Prayer Point for the Week – Let us pray that our hearts would be open to God as He forms patience within us.
Questions for Reflection:
In scripture, the people who received promises often waited years before they were fulfilled. What insight does Galatians 4:4&5 give us as to the purpose of Godin seemingly delayed fulfillment of His promises?
In John 4:38, Jesus told His disciples that they were reaping the benefits of the ministry of the people of God in generations passed. What does this show us about the impact of our faithfulness on future generations? How should that make us feel concerning the importance of our faith and prayers today?
In Genesis 16, Abraham and Sarah try to fulfill God’s promises on their own. What were the consequences of taking matters into their own hands? Did their mistake affect the eventual fulfillment of God’s promise? What does this teach us about God’s grace? What does this teach us about nature and power of God’s promises? What
Were they sincere? Did their sincerity save them from grief? Did their mistake affect the eventual fulfillment of God’s promise? In what ways have you tried to “help God?” What were the results? What do we need to have develop within us to avoid trying to make things happen?
There is a difference between impatience and initiative. Compare the four friend in Mark 2 to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 16. How were their actions similar? What was the big difference between the 2? What does that teach about the kind of faith that God is looking for as it relates to His promise?
