Gospel Outreach International

What does it mean to truly walk by faith when God calls us to leave everything familiar behind? This Bible study explores Genesis 12, examining Abraham’s divine calling to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown land. Through Abraham’s example, we discover that authentic faith requires not just belief, but complete obedience and trust in God’s promises, even when the path ahead is unclear and the journey is difficult. This study challenges us to consider our own response to God’s calling and the role of faith in our daily Christian walk.

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Genesis 12:3

• The chapter and verse divisions in our modern Bibles are of human origin and don’t always align with the original flow of Scripture. Genesis 11:31 actually connects directly with Genesis 12:1.
• Terah set out from Ur to go to Canaan with his family but settled in Haran and never completed the journey, which represents a failure to fully follow through on a divine calling.
• All Christians are called out of the world to be different and to journey toward heaven on the highway of holiness, which Jesus describes as a narrow way.
• Even when we stop progressing spiritually, God does not forget us or leave us on the scrap heap. Those who didn’t reach Canaan still served a purpose in God’s plans.
• Young Christians need the milk of the Word, but must grow to eat the meat through deeper study and understanding of Scripture.
• Abraham’s call from God was clear, had a specific destination (Canaan), and required a life of faith. God twice referred to Abraham as His friend.
• The call involved separation from family, lifestyle, and familiar comforts. Salvation is free, but discipleship is often difficult and costly.
• God promised to make Abraham a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and through him bless all families of the earth.
• Those who live by faith are the true children of Abraham, regardless of physical lineage. This includes Christians from every tribe, nation, and tongue.
• Abraham demonstrated immediate obedience at age 75, leaving everything as God commanded without argument or delay.
• Even when famine came to Canaan and Abraham’s faith wavered in Egypt, God intervened to protect and deliver him.
• The key to Christian life is obedience: if God says it, we believe it and act on it, demonstrating our faith through our actions.

Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. Genesis 12:7

This study beautifully reminds us that walking with Jesus isn’t always smooth sailing, but He’s worth following completely. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus is the seed of Abraham, and we follow in those footsteps by living and walking by faith. What really struck me was the reminder that Christ paid the price for our salvation so we could be cleansed, forgiven, and redeemed. The message about Jesus being present with us forever more if we die—”absent from the body present with the Lord”—gives such comfort and hope. It’s encouraging to know that even when our faith wavers like Abraham’s did in Egypt, Jesus remains faithful and God intervenes to protect and deliver us. The bottom line? Walking with Jesus requires obedience, but He’s always there guiding us, even through the famines and difficulties of life.

Bible References

• Genesis 12:
• Genesis 11:31
• Hebrews
• Psalm 34:7
• Galatians 3
• Romans 4
• Philippians 3