Connect Knowing Godʼs 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
1. Have you seen someone steal something and reap benefits from it? How did it make you feel?
Read Genesis 27:41-45
2. What is Jacobʼs history of deception? How does he steal his fatherʼs blessing from Esau?
3. Why is Jacob fleeing to Harran?
4. What are your impressions of Jacob?
5. Who do you think God can use for his purposes? How does Godʼs choice of Jacob, shape your understanding of how God can use?
Read Genesis 28:10-22
6. Why did Jacob stop at this particular place? What do you think would be weighing on his mind?
7. What does Jacob see in the dream? How might this sight be comforting and terrifying?
8. 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)
9. How does the Lord reveal himself to Jacob? What are the promises the Lord makes again?
10. What is Jacobʼs response (see v.16)? Which places in your life, as you most likely to ignore or be unaware of the Lordʼs presence? Have you ever had a moment of realisation of the Lordʼs presence?
11. Why does the Lord appear to Jacob? How is it not dependent on what he has done?
12. When has the Lord appeared to you, when youʼve not been looking for him? Who could you be praying for, that they too would meet the Lord?
13. What are the promises the Lord makes to Jacob? How do they concern people beyond Jacobʼs family?
14. Are your prayers mostly focused on your needs, or Godʼs promises for the world? What would help shaping your prayers, in line with Godʼs promises?
15.
Read John 1:51. How does Jesus Christ ultimately fulfil Godʼs promises and his presence with us?
Apply When are you most likely to forget the Lordʼs presence? What would most help (e.g., rhythm, habit, practice, prayer) to remember the Lordʼs presence with you?
Pray Gracious Father, thank you that your promises are not dependent on us. Help us to see your commitment, promises, and presence with us most fully in Christ. In Jesusʼ name we pray, Amen.
On Your Frontline this Week As we enter the last quarter of the year, how might you best serve God in this season?
For Families • Download : some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
Listen, Watch, and Read • Listen (sermon): “If God Will Be With Me ...” by Rico Tice: https://www.allsouls.org/Groups/278649/A124_The_God_of_Jacob.aspx?show_media=172850&show_file=184838 • Listen (sermon): “The Beginning of Election” by Richard Trist: https://www.allsouls.org/Groups/139410/A062_Beginnings.aspx?show_media=144590&show_file=155769 • Listen (sermon): “Godʼs Rule and Grace” by William Taylor: https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/53885/ • Listen (sermon): “The Wilderness Years” by Peter Wilkinson: https://stebbes.org/sermons/the-wilderness-years/#sermons • Read ( book): “Godʼs Rascal: The Jacob Narrative in Genesis 25-35” https://www.amazon.com.au/Gods-Rascal-Jacob-Narrative-Genesis/dp/152710897X • Watch (lesson): “Jacob at the Gate of Heaven” by Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/classroom/jacob/sessions/12
Series Resources • Read : “Genesis” by Derek Kidner. 📚 • Read : “Genesis for Everyone: Part 2” by John Goldingay. 📚 • Read : “How to Read Genesis” by Tremper Longman III • Read : “Genesis: Story of God Bible Commentary” by Tremper Longman III • Watch : “Genesis 12-50” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-12-50 • Watch : “How should we read the Old Testament?” by Dan Paterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJtba-JyPVg 📚 Available to borrow from the St Bartʼs Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library
