Opening Questions and Prayer
Who are some people that have been a blessing in your life this past year?
When you think of a blessing, especially the Lord’s blessing, what comes to mind?
Spend some time thanking the Lord for His blessing in your life.
Read Genesis 1:27-28 NLT
27 So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
How did the Lord bless Adam and Eve?
Why did He bless them?
Why do people often associate the Lord’s blessing with money or material possessions?
How does His blessing over the first people show that it’s so much more than that?
What are some ways the Lord has blessed you?
Read Genesis 12:1-3, 22:15-18, 27:27-29
12:1-3
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
What did the Lord want to do through Abram’s family?
What did the Lord want from Abram in return for the blessing?
What are some things the Lord is calling you away from?
What are some things the Lord is calling you toward?
How might the Lord bless your obedience to His calling in your life?
Read Genesis 22:15-18
22:15-18
15 Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven. 16 “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that 17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies. 18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”
Why did the Lord want Abraham’s full obedience?
What are some ways people want the blessings of God without actually fully giving their lives to Him?
What is something standing in the way of you fully obeying God?
What do you need to do this week to get rid of that thing and give it over to God?
Who can help you do this?
Read Genesis 27:27-29
27:27-29
27 So Jacob went over and kissed him. And when Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he was finally convinced, and he blessed his son. He said, “Ah! The smell of my son is like the smell of the outdoors, which the Lord has blessed!
28 “From the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. 29 May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you.
May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed.”
How was Isaac’s blessing meant to help Jacob personally?
How was this blessing meant to help those who Jacob came into contact with?
What are some ways God’s blessing in your life can benefit those around you?
Are you using your blessings from the Lord to help others? If not, what can you do to pass that blessing along?
Read Numbers 6:22-27
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
24 ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”
Why is this blessing significant to the people of Israel?
How have you seen this blessing from the Lord in your life?
What does it mean for the Lord to smile on you?
What is one way you can bless someone else this week?
Memorize it!
Numbers 6:24-26
24 ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. 25 May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’
Closing thoughts and prayer
Many people think that God’s blessing in your life means that you have stacks of money, fancy cars, and a large home. We often confuse material wealth with the Lord’s blessings. While He may give you monetary wealth, it’s never meant for you to hold on to. As we’ve read today, the blessings of the Lord are so that you may bless others, with the intention that they will come to know Jesus. Thank God for the blessings in your life this past year. Ask the Lord to show you ways that you can bless others this week. Then listen to His answer and do what He says. Go out and be a blessing this week!