WestWay Christian Church

“You’re just like your father.” Depending on your story, those words might sound like a compliment—or they might be the last thing you ever wanted to hear.

As Isaac’s story continues in Genesis 26, it becomes clear just how much he is like Abraham. He carries forward some of his father’s faith and worship, but he also repeats some of his father’s fear, deception, and failure to trust God.

Our families shape us in ways we don’t always recognize. Some of what we inherit is worth celebrating; some of it needs to end with us. Genesis 26 invites us to consider what we’ve received from those who came before us—and to take responsibility for what we do with it.

In the beginning the Word already existed. These words written by the Apostle John were written in his gospel and referred to the very beginning of time. The very beginning of the Bible. Who is the Word? Why does John use this word to describe him? How does the Old Testament talk about him? Does it matter? These are the questions that we will discuss on Sunday morning as we read the first few verses of the Gospel of John and discuss the importance of the Old Testament.

As Abraham’s story comes to a close, the promise God made to him continues through Isaac. Abraham gains a permanent foothold in the land God promised, God provides a wife for Isaac, and then Isaac and Rebekah face the same problem his parents once faced: they cannot have children. But instead of trying to accomplish God’s promise on his own terms, Isaac asks God. Genesis 23–25 reminds us that because God is faithful, we don’t have to grasp for what we need—we can ask Him.

Genesis 22 brings Abraham to the greatest test of his life. The God who promised him a son now asks him to offer that very son as a sacrifice. Abraham doesn’t know how God will resolve what seems impossible, but he trusts that God will remain faithful to His promise.

 

At the moment everything seems lost, the LORD provides a substitute. Isaac lives because another dies in his place. This moment points beyond Abraham and Isaac to the greater provision God would make through Jesus. Genesis 22 reminds us that we do not approach God on our own terms or with whatever we decide to bring. We come carefully and humbly, trusting what God Himself has provided.

 

When God tells Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, those words carry meaning that can be easy for us to miss. Before continuing Abraham and Isaac’s story, we’ll step into Leviticus 1 to discover what God meant by a burnt offering. While Abraham would have understood sacrifice through the lens of his culture, Leviticus reveals God’s purpose: not appeasing an angry God, but providing a way for sinful people to draw near to Him. As we explore the meaning of the burnt offering, we’ll see why the wages of sin is death—and why Genesis 22 leaves us asking one unavoidable question: Who will die?

Genesis 21 reminds us that God keeps His promises. Isaac is born, Ishmael is delivered, and Abraham’s agreement with Abimelech prepares the way for promises that will be fulfilled generations later. For Israel, hearing this story on their way from slavery toward the Promised Land, the message was clear: God had been faithful before, and He could be trusted with what came next. The same is true for us: God’s past faithfulness gives us confidence to trust Him with what we cannot yet see.

This Sunday, we’ll gather for a special morning focused on encouraging and praying for those who serve in our schools. We’ll hear from two local principals as they share about the joys and challenges of serving students, how their faith in Christ has shaped the way they lead, and how our community can better support those working in education. We’ll also take time to honor and pray over every school employee in attendance as they begin another school year, asking God to give them wisdom, strength, peace, and encouragement for the days ahead.

Today, we're welcoming Sam Guilliams, President of NorthWest Haiti Christian Mission, for a special conversation about what God is doing in Haiti.For many years, WestWay has partnered with the ministry in Haiti through prayer, financial support, and relationships. This Sunday, we’ll hear firsthand about the work taking place, the challenges and opportunities facing the Haitian church, and how God continues to transform lives through faithful ministry.

Genesis 18-19 is often remembered as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, but the biggest surprise isn't God's judgment-it's God's declaration that Lot was righteous. As we walk through Abraham's conversation with God and the events in Sodom, we'll wrestle with a question that changes everything: What does God mean when He calls someone righteous? This passage reminds us that righteousness isn't something we achieve through our performance but something God graciously gives to those who trust Him. 

God had made a covenant with Abraham, but that covenant was always about more than one man. In Genesis 17–18, God reveals that those who belong to Him are invited to trust His promises, follow Him in faithful obedience, and participate in His plan to bless the world. This covenant ultimately points to Jesus Christ, through whom we are welcomed into God’s family by grace. Join us as we discover what it means to live with the confidence and purpose of those who truly belong to God.