Can people be righteous if they live in homes where righteousness is not encouraged or where they are persecuted by their own parents for being righteous? If so, what would those people have to do to overcome wicked influences? The great prophet Abraham, called the “Friend of God” (James 2:23), grew up in that very situation. During his lifetime he overcame the challenges he faced in his youth and was such a model of righteousness that God promised him that all who accept the true gospel would be called his children and that Jesus Christ would be born as one of his descendants. As you read about Abraham in the next few chapters of Abraham and Genesis, look for what he did to overcome his challenges and become one of the greatest prophets in history.