Genesis 15: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Genesis 15 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

In Genesis chapter 15, God reaffirms His covenant with Abram, addressing his concerns about remaining childless and the future of his descendants. God reassures Abram that his heir will come from his own body, and He leads Abram outside to show him the stars, promising that his offspring will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. This moment emphasizes God's faithfulness and the importance of faith in His promises.

Key verse

“He believed in Yahweh, who credited it to him for righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6 (WEB)

Outline

Genesis 15:1–3 God's Assurance to Abram
Genesis 15:4–6 Promise of Offspring
Genesis 15:7–10 Covenant and Sacrifice
Genesis 15:11–14 Vision of Affliction and Deliverance
Genesis 15:15–18 Promise of Land
Genesis 15:19–21 List of Nations

Discussion questions

In v1, what does Yahweh tell Abram not to be?
What does Abram express concern about in v2?
In vv. 13-14, why does God foretell the affliction of Abram's descendants?
In v17, what do the smoking furnace and flaming torch symbolize in the covenant?
When have you struggled to believe a promise, as Abram did in v6?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Genesis 15: Romans 4, Isaiah 41, Hebrews 13.

Before next time: read Genesis 16.