1
2	Middle East: The Earth’s Faithful Corner
3	World of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs
4	Abraham-Sarah: What’s the Point? Traditional Answers: Testing of Faith, Salvation History, Covenant. Brainstorm other options What would count as evidence?
5	Theme of Abraham-Sarah: Re-creation Journey from Barrenness to Fertility Sarai is described as barren in toledoth list. Famine in Canaan upon arrival. Continual promise of descendents contrasts with Sarah’s on-going barrenness. Abraham's & Sarah’s position relative to Promised Land (Canaan) is measure of their fruitful faith in God’s promised fulfillment. KISS: God’s Faithfulness! A new attempt by God to set world right (re-order or re-create it) by forming a committed relationship with a people. Striving to create a fruitfully faithful community. The amazing pattern of the two covenants – God’s pledge!
6	Birthright and Blessing Complex
7	Toledoth
8	Abraham and Sarah’s Journey
9	12-Chapter Story of Abraham’s 12-Step Journey
10	Cutting a Covenant (berit)! Genesis 15 v 1: God as shield (vs. bow in Noah story) Two promises: offspring and land v 6: who is righteous? v 17: God passes through split animals! v 18: God cuts covenant of union. Genesis 17 v. 1: Abram to walk blamelessly before God. Two promises: offspring and land v. 5, 15: Name changes v. 10-13: Abraham to split the source of procreation! v. 14: People cut off from covenant if not circumcised.
11	Genesis 22: Sacrifice of Isaac God summons Abraham (vv 1-2) God: "Abraham!" Abraham: "I am right here." Command: "Take your son“ 2. Isaac summons Abraham (vv 7-8) Isaac: "Father!" Abraham: "I am right here." Question: "Where is the lamb?" Abraham: "God will provide.“ 3. Angel summons Abraham (vv 11-12) Angel: "Abraham, Abraham!" Abraham: "I am right here." Command: "Do not harm the boy."
12	Parallels between Abraham’s Call and Testing
13
14
15	Two Different Models of Faith: Abraham and Jacob Abrahamic Model Abraham believes, then is tested. Conversion is an “instantaneous,” moment– an immediate trusting in God. Jacobite Model Jacob tests, then believes. Conversion is a gradual process – a long struggle of coming to trust God.
16	Jacob’s Story
17	Jacob is Renamed Israel Israel can be translated as meaning: “one who strives/struggles God” Which meaning gives you the most comfort? The least comfort? Why?
18	Models of Faith Which model of faith – Abraham’s instant conversion to belief or Jacob’s gradual process of coming to trust – most closely parallels your own experience? How would you tell the story of your faith journey? What literary genre would you use to communicate the fundamental truth (the really real) of your faith journey story – and why? What would be the basic plot line?