Surrender

Text: Genesis 22:1-19

Questions:

• Should a Christian always have to know a reason for why God does what He does? Why or why not? (It is natural to desire an answer, but we will not always receive one. The point should be made that although we may not understand an event or circumstance, if we are to gain rather than become embittered and confused over the lack of an explanation, we must choose to believe that the divine hand of God has permitted it. Acceptance can lead to spiritual growth instead of despair, to blessing instead of bitterness.)
• What attitudes or characteristics in our lives make surrender difficult?
• Is surrendering to God an indication of weakness? Why or why not?
• What is the opposite of surrender? (resistance, pride, unyieldingness, defiance, rebellion)
• Describe the benefits of having a life and will completely surrendered to God.
• How will having surrendered ourselves to God impact our relationships with others?
• What is surrender?
• Give examples of Bible characters who displayed a surrendered spirit. (Job--Job 1:21; Mary—Luke 1:38; Jesus—Matthew 26:39)
• How do we see submissiveness exemplified in the life of Christ?
• What type of guarantees does a complete surrender to Christ bring?
• What are some areas of life where our surrender might be tested?
• The word “surrender” implies a conflict between two opposing factions. In our Christian experience, what are these factions?
• Abraham recognized God’s voice well enough to know it was God speaking, although the instruction seemed contrary to what one would expect God to say. How can we know God’s voice?
• Might the devil tempt us to “surrender” something foolish/detrimental? How can we discern if it is God or the devil talking to us?

Thought to ponder:

“A hard obedience accepted for Christ is the cross taken up. Each time my heart in love says “yes” when my human nature says“no,” there the cross is taken up.” – Elizabeth Elliot

Possible Opener:

Have a rope for a tug-of-war—either one against one or several against several. Make the point that sometimes the struggle is our will against God’s will. What happens if one person/side quits tugging? The tug-of-war is over.What happens if we yield to God and quit struggling?

Supplemental Scriptures:

Job 1:21

Psalm 143:10

Luke 1:38

James 4:7

Psalm 40:6

Matthew 12:50

James 4:15

Romans 12:1

Philippians 3:7-8