A Legacy of Leadership
Week 1: Abraham – A Legacy of Faith
Key Verse:
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his
inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” –
Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)
Big Idea:
Abraham’s leadership legacy is defined by his unwavering faith and obedience to God’s
call, even when the future was unclear. His journey shows us that trusting God is
foundational to leading with purpose.
Prayer: “Lord, thank You for the example of Abraham’s faith. Help us to trust You with
the unknown, to act in obedience, and to build a legacy of faith that glorifies You and
blesses others. Strengthen our faith, and guide us to lead boldly as Abraham did.”
Supporting Scriptures:
● Genesis 12:1-9 (God’s call and promise to Abraham)
● Romans 4:18-21 (Abraham’s faith in God’s promise despite circumstances)
● Hebrews 11:17-19 (Abraham’s faith tested with Isaac)
Introduction
Welcome church! Today we’re starting a new 6-week series called Legacy of
Leadership… Each week we’ll focus on one of six notable biblical leaders; Paying
special attention to their defining legacy, with key lessons and scriptures. To kick things
off today, we’re starting all the way back at the beginning in the book of Genesis and the
legacy of Abraham.
Abraham’s life is one of the clearest examples of living by faith. His legacy isn’t rooted in
his own strength, wisdom, or accomplishments but in his willingness to trust and obey
God. (Pastor - this could be a good place to interject one of your own stories about
trusting in God.)
Imagine being asked to leave behind everything familiar—your home, your community,
even your extended family—without being told exactly where you’re going. That’s
exactly what God asked of Abraham, and his response has made him a model of faith
for generations.
The writer of Hebrews captures this in Hebrews 11:8, saying, “By faith Abraham, when
called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even
though he did not know where he was going” (NIV). Abraham’s story teaches us that
faith shapes and undergirds strong leadership. Faith leaves a legacy that impacts
generations. Today, we will explore three key aspects of Abraham’s faith: his
obedience, his trust in God’s promises, and the enduring legacy he left for those who
came after him.
Main Idea
Faith Requires Obedience
One of the first things we see in Abraham’s story is that faith requires obedience. In
Genesis 12, God calls Abraham with these words: “Go from your country, your people
and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). This command
is remarkable because God provides no details about the destination or the journey. Yet
in verse 4, we read, “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”
Abraham’s obedience required decisive action. He left behind everything familiar—his
country, his extended family, and the security of his home—and stepped into the
unknown. This kind of faith demonstrates an important theological truth: obedience
often precedes understanding. God doesn’t always reveal the full picture, but He asks
us to trust Him enough to take the first step.
Pastor - This is another great place to share a personal story about ‘taking the first step
of faith’ in your own life. What happened? And how did it all turn out?
The Apostle Paul highlights the faith dynamic in 2 Corinthians 5:7 when he writes, “For
we live by faith, not by sight.” Faith isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about trusting
the One who does. Abraham’s willingness to obey reminds us that leadership often
requires stepping out in faith, even when the path is unclear. For us, this could mean
making a difficult decision in our personal lives or ministries, trusting that God will guide
us as we move forward. It could mean moving your family or changing jobs…
Think about your own life for a moment. Is there an area where God is calling you to
step out in obedience? Maybe it’s a relationship that needs healing or a new opportunity
that feels uncertain. Like Abraham, we are called to respond in faith, trusting that God’s
plan is good, even when we can’t see the outcome. The more we step out in faith, and
see God show up, the more we grow in faith. We learn to trust Him with our lives.
Faith Trusts in God’s Promises
Abraham’s obedience was remarkable, but his faith didn’t stop there. He also trusted in
God’s promises, even when those promises seemed impossible. In Romans 4:18-21,
Paul reflects on Abraham’s faith, saying, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope
believed...being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
One of the most significant promises God made to Abraham was that he would have a
son and become the father of many nations. This promise seemed unlikely, to say the
least—Abraham was old, and his wife Sarah was well past childbearing age. Yet
Abraham’s faith wasn’t rooted in his circumstances; it was rooted in the character of
God. He believed that God was faithful and able to fulfill His word.
This trust was tested in perhaps the most mind-boggling way in Genesis 22, when God
asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Abraham obeyed, believing that God could
even raise Isaac from the dead if necessary (Hebrews 11:17-19). This wasn’t blind faith;
it was a confidence in the faithfulness and sovereignty of God.
For us, trusting in God’s promises means holding onto His word, even when our
circumstances suggest otherwise. It means believing that God is who He says He is and
that He will do what He has promised. “We lift our eyes UP to the mountains—where
does our help come from? Our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and
earth.” - Psalm 121:1-2
What promises from Scripture are you holding onto today? Perhaps it’s a promise of
provision, guidance, or peace. Whatever it is, let Abraham’s example inspire you to trust
God’s faithfulness…and as you do - believe also that your faith is impacting future
generations in ways you cannot even understand.
Faith Inspires Future Generations
The final aspect of Abraham’s faith that we’ll explore today is its impact on future
generations. Abraham’s faith was not just about his own relationship with God; it
became the foundation for a covenant that would bless all nations. In Genesis 22:15-18,
God says to Abraham, “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,
because you have obeyed me.”
This promise points us directly to Jesus Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant
with Abraham. Through Jesus, salvation has been made available to all people, fulfilling
God’s promise…
SAMPLE OVER
