AY Honors/Abraham: Journey of Faith/Answer Key

Abraham: Journey of Faith

Skill Level

1

Year

2025

Version

06.04.2026

Approval authority

Australian Union

1

Explore Abraham’s life through Bible readings, a timeline, or a short video. Create a map or visual timeline showing at least five major moments in Abraham’s journey of faith.

Key Events to Include:

1. God calls Abram to leave Ur (Genesis 12:1–4)
2. Abram travels to Canaan and builds altars (Genesis 12:5–8)
3. God makes a covenant and shows the stars (Genesis 15)
4. Isaac is born (Genesis 21)
5. Sacrifice of Isaac on Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22)

Encourage students to create:

• A map from Ur --> Haran --> Canaan --> Egypt --> Hebron --> Mt. Moriah
• A timeline showing God’s promises, tests, and Abraham’s responses

Discussion Starter: “Would you leave everything behind if God asked you to?”

2

Identify and discuss two moments in Abraham’s life where his faith was tested. How did he respond? What can we learn from his choices - both good and bad?

Encourage Pathfinders to choose two moments from Abraham’s life, explore the passage together, and identify:

• What challenge Abraham faced
• How he responded
• What lesson we can apply today

Use discussion, journaling, small groups, or creative retelling to help them reflect.

Suggested Events:
1. Leaving His Homeland (Genesis 12:1–4)
Faith shown: Abraham obeyed God’s call without knowing where he would end up.

Training emphasis:

• Following God sometimes means stepping into the unknown.
• Obedience can come before full understanding.
• Trust is active, not theoretical.

Suggested question: “Can you think of a time when you didn’t know what would happen, but you had to trust anyway?”

2. The Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)
Faith shown: Abraham demonstrated profound trust by being willing to give up what he valued most.

Training emphasis:

• This story shows ultimate trust, but also that God never desired Isaac to die.
• Focus on God’s provision (“The Lord will provide”) rather than fear.
• Compare with Jesus as the true sacrifice.

Suggested activity: Create a “God will provide” poster or reflection card.

3. Fleeing to Egypt and Lying About Sarah (Genesis 12:10–20)
Failure: Abraham lied to protect himself during famine.

Training emphasis:

• Fear can lead even faithful people to make poor choices.
• Mistakes do not cancel God’s calling or love.
• God protects and restores even when we fail.

Suggested question: “Why do you think Abraham was afraid? What do you do when you’re afraid?”

4. Waiting for God’s Promise of a Son (Genesis 15–18)
Faith tested: Decades passed with no child; Abraham and Sarah wrestled with doubt.

Training emphasis:

• Faith often involves waiting longer than expected.
• God invites honest questions.
• God keeps His promises even when our confidence is shaky.

Suggested reflection: “What is something you’ve had to wait for? How did that feel?”

5. The Situation with Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16, 21)
Failure + faith: Abraham agreed to Sarah’s plan to “help God” by having a child with Hagar, leading to tension and pain.

Training emphasis:

• Taking matters into our own hands can create problems.
• God still cared for Hagar and Ishmael, showing His compassion.
• God reaffirms His promise even after human missteps.

Lesson: God’s plan is best—even when His timing feels slow.

6. Negotiating With God for Sodom (Genesis 18:16–33)
Faith shown: Abraham boldly interceded for others.

Training emphasis:

• Faith is not passive—intercessory prayer shows trust in God’s character.
• Abraham models compassion and courage.

Suggested activity: Pray as a group for someone in need.

7. Giving Lot the First Choice of the Land (Genesis 13)
Faith shown: Abraham allowed Lot to choose the best-looking land first.

Training emphasis:

• Faith trusts God to provide, even when we give up advantage.
• Peace is more important than winning or being first.

Lesson: Generosity flows from faith.

8. Rescuing Lot from Capture (Genesis 14)
Faith shown: Abraham risked himself and his men to free Lot.

Training emphasis:

• Faith leads to bravery and loyalty.
• Doing what is right can be costly.

Suggested question: “When is it difficult to stand up for someone?”

9. Refusing the King of Sodom’s Wealth (Genesis 14:21–24)
Faith shown: Abraham refused rewards so no one could claim credit for God’s blessings.

