Learn the Story of God and of the Old Testament

Season 2: The Promise

2.2 — God’s Covenant with Abram

Standing beneath a brilliant night sky, Abraham hears God's promise that his descendants will become a great nation. Though the promise seems impossible, Abraham chooses to trust God. This covenant becomes a cornerstone of the Old Testament and demonstrates God's faithfulness across generations. The stars symbolize both God's promise and the countless people who would one day be blessed through Abraham's family line, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Count the Stars
God promised Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars in the heavens, reminding him that God’s plans are greater than human limitations.

2.2 — God’s Covenant with Abram

Scripture

Genesis 15:1–21; Genesis 17:1–8

God’s call brought Abram into a journey of faith, but God’s promises had not yet been fulfilled. Abram was growing older and still had no child. How could he become a great nation if he had no heir?

In these chapters, God reassures Abram and establishes a covenant with him. A covenant is a sacred promise or binding agreement. God promises that Abram’s descendants will be numerous, that they will inherit the land, and that God’s relationship with them will continue through generations.

This covenant becomes one of the most important foundations of the Old Testament story and reveals God’s faithfulness to His promises.

GROW Framework

Grounded in Scripture

God spoke to Abram and said:

“Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; your reward shall be very great.” (Genesis 15:1 NASB)

Abram wondered how God’s promises could come true since he had no children.

God led Abram outside and said:

“Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them… So shall your descendants be.” (Genesis 15:5 NASB)

Genesis 15:6 records a key verse:

“Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness.”

Later, in Genesis 17, God formally established His covenant, changing Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations.”

Reasons We Believe

God’s covenant with Abraham teaches us several important truths:

God keeps His promises even when circumstances seem impossible.

God’s plans often unfold over years rather than days.

Faith is trusting God’s word even before we see the results.

God desires a relationship with His people built on grace and trust.

Throughout Scripture, God’s covenant faithfulness becomes a recurring theme. Again and again, God proves that He can be trusted.

Obedience in Action

Abraham did not have all the answers.

He still had questions.

He still faced uncertainty.

Yet he chose to believe.

We often find ourselves in similar situations:

We pray and wait.

We trust when answers seem delayed.

We continue walking with God even when the future is unclear.

Faith grows when we remember God’s promises and choose to trust Him daily.

Walk It Out

Consider these questions:

What promise of God do I need to remember today?

Where am I tempted to give up while waiting?

How has God shown faithfulness in my life before?

What step of trust can I take this week?

Like Abraham, we are invited to trust God’s character even when we cannot yet see the outcome.

Key Truth

God’s promises are trustworthy because God is faithful.

Connecting to Jesus

The covenant with Abraham points forward to Jesus Christ.

God promised that all nations would be blessed through Abraham’s descendants. Through Jesus, that promise is fulfilled as salvation is offered to people from every nation, tribe, and language.

The story of Abraham reminds us that God’s plan of redemption was unfolding long before Jesus was born.

The Next Lesson

2.3 Isaac: The Child of Promise

After years of waiting, God fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah through the birth of Isaac, demonstrating His faithfulness and perfect timing.

Continue to the next lesson:
2.3 Isaac: The Child of Promise

 

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