Session 11
God was reminding Abram of His plan to make him a great nation.
1 After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield;
your reward will be very great.
2 But Abram said,
“Lord God, what can you give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
3 Abram continued,
“Look, you have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.”
4 Now the word of the Lord came to him:
“This one will not be your heir;
instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”
5 He took him outside and said,
“Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.”
Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”
6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Review verses 2-3.
Identify Abram’s response to God.
Review verses 4-5.
Identify God’s response to Abram.
Read Genesis 15:6.
Explain how Abram was credited with righteousness.
(15:6) “Credited” is an accounting term that relates to assigning value or adding to one’s account.
Righteousness speaks of behavior that holds to a certain standard.
Abram’s belief met God’s standard; therefore, he was in a right standing with God.
This righteousness did not come from anything Abram did. It was a unilateral act of God.
This verse is quoted three times in the New Testament
(Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jas. 2:23).
Emphasize that faith has always been God’s standard for righteousness.