In this portion of our study, Jacob makes his way from his home in Beersheba to Haran where his uncle Laban lives. Jacob lives with his uncle and ends up marrying two of his daughters–Leah and Rachel. But these marriages are ironically brought about through deception. Jacob the deceiver is deceived himself. The Law of Sowing and reaping has come home to Jacob. What comes around, goes around!
God appears to Jacob at a place called Bethel and repeats his promise to bless him with a place, a people, a program, his presence and protection. Jacob deserves none of this. But we discover that grace surprises, offends, overflows and impresses. It is designed to elicit a life of worshipful devotion.
TaLKING POINTS / WALKING POINTS View the sermon summary or dig deeper into the message during the sermon, in your personal Bible study, or with your family or Community Group in application-driven discussion. Application / Challenge TAKE ONE STEP Each week, write down one doable concrete step of obedience, small or large, that you will…
Over the centuries God’s people have made close, intimate binding relationships with those who reject our faith and worldview, bringing great pain to themselves. We see this mistake when we compare Jacob and his twin Esau…
God is the source of all blessing. Sometimes that blessing provokes jealousy in others and they may seek to take what we have. If that happens, how will you respond? Will you fight fire with fire? Will you cling to what you have, fearing that others may take it away? Or will you trust God…
Too often we find ourselves acting just like our parents. Growing up we vowed we would imitate our parents in the things we thought they did well and improve upon what we didn’t like. But oftentimes, under duress, we find ourselves doing or saying things we vowed to ourselves we would never do…
TaLKING POINTS / WALKING POINTS View the sermon summary or dig deeper into the message during the sermon, in your personal Bible study, or with your family or Community Group in application-driven discussion. Choose the blessing of God over those fleeting things this world offers. Application / Challenge TAKE ONE STEP Each week, write down…
TAKE ONE STEP Each week, write down one doable concrete step of obedience, small or large, that you will put into practice this week. (James 1:22: “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”) COMMUNITY GROUP LEADER’S GUIDE – No GUIDE THIS WEEK Community group leaders, use this version…
Jacob was a fascinating man with a messy life. God made promises to him. All Jacob had to do was to receive them by faith. But he could never quite bring himself to fully trust God. He was a schemer, a conniver, a rascal. But despite his struggles to trust God, God delivered on his promises. This is his story….
TaLKING POINTS / WALKING POINTS View the sermon summary or dig deeper into the message during the sermon, in your personal Bible study, or with your family or Community Group in application-driven discussion. Application / Challenge In order to grow in 2025, make sure you’re cultivating the following spiritual disciplines: TAKE ONE STEP Each week,…