Lesson 6
SARAH
"By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised." (Hebrews 11:11)
Text: Genesis 11:29-23:20 |
Name: "Princess" |
Place: Ur of the Chaldeans, Canaan |
Occupation: Wife, mother, household manager |
References: Gen. 49:31; Isa. 51:2; Rom. 4:19; 9:9; Heb. 11:11; 1 Pet. 3:5-6; Gal. 4:26 |
Key: Mother of Nations |
SARAH'S FAMILY & BACKGROUND
Genesis 11:27-32; 17:17; 20:12
· Daughter of Terah
· The half-sister and wife of Abraham
· Ten years younger than Abraham (Gen. 17:17)
· Barren (Gen. 11:30)
SARAH'S BEAUTY
Genesis 12:10-20; 20:1-18; 1 Peter 3:5-6
· Uncommon physical beauty
· Used for protection, but exposed a weakness
· Uncommon inner beauty
SARAH'S IMPATIENCE
Genesis 16-18
· Convinced Abraham to marry Hagar and have a child
· Result of her impatience
· Laughed at the thought of bearing a son
SARAH'S JOY
Genesis 21
· Indicated in the name given her son
· Gave credit and thanks to God
· Cast out the bondwoman and her son
SARAH'S FAITH
Hebrews 11:11
· She had faith in the word of God
· She had faith in the power of God
· She considered God to be faithful
· Her faith was rewarded
SARAH'S LONGEVITY & DEATH
Genesis 23
LESSONS FOR US
· Her faith grew throughout her life
· True faith waits patiently on the Lord
· A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised (Prov. 31:30)
· Inner beauty and strength is most lovely
· Never doubt the word and power of God
· The consequences of sin bring heartache and grief
CLASS DISCUSSION
1. What does the fact that Sarai left her homeland and traveled faithfully with
Abraham suggest to you about the kind of wife she was? (Gen. 11:31; 12:4-5)
2. What was unusual about Sarah's beauty?
3. How did Abraham use her beauty for protection? What resulted from it? (Gen. 12, 20)
4. Who was Sarah's handmaid? What did Sarah do with her and what was the result? (Gen. 16; 21:8-21)
5. How was the casting out of Hagar and her son prophetic? (Gal. 4:21-31)
6. Both Abraham and Sarah laughed when told they would have a son (Gen. 17:17-21; 18:10-15). Was there any difference in their laughter? Explain your answer.
7. What example does Sarah set for women today? (1 Pet. 3:5-6)
8. List the weaknesses and strengths of Sarah.
9. Why should we 'look to Sarah'? (Isa. 51:2)