To prepare for this Bible study, please read the Women in Christ commentary, Hagar and Grace, Genesis Chapters 16 and 21.
 
 
 

Part I Hagar’s Example

1. Genesis 16:1-4 How would you feel if you were in the same situation as Hagar? What are some of the possible reasons that Hagar despised Sarah?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. Genesis 16:6 Sarah chose to try to force Hagar to change her attitude. What could she have done instead? Describe ways these two women might have made peace with each other?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3. Genesis 16: 7-8 Did Hagar have a destination in mind? If God had not intervened, do you think she had a chance of surviving, let alone making her situation better? Explain.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4. Genesis 16:8 Do you have a plan to make your situation better? How would you answer the questions: “Where have you come from?” and “Where are you going?”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5. Genesis 16:9-12 Did God have a plan? What was it?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

6. Genesis 16:13-16 Why do you think Hagar accepted God’s plan?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

7. Genesis 21:1-8 What provoked Sarah into demanding the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael? How did they each contribute to the other’s suffering?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8. Genesis 21:9-13; Galatians 4:30 How did God intend to turn this bad situation into blessings?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

9. Genesis 21:14-16 Describe Hagar’s desperate situation?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10. Genesis 21:17-21; Genesis 25:12-18; Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:6-9 How did God keep his promise?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

11. Romans 10:10-15; Isaiah 65:1; Joel 2:32 In what way does God’s dealing with Hagar illustrate his promise to offer grace and blessings to all. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Part II The God Who Sees And Hears

1. Genesis 16:13 What name did Hagar give the Lord? Why would this be important to her?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. Genesis 16:11; Genesis 17:20 Why did God help Hagar?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3. Genesis 29:31-32; Exodus 3:7, 17; 4:29-31; Deuteronomy 26:6-8; Matthew 10:29-31; Isaiah 59:1, 15 How concerned is God about our personal misery? How does the extent and intensity of suffering in this world affect your perception of God?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4. Isaiah 59:16-21; 53:1-12; Hebrews 4:14-15; Psalm 78:39; 103:13-14; Isaiah 63:9; Matthew 23:37-39; Philippians 2:6-8 What is God’s response to our misery?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5. Genesis 41:50-52; Psalm 107:13; Psalm 119:50; Romans 8:18-30; Romans 8:31-39 What is God doing? Is he powerless, absent, indifferent, or unjust? Why would Jesus volunteer to experience human pain? Does this affect your perception of God?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Part III Grace to Help Us

1. Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 4:16; James 5:13-18; Matthew 7:7-12; II Corinthians 12:7-10; Hebrews 11 How does trust in and dependence on God (faith) affect the way a person copes with suffering, hardship, or difficulties of various kinds?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2. James 1:2-4; I Peter 1:6-9; 4:1, 12-19 What response are Christians encouraged to have to their own suffering? How is this possible?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3. James 1:27; 2:14-16; I John 3:16-18; Matthew 25:31-46; Isaiah 58:6-10; Deuteronomy 15:7-8; 24:19-22; 26:12; Luke 10:25-37 What responsibility does humanity have (especially Christians) in relieving suffering in this world?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

4. Jeremiah 9:24; Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:1-12; II Peter 1:4-9; Galatians 5:22-23 What is God’s character? What is the divine nature God wants to share with us? What effect can this godly nature have on how we respond to suffering?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

5. I Peter 5:6-12 What is the true grace of God and how can you stand fast in it? (v. 12)