Day 4: Genesis 12:1-3

Read Genesis 12:1-3

• Many would be surprised to hear that the concept of church planting appears in the Old Testament. Yet an important foundation for spreading the gospel and establishing God's people is found as early as Genesis 12, in the call of Abram.

• The call of Abram marks the beginning of God’s plan for the redemption of the world. The call of Abram is based solely on God’s grace and not Abram’s righteousness. God’s purpose in this call is clear: God will bless the whole world through Abram and his descendants. This not only includes those biologically descended from Abram, but also all the people on earth who will unite with him through placing faith in his ultimate descendant, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

• The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, the call to make disciples of all the nations, is grounded in this Genesis 12 promise that the nations will be blessed through the offspring of Abraham. All of us who are spiritual offspring in Christ (Gal 3:8-9) get to share the good news about him, thus joining in the mission of being a blessing to the world. God’s people, both in the Old and New Testaments, were never meant to remain stationary and to themselves, but were meant to expand the gospel blessing further. 

Reflection Questions: 

• What does it look like in my context to help expand God’s blessing to others through church planting or supporting a new church?

• Are there ways in which you have become too “stationary” or “keeping to yourself” in your faith walk? How does the purpose of God’s people as found in  Genesis 12 help you to engage those around for the sake of the gospel?