distinct and conditional on her obedience. This shows that God’s blessings often require our faithfulness and cooperation with His will.
The name Ishmael means “God hears,” emphasizing that God not only sees but listens to the cries of the afflicted. This is an encouraging reminder that our prayers and pains do not go unnoticed by God.
Hagar’s naming of God as “El Roi,” meaning “The God who sees me,” is a profound testimony of her encounter with God’s compassion and presence. Despite her difficult circumstances, she recognizes God’s faithful watching over her.
The story underscores that God’s care extends beyond the chosen line of promise to all who trust Him, including those marginalized or suffering. God honors Hagar’s obedience by restoring her place in the household and securing her future through her son.
Abraham’s acceptance of Ishmael and naming him reflects a moment of unity and acknowledgment of God’s intervention, even amid earlier doubts and struggles. This highlights God’s grace in imperfect families and situations.

❓ Discussion Questions:

How does the meaning of Ishmael’s name speak to your own experience of God’s care?
What significance do you find in Hagar naming God “El Roi”? How can this name encourage you during difficult times?
Why do you think God’s promise to Hagar was conditional on her obedience? How does this relate to your own walk with God?
How can we learn from Abraham’s example in accepting God’s plan even when it differs from our expectations?

✍️ Personal Application:

Remember that God hears your cries and sees your struggles—turn to Him honestly in prayer when you feel overlooked or abandoned.
Trust God’s promises and respond in obedience, even when the path is unclear or challenging.
Reflect on areas in your family or community where God’s grace is at work despite imperfections, and seek to cooperate with His healing.

Session 5: The God Who Sees Today (Psalm 34:15-18; Psalm 121)

Opening Scripture: “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (Psalm 34:15-16, NIV)

💭 Teaching Summary:

The Psalms affirm that God continues to be the God who sees and hears His children. He watches over those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love, providing comfort and protection through every season of life.
God’s watchful eye is both a source of encouragement and a call to faithfulness. The sermon shared a personal illustration of how being seen by a loving father brought both reassurance and accountability, reminding us that God’s attention is motivated by love and care.
God’s omniscient watchfulness ensures that no evil deed escapes notice and that justice will ultimately prevail. This offers hope for those suffering injustice and assures believers that their faithfulness will be vindicated.
Knowing God as El Roi, the God who sees, invites us to trust Him with our past, present, and future. It encourages us to bring our burdens to Him, confident that He understands and acts on our behalf.
The sermon concludes with an invitation to commit our lives to this God who sees us and promises His abiding presence: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This assurance calls us to faith and dependence on God’s unchanging character.

❓ Discussion Questions:

How does knowing that God sees and hears you affect your daily life and choices?
In what ways can we be encouraged by God’s watchfulness during difficult times?
How does the assurance of God’s justice and faithfulness influence your response to suffering or injustice?
What steps can you take to deepen your trust in God as the God who sees and cares for you?

✍️ Personal Application:

Make a daily habit of reminding yourself that God sees your struggles and hears your prayers, and bring your concerns to Him.
Seek ways to live faithfully, knowing that God watches over those who honor Him and hope in His love.
Encourage others with the message that God is attentive to the cries of the afflicted and will act on their behalf.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being the God who sees us—who sees our pain, hears our cries, and knows our hearts. In moments of struggle and uncertainty, remind us that You are near, that You care deeply, and that Your promises are sure. Help us to trust You fully, to obey Your guidance, and to walk faithfully in Your path. May we reflect Your love and mercy to those around us, especially those who feel forgotten or alone. Guide us by Your Spirit as we live out Your truths daily. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Friend. Amen.