Lesson 11 of 17 · Genesis 21-26

Making Tough Choices

Survey Isaac and Rebekah's story to see how prayer, covenant promise, family decisions, and returning to God shape wise choices.

Lesson video

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Required course reading

Genesis 25:1-34 - Making Right Decisions

Read: Complete chapter

PDF pages: 299-315 · About 25 minutes

Focus on family history, God’s promise, election, responsibility, and the long-term results of personal decisions.

Optional deeper reading: Genesis 25-35 - Appreciating God’s Discipline (PDF pages 290-298 · about 11 minutes).

Use the PDF or EPUB course book supplied after confirmed enrollment. In the EPUB, follow the chapter and section titles because page numbers vary by device.

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Introduction

Prepare for the lesson

Isaac's life is quieter than Abraham's, but it is filled with decisions about waiting, marriage, prayer, conflict, family preference, and covenant responsibility. God remains faithful while calling His people to wise, prayerful choices.

Learning objectives

  • Trace God's covenant faithfulness through Isaac's life.
  • See the importance of prayer in family decisions and barrenness.
  • Recognize how values and preferences shape long-term outcomes.
  • Return to God's promise when pressure makes compromise attractive.

Lesson outline

Follow the main teaching

  1. The promised son

    Isaac's life rests on God's promise and provision rather than human ability.

  2. A wife found through faith

    Abraham, the servant, Rebekah, and Isaac each make faith-shaped decisions.

  3. Prayer in barrenness

    Isaac prays, and God answers after a long season of waiting.

  4. Choices within the family

    Parental preferences and the values of Jacob and Esau shape the household.

  5. God preserves the covenant

    Through conflict and weakness, God continues His promised purpose.

Class discussion

Reflect and apply

  1. How did faith shape the search for Isaac's wife?
  2. Why is Isaac's prayer for Rebekah important?
  3. How did family preferences contribute to conflict?
  4. What did Esau's choices reveal about his values?
  5. What difficult decision should be brought more deliberately before God?