GOD, CAN YOU SEE ME?
GOD, CAN YOU SEE ME?
God, Can You Help Me? - Part 1 | July 18-19, 2026
Gabe Kolstad | @gabekolstad
GENESIS 16 - WHEN YOU FEEL INVISIBLE
7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur.
8 The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied.
9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.”
10 Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”
11 And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress.”
Genesis 16:7-11
1. God FINDS you in your PAIN
The angel of the Lord found Hagar…
(v. 7)
2. He ASKS you to NAME it
Where have you come from, and where are you going?
(v. 8)
3. He RESETS your COURSE
Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.
(v. 9)
4. He DECLARES a BLESSING
I will give you more descendants than you can count.
(v. 11)
“El Roi” - The God Who Sees Me
13 Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” 14 So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered. 15 So Hagar gave Abram a son, and Abram named him Ishmael.
Genesis 16:13-15
FOR DISCUSSION:
Read John 4:1-30 out loud. Then retell the passage in your own words. Then discuss the following questions:
What does this passage teach us about God?
What does this passage teach us about people?
If this is true, what should I do in response?
Who could I share this with?
