Faith of Abraham
Disciple Lessons from the Patriarch of Genesis

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Free E-mail Bible Study Bible study Apostle Peter: Disciple Lessons from the Rock

Dr. Ralph F. Wilson I hope you'll join me in this Bible study. I've been a pastor for the last 50 years, and since 1996 I've been conducting Internet Bible studies. Today I find great joy in teaching people all over the world from every denomination and faith tradition -- even those with no faith background at all. -- Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, Director
His father was a moon-worshipper in Ur of the Chaldeans. But God began to speak and Abraham listened. He struck out from his home and his people to obey God's call to "go to the land I will show you." His wife was barren and old, but God promised Abram a son. "He believed the Lord," Scripture tells us, "and he credited it to him as righteousness" and he became known as "the friend of God."

Abraham was a flawed man who followed a perfect God. What changed him was a constant belief that this God who spoke to him would keep his amazing promises. And God did.

Abraham is rightly called "the father of faith," for he blazed the trail for us. You and I walk that same trail of faith today. We have vital lessons to learn from the faith of Abraham.

I invite you take a 11-week trek with me -- to go back nearly 4,000 years, cross deserts, ride camels, dwell in tents, acquire wealth, suffer childlessness, sacrifice much, receive promises, and catch a glimpse of the glory of God. You, too, will grow as you understand how God taught and formed Abraham to be like him.


Available as PDF, Kindle, and paperback books.

Here's how we'll study together.

  • Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.
  • On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and maybe Thursday, you'll receive a question from that week's lesson to think about and answer. This is designed as a "total immersion" approach to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use it to work real and permanent change in your life. (You can opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking about these passages constantly for over these 11 weeks -- long enough for God to work his Word into your life and lifestyle.
  • Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's lesson.
Available as a podcast
Available as a free podcast

Here's the outline:

  1. The Call of Abraham (Genesis 11:27-12:9)
  2. Sarah's Abduction (Genesis 12:10-20 and 20:1-18)
  3. Abraham Rescues His Nephew Lot (Genesis 13-14)
  4. God's Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15)
  5. God Speaks to Hagar, Abraham's Other Wife (Genesis16)
  6. The Covenant of Circumcision with Abraham (Genesis 17)
  7. Abraham Intercedes for Sodom (Genesis 18)
  8. The Destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19).
  9. Isaac Born, Ishmael Banished (Genesis 21)
  10. Abraham Offers Isaac on Mt. Moriah (Genesis 22)
  11. Death of Sarah and Abraham (Genesis 22:20-25:11)

Sign up now!

To sign up, start by clicking on your e-mail frequency preference:

You'll receive your first lesson the Friday after you sign up. There is no cost to participate in the study, though donations are encouraged so we can create more studies and reach more people.

We respect your privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves.

Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible studies at one time. There's no penalty, but each of them is pretty intensive. If you try to do too many studies at the same time without adequate reflection, you'll miss out on God speaking to you.

Part of Faith of Abraham: Disciple Lessons from the Patriarch of Genesis

Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

Jesus' Parables for Disciples, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Discipleship for New Believers


In-depth Bible study books

You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format -- currently 48 books in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series.

Old Testament

  1. Abraham, Faith of
  2. Jacob, Life of
  3. Moses the Reluctant Leader
  4. Joshua
  5. Gideon
  6. David, Life of
  7. Elijah
  8. Psalms
  9. Solomon
  10. Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134)
  11. Isaiah
  12. 28 Advent Scriptures (Messianic)
  13. Daniel
  14. Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books

Gospels

  1. Christmas Incarnation (Mt, Lk)
  2. Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7)
  3. Luke's Gospel
  4. John's Gospel
  5. Seven Last Words of Christ
  6. Parables
  7. Jesus and the Kingdom of God
  8. Resurrection and Easter Faith
  9. Apostle Peter

Acts

  1. Early Church (Acts 1-12)
  2. Apostle Paul (Acts 11-28)

Pauline Epistles

  1. Romans 5-8 (Christ-Powered Life)
  2. 1 Corinthians
  3. 2 Corinthians
  4. Galatians
  5. Ephesians
  6. Philippians
  7. Colossians, Philemon
  8. 1 & 2 Thessalonians
  9. 1 &2 Timothy, Titus

General Epistles

  1. Hebrews
  2. James
  3. 1 & 2 Peter, Jude
  4. 1, 2, and 3 John

Revelation

  1. Revelation
  2. Conquering Lamb of Revelation

Topical

  1. Glorious Kingdom, The
  2. Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
  3. Great Prayers of the Bible
  4. Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
  5. Humility
  6. JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
  7. Lamb of God
  8. Listening for God's Voice
  9. Lord's Supper: Disciple's Guide
  10. Names and Titles of God
  11. Names and Titles of Jesus

Pastor Ralph Wilson's books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com.
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.