Hebrews 4:14-16

1. In the Bible, testing and tempting are not the same thing. God never tempts His people to sin (James 1:13). But God sometimes does allow our faith to be tested for the sake of refinement. It is one thing to say you trust in God and His promises—it is another thing for that faith to be tested. Read Hebrews 11:17–19. If faith trusts God and His promises, what does it look like for our faith to be tested?
2. Describe a time when your faith was tested. Have a few people share.
3. Read Genesis 22:1–8. Seemingly, the death of Isaac would contradict all God had promised to Abraham. Nevertheless, Abraham was committed to obeying God. Observe and discuss the faith of Abraham on display in the passage.
4. Has there ever been a time in your life when being obedient to God meant laying down something you loved or desired? If so, what did you do and what have you learned about that moment or season?
5. Read Genesis 22:9–19. The author of Hebrews features Abraham as an exemplar of faith worthy of our imitation. What opportunities do you have right now to demonstrate faith in God as Abraham did?
6. Spend some time in prayer with and for one another.