Main Idea

Most of us didn’t lose our faith dramatically. No big moment. No crisis. We just slowly stopped expecting God to do anything specific in our lives. And the dangerous part? It felt like maturity. It felt responsible. It felt like we were finally being realistic about faith.

But what if the gap between what God promised and what you see isn’t the end of the story?

Scripture

Genesis 15:1 “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.'”

Genesis 15:2–3 “But Abram said, ‘Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?’ And Abram said, ‘You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.'”

Genesis 15:4–5 “Then the word of the Lord came to him: ‘This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.’ He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.'”

Genesis 15:6 “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

Genesis 12:1 “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'”

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Discussion Questions

• The sermon opened with this question: When is the last time you were genuinely expecting something specific from God and when did that expectation stop?
• Share honestly with your group. What was the moment or season where the leaning forward became sitting back? What caused it?
• Abraham brought his broken heart directly to God “You have given me no children” and God didn’t rebuke him. He responded with more promise and more clarity.
• Is there something you have been afraid to say to God honestly? What would it look like to bring the actual gap not the managed version to God this week?
• The sermon made a distinction between the gifts of God and the God of the gifts. God tells Abraham “I am your very great reward” not just the things He will give.
• Where in your life have you been more focused on what God will do than on God Himself? How does that shift change the way you wait?
• Abraham believed after he stepped outside not before. The movement preceded the faith. The step came first and the believing followed.

What is the one step outside the tent God has been waiting for you to take? Name it specifically. What would it look like to take that step before the end of this week?