Genesis 18:1-15

The Three Visitors

18 The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”

“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”

7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he said.

10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Pondering Point

What a good reminder that we never know when we might be "entertaining angels unaware" (Hebrews 13:2). This story from Genesis 18:1-5 combines well with Jesus' encouragement that however we treat others is akin to our treatment of Him (Matthew 25:40). Both can serve as a great reminder to treat people well at all times – like we would treat Jesus. I know we’ve all got some things to work on here.

Prayer Prompt

Father God, what is mine is Yours. May all that I have be at Your disposal to bless others – be it at home or elsewhere. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Hook Questions

Use these questions with your group when you are using Bible stories as central to your time together.

1. Share a time when someone hosted you and treated you very well – or – when you hosted in unique situation.
   

Bible Storying's Core Questions

1. What did you like (or learn new) about the story?
   
2. What did you not like (or not understand) about it?
   
3. What are the various people doing in the story? With whom do you identify within the story?
   
4. What is God doing in the story?
   
5. What might God be asking of you triggered by this story? How is He challenging you?

Remember: A great way to get God’s stories to stick with you is telling them to other people.