Pair 1
Begun
Week 4 of 6 · A New Beginning
The promised seed and true sonship
Led by Ezra · 2026-11-30
Abraham’s story is not cancelled. It is fulfilled in the Son greater than Abraham.
Genesis reading
Genesis 3:15; 12:1–3; 22:1–18
John reading
John 8:31–59
Set the table
Genesis sets up
In the ruins of Genesis 3, God promises a seed who will crush the serpent. Later he calls Abraham so that blessing might reach all families of the earth. On Moriah, a beloved son, a knife, and a provided substitute teach Israel to hope in God’s provision. Promise runs through judgment, family, and sacrifice.
John accomplishes
In John 8 a crowd claims Abraham while resisting Jesus. Jesus unmasks another father — the devil, a murderer from the beginning — and claims that Abraham rejoiced to see his day. The argument ends with the thunderclap: “Before Abraham was, I am.” Genesis’ seed, blessing, and beloved son converge on him.
Walkthrough
Leader guide — teach aloud or adapt.
1.Teach Genesis 3:15 as promise inside judgment. The serpent will strike; the seed will crush. John 8:44 pulls the mask off the serpent’s family line. Jesus does not flatter religious ancestry; he names the war Genesis announced.
2.Then open Genesis 12:1–3 beside John 8:39–40, 56. True children of Abraham do Abraham’s works and share Abraham’s joy in Jesus’ day. The blessing for the nations is not an abstract destiny; it is located in the One Abraham longed to see.
3.If you take the deeper pair, linger in Genesis 22. A father, an only son, wood, a knife, and a substitute. The emotional centre of Israel’s hope is provision. John answers with a Son who is not merely provided for — he is the “I am” before Abraham existed.
4.Help the group feel the offence and the mercy. Offence: family badges do not save. Mercy: Abraham’s story is not erased; it is accomplished in Jesus for anyone who abides in his word.
Core pairs
Walk each pair: Genesis → John → the accomplished line.
Pair 2
Begun
Teach notes
- Map three Genesis moments on a timeline: 3:15 → 12:1–3 → 22. Then drop John 8 on top.
- Let the room sit with John 8:44 without softening it into vague “spiritual warfare” talk. Name deceit and death.
- Ask: “What family story do we trust more than Jesus?” Church, ethnicity, morality, success — name local idols.
- When you reach “I am,” connect to Exodus carefully but keep Genesis in view: the God of promise now stands in front of them.
- Close with joy: Abraham rejoiced. Fulfilment is not only argument; it is gladness.
Watch for
- Using this text only to attack “the Jews” instead of exposing false assurance in us.
- Skipping Gen 3:15 and making the week only about Abrahamic pride.
- Hearing “I am” as a slogan without the Genesis 22 ache underneath.
Key takeaway
Belonging to Abraham’s family is proven by belonging to Abraham’s Seed — Jesus.
Challenge
Read Genesis 22 once and John 8:48–59 once on the same day. Write one sentence: “Abraham’s hope becomes ___ in Jesus.”
Discussion
- What false family identity do we cling to instead of the Son?
- How does “Before Abraham was, I am” complete Genesis rather than erase it?
- Where is the serpent’s lie still shaping your fear, blame, or self-protection?
- What would it mean for your household to “rejoice to see Jesus’ day” the way Abraham did?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, Seed and Son and I AM: break the serpent’s hold, fulfil Abraham’s joy in us, and make us children who abide in your word. Amen.
After the study
Week recap
Walk the published slide recap for Week 4 · led by Ezra.
Open recap