In Pursuit: God's Redemptive Plan Personified

In Pursuit - Week 1
God’s Redemptive Plan Personified – A Journey to Joshua

Student Review and Discussion Guide

Major Review Points From Sermon:

1. The Fall and Spiritual Entropy

• Adam and Eve’s sin introduced imperfection and separation from God.
• Without God’s sustaining presence, sin and moral decay (spiritual entropy) increased rapidly.

2. The Flood and Reset

• Humanity’s sin grew so extreme that God sent the flood.
• Noah "walked with God" and was spared to carry on God's plan.

3. Tower of Babel and Continued Rebellion

• Even after the flood, humanity rebelled again, trying to make a name for themselves.
• God confused their languages and scattered them across the earth.

4. God’s New Strategy: Forming a Nation

• Instead of isolated faithful individuals, God chose to create a people group — Israel — to represent Him to the world.

5. The Calling of Abram

• God called Abram out of idolatrous Ur and made promises to bless him and all nations through him.
• Multiple "Heavenly Phone Calls" confirmed and expanded God's covenant.

6. Covenant and Righteousness

• Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
• God promised Abram land, descendants, and global blessing through his lineage.

7. The Bigger Picture

• Through Israel, God revealed His light to the nations to draw them to Him, and also prepared the world for Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
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Student Discussion Questions:
1. What happens to people and societies when God is removed from the center of life?
(Hint: Think about "spiritual entropy.")

Discussion Prompt:
Where do you see signs of "spiritual entropy" in our culture today?
2. Why do you think God chose to form a nation (Israel) instead of continuing to work through just individuals like Noah and Enoch?

Discussion Prompt:
How does community (church, small groups) still reflect God’s strategy today?
3. What stands out to you about Abram's obedience when God called him to "go" without knowing the full plan?

Discussion Prompt:
Have you ever had to step out in faith without seeing the full picture? How did God meet you there?
4. How does God's covenant with Abram show both His grace and His commitment?

Discussion Prompt:
How can remembering God’s faithfulness encourage us when we face doubts about His promises?
5. Genesis 15:6 says that Abram "believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness."
Why is this moment so important in the story of salvation history?

Discussion Prompt:
How does this truth — that we are made right with God by faith, not works — impact your daily walk with Him?
6. What role does Israel’s story play in preparing the way for Jesus Christ?

Discussion Prompt:
How does understanding Israel’s mission help you better understand your mission as a Christian today?

Closing Reflection:

• If God called you to step out in a new way today, would you trust Him like Abram did?
• How can you stay close to God this week to resist the natural "entropy" of sin in your own heart?

Leader/Facilitator Guide
From Promise to Possession – A Journey to Joshua
(Synchronized with Student Copy)
God’s Redemptive Plan Personified – A Journey to Joshua

Major Review Points From Sermon:

1. The Fall and Spiritual Entropy

• Adam and Eve’s sin introduced imperfection and separation from God.
• Without God’s sustaining presence, sin and moral decay (spiritual entropy) increased rapidly.

2. The Flood and Reset

• Humanity’s sin grew so extreme that God sent the flood.
• Noah "walked with God" and was spared to carry on God's plan.

3. Tower of Babel and Continued Rebellion

• Even after the flood, humanity rebelled again, trying to make a name for themselves.
• God confused their languages and scattered them across the earth.

4. God’s New Strategy: Forming a Nation

• Instead of isolated faithful individuals, God chose to create a people group — Israel — to represent Him to the world.

5. The Calling of Abram

• God called Abram out of idolatrous Ur and made promises to bless him and all nations through him.
• Multiple "Heavenly Phone Calls" confirmed and expanded God's covenant.

6. Covenant and Righteousness

• Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
• God promised Abram land, descendants, and global blessing through his lineage.

7. The Bigger Picture

• Through Israel, God revealed His light to the nations to draw them to Him, and  also prepared the world for Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
• 
  

Discussion Questions:
1. What happens to people and societies when God is removed from the center of life?
(Hint: Think about "spiritual entropy.")
Leader Notes:

• Sin increases without God's intervention.
• Moral, social, and spiritual decay accelerates.
• Left to ourselves, disorder grows — just like entropy in physics.

Discussion Tip:
Invite examples: news, history, or personal life where ignoring God led to chaos.

2. Why do you think God chose to form a nation (Israel) instead of continuing to work through just individuals like Noah and Enoch?
Leader Notes:

• A nation could display God's character to the world at a larger, visible scale.
• Faithfulness would be modeled generation after generation.
• Community reflects God's relational nature.

Discussion Tip:
Ask how being part of a faith community (church, group) helps them walk with God.

3. What stands out to you about Abram's obedience when God called him to "go" without knowing the full plan?
Leader Notes:

• Abram showed courageous trust.
• Obedience even without knowing all the details shows deep faith.
• Trust in God's character outweighed uncertainty.

Discussion Tip:
Let people share personal "faith steps" they've had to take.

4. How does God's covenant with Abram show both His grace and His commitment?
Leader Notes:

• God initiated and guaranteed the covenant.
• God's faithfulness does not depend on human perfection.
• Covenant shows God's relentless pursuit of relationship.

Discussion Tip:
Highlight how God's promises hold firm even when we struggle.

5. Genesis 15:6 says that Abram "believed the Lord, and He credited it to him as righteousness." Why is this moment so important in the story of salvation history?
Leader Notes:

• Introduces the doctrine of salvation by faith, not works.
• Sets the foundation for understanding justification through Christ.

Discussion Tip:
You could briefly connect to Romans 4 or Galatians 3 if you want a New Testament tie-in.

6. What role does Israel’s story play in preparing the way for Jesus Christ?
Leader Notes:

• Israel provided the lineage, law, and promises pointing to Jesus.
• God's faithfulness to Israel sets up His faithfulness to the Church.

Discussion Tip:
Discuss how God's "big picture plan" continues today through us as His people.

Closing Reflection Prompts:

• Personal: Is there an area where God is asking you to "go" without seeing the full plan?
• Practical: How can you stay spiritually close to God this week and resist the pull of "spiritual entropy"?