Connect Knowing God’s unchanging promise, presence, and purpose in Christ - what is one specific step you will take this week, and how can the group support you in taking it?
Warm-Up
- Have you seen someone steal something and reap benefits from it? How did it make you feel?
Read Genesis 27:41-45
- What is Jacob’s history of deception? How does he steal his father’s blessing from Esau?
- Why is Jacob fleeing to Harran?
- What are your impressions of Jacob?
- Who do you think God can use for his purposes? How does God’s choice of Jacob, shape your understanding of how God can use?
Read Genesis 28:10-22
- Why did Jacob stop at this particular place? What do you think would be weighing on his mind?
- What does Jacob see in the dream? How might this sight be comforting and terrifying?
- What is the significance that the stairway reaches from heaven to earth? How is it the opposite of the tower of Babel incident (cf. Genesis 11:1-9)
- How does the Lord reveal himself to Jacob? What are the promises the Lord makes again?
- What is Jacob’s response (see v.16)? Which places in your life, as you most likely to ignore or be unaware of the Lord’s presence? Have you ever had a moment of realisation of the Lord’s presence?
- Why does the Lord appear to Jacob? How is it not dependent on what he has done?
- When has the Lord appeared to you, when you’ve not been looking for him? Who could you be praying for, that they too would meet the Lord?
- What are the promises the Lord makes to Jacob? How do they concern people beyond Jacob’s family?
- Are your prayers mostly focused on your needs, or God’s promises for the world? What would help shaping your prayers, in line with God’s promises?
- Read John 1:51. How does Jesus Christ ultimately fulfil God’s promises and his presence with us?
Apply When are you most likely to forget the Lord’s presence? What would most help (e.g., rhythm, habit, practice, prayer) to remember the Lord’s presence with you?