Training emphasis:

• Integrity matters.
• Faith gives God the glory, not people.

Lesson: We don’t compromise our values for personal gain.

3

Study God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3, 15, 17). Summarize in your own words:

• What did God promise?
• What did Abraham need to do?
• Why is this covenant important in the Bible?

What did God promise?

• To make Abraham a great nation
• To bless him and make his name great
• To bless all nations through his descendants
• To give him the land of Canaan
• To give him a son and countless descendants

What did Abraham have to do?

• Obey God’s call
• Walk blamelessly before God (Genesis 17:1)
• Believe God's promises

Why is it important?

• Jesus is seen as a descendant who fulfills the promise to bless all nations
• It introduces the idea of covenant relationship—faith + obedience

4

Examine Abraham’s flaws and failures. Choose one mistake he made (e.g., lying about Sarah, having a child with Hagar). Discuss in a group or write about:

• Why did he make this choice?
• What were the consequences?
• How did God respond?

Encourage honest discussion about how even heroes of faith make poor choices.

Example: Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 16)

• Why? Impatience; Sarah and Abraham tried to “help” God fulfill the promise
• Consequences: Family tension, sorrow, generational conflict
• God’s Response: God still blessed Ishmael and renewed the promise to Isaac

Key Lesson: God’s faithfulness isn’t based on our perfection

Reflective Prompt: “Can you think of a time when you rushed God’s plan?”

5

Explore symbols in Abraham’s story: Choose two and explain what they mean. Some examples:

• Stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5)
• Name change (Abram --> Abraham)
• Altar-building
• Circumcision
• Sacrifice of Isaac

1. Stars in the Sky (Genesis 15:5)
Meaning: God’s promise of countless descendants—far beyond what Abraham could imagine.

Teaching Focus:

• The stars represent the size and certainty of God’s covenant.
• God invites Abraham to look upward, shifting his gaze from his problems to God’s power.
• This symbol teaches patience, hope, and trust when the promise seems impossible.

2. Name Change (Abram --> Abraham; Sarai --> Sarah)
Meaning: God gives Abraham and Sarah new identities connected to His promises.

Teaching Focus:

• Abram (“exalted father”) becomes Abraham (“father of many nations”).
• A name change marks a new calling and a deeper relationship with God.
• God sees potential long before the promise is fulfilled.
• This helps Pathfinders reflect on identity, calling, and transformation.

3. Altar-Building (Genesis 12, 13, 22)
Meaning: Worship, surrender, gratitude, and marking significant moments with God.

Teaching Focus:

• Abraham builds altars at key places to remember God’s guidance.
• Altars symbolize commitment—giving every part of life to God.
• Encourage Pathfinders to consider what “altars” look like today (prayer time, service, journaling, gratitude practices).

4. Circumcision (Genesis 17)
Meaning: A physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants.

Teaching Focus:

• Emphasize the symbolic meaning, not the medical details.
• Represents belonging to God, obedience, and dedication.
• Teaches that faith is meant to be visible and lived out, not hidden.
• In the New Testament, this symbol becomes connected with a “circumcised heart”—a life shaped by God (Romans 2:29).

Leader Note: Keep this segment age appropriate and focused on meaning, identity, and covenant.

5. Sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22)
Meaning: A dramatic picture of trust, obedience, and God’s ultimate provision.

Teaching Focus:

• Isaac represents what Abraham loves most—faith means trusting God even with the things we hold dearly.
• God never intended Isaac to die; the symbol is about faith, not violence.
• The ram provided by God points forward to Jesus, the ultimate substitute and sacrifice.
• Focus on God’s character: He provides, He tests for growth, not destruction.

6

Explore how Abraham’s story connects to the rest of the Bible. Choose two of the connection types below and explain what you discover.

This requirement helps Pathfinders understand that Abraham is not just a figure of the Old Testament — his life, choices, and faith are woven throughout the entire Bible narrative. The goal is for learners to see continuity, symbolism, and ongoing relevance in Abraham’s story.

6a

Abraham in the New Testament
Find at least two places where Abraham is mentioned in the New Testament and explain: Why is he mentioned? What point is the writer making about faith, promises, or Jesus?

Abraham is mentioned repeatedly in the New Testament because he represents: faith, covenant relationship, God’s promise, and the spiritual ancestry of all believers.

