Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 121

Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the Psalm as a group

1  I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

2  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

3  He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber.

4  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5  The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

6  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

7  The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

8  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The Sacrifice of Isaac

Genesis 22

1.       What kind of “test” is this? What is the purpose of this test? What does Abraham (and all Israel) realize about God, and Abraham’s devotion to Him? How do Patriarchs “test” their sons?

2.       How does God describe Isaac? How does this description correspond with a Patriarch’s affection for his son?

3.       How does Abraham’s faith and obedience challenge you as a Patriarch?

4.       What might Isaac’s perception of this sacrifice be? Would his perception be the same as Abraham’s? When might your son’s perception of your obedience to God differ from your perception?

5.       Child sacrifice was common not only around Israel, but sometimes within Israel. What does Genesis 22 reveal about God, Abraham and child-sacrifice?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will give my children more responsibility in the house to train them in work and obedience.
2.    I will show special affection to each of my children this week.
3.    I will speak to a priest to offer a mass for my family.
4.    I will spend time in adoration asking the Lord if I am withholding anything from him.
5.    I will read Luke 18:18-30 and reflect on how that story relates to Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, and how it relates to my own life.
6.    I will ask my wife if she has observed any attachments in my life that may be an idol distracting me from God.
7.    I will speak with my children about placing trust in God.
8.    I will give my children money to place in the offertory basket at mass to teach them how to tithe.
 

Previous Resolutions - Genesis 21

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.