Isaac moves from fear to faith. He repeats the failure of his father, Abraham, by deceiving the Philistine king, when he was afraid. However, he experienced God’s tremendous and undeserved blessings by becoming wealthy, putting his confidence in God, and finding peace and safety. Abraham was told to go. Isaac was told to stay, and dwell precisely where God wanted him to be. God doesn’t need my retaliation to bring justice, or help His promise along. Isaac’s story presents an example for Jacob that Jacob seems to have missed or ignored. This could be an opportunity to emphasize God’s promises to us. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 1. Read Genesis 26:1-5. Describe why you think God stopped Isaac from going to Egypt. What did God want Isaac to learn from it, and what does God want us to learn? 2. In Genesis 26:7, Isaac's fear caused him to fail to trust God's deliverance and lie about his wife. When fear gets hold of us, how does it affect our faith? 3. In Genesis 26: 12-14 Isaac sowed the land with seeds. Observe how God blessed Isaac's return of his investment. Why do you think God blessed Isaac a hundredfold, especially after he failed to trust in God's protection? 4. From Verses 12-23, How would you recognize if God is using blessing and trouble to move you away from opposition to bring you to His desired place to bless you fully? 5. What can we learn from Isaac not fighting back but relinquishing his wells to the Philistines. What do you think was the reason behind it? How would you react, if you were in the same situation? 6. What did you learn this weekend that inspired, challenged, or sparked disagreement or further consideration?