Key Teaching Points

• Show Pathfinders that the New Testament writers use Abraham as a model of living faith, not just history.
• Encourage them to identify the context of each reference — Is Jesus speaking? Paul? James? Why?

Helpful Passages to Explore

• Romans 4 — Paul uses Abraham as the prime example of righteousness by faith.
• Galatians 3 — Believers are called “children of Abraham” through faith.
• James 2:21–23 — Abraham’s faith and actions worked together.
• Hebrews 11:8–12 — Abraham listed among the heroes of faith.
• Matthew 1:1 — Abraham at the very start of Jesus’ genealogy.
• John 8:39 — Jesus challenges what true children of Abraham look like.

Reflection Prompts

• “Why do New Testament writers keep returning to Abraham?”
• “How does Abraham help us understand what faith looks like today?”

6b

Isaac’s near sacrifice as a symbol of Jesus
Explain how the story of Abraham offering Isaac points forward to Jesus. You may compare things like: the “beloved son,” sacrifice, obedience, the ram vs. Jesus as the true substitute.

This option teaches Pathfinders to recognize foreshadowing and messianic symbolism — important skills for understanding the Bible’s unity.

Key Teaching Points

• This is not a story about God wanting Isaac to die; it’s about trust, obedience, and God’s provision.
• Many details in Genesis 22 point forward to Jesus’ sacrifice.

Parallels to Highlight

• Beloved Son: Isaac is Abraham’s “only son…whom you love”; Jesus is God’s beloved Son.
• Willing Submission: Isaac cooperates with his father; Jesus willingly accepts the cross.
• Carrying the Wood: Isaac carries the wood up the mountain; Jesus carries the cross.
• Location: Mount Moriah is traditionally linked to the area of Jerusalem.
• Substitute Provided: A ram takes Isaac’s place; Jesus becomes our substitute.
• “God will provide the lamb” — a prophetic statement fulfilled in Christ.

Reflection Prompts

• “What does this story teach us about who Jesus is?”
• “What does it show about God’s character — especially His desire to provide?”

6c

Abraham as a role model of faith
Describe two ways Abraham’s faith gives us an example to follow today. You may consider: trusting God when the future is unclear, obeying even when afraid, believing God’s promises, earning from mistakes.

Abraham’s life contains dozens of moments that show how real faith works — in success, in waiting, in fear, and in failure. This option helps Pathfinders relate Abraham’s life to their own spiritual journey.

Key Teaching Points

• Abraham’s faith isn’t perfect — and that’s the point.
• His story teaches that faith is a journey shaped by trust, obedience, and God’s grace.
• God invites us to follow Him in the same way Abraham did.

Practical Examples to Explore Pathfinders may draw from any of these:

• Trusting God when the future is unclear (Genesis 12).
• Obeying even when afraid or unsure (Genesis 22).
• Believing God’s promises despite long delays (Genesis 15).
• Learning from mistakes (Egypt, Hagar, fear, impatience).
• Interceding for others (Genesis 18 — Sodom & Gomorrah).
• Choosing peace instead of conflict (Genesis 13 — Lot).
• Showing integrity and refusing rewards (Genesis 14 — King of Sodom).

Reflection Prompts

• “Which part of Abraham’s faith journey feels most similar to your life?”
• “What does Abraham show us about how to trust God today?”

Teaching Tips for Leaders

• Encourage Pathfinders to use Bible references when explaining their answers.
• Allow time for discussion; this requirement is ideal for group discovery.
• Reinforce that God uses imperfect people to do extraordinary things.

7

Create something to express what you’ve learned about faith. Choose one:

• A short skit or drama of Abraham's journey
• A symbolic craft (e.g., star mobile, altar model, journey map)
• A short devotion or spoken-word poem about faith
• A poster comparing "God’s promise" vs "Abraham’s fear"

Give space for creative response. Offer multiple options and supplies. Let them work solo or in groups.

Suggested Materials:

• Cardboard, glue, glitter stars
• Map templates and timelines
• Journals or blank posters
• Costumes or props for short drama

Afterward, allow time for sharing presentations or artwork. Consider display in church or club hall.

References

• Australian Union Abraham: Journey of Faith Honor