Genesis: Week 43

Sunday, May 25, 2025

The Bible says, “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17) Invite someone to read aloud Gen. 28:1-9 and pray for strengthening faith.  If nobody in the group feels comfortable doing so, take the lead and read and pray.

Genesis 28:1-9

LAUNCHING QUESTION

After gathering together on Sunday morning (welcoming one another, engaging prayers, order of service/liturgies,social and gospel interactions, listening to the sermon, etc.), in what ways were we helped to wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ by knowing Him and making Him known? How can the main idea of the message help equip us to help others?

Main Idea: To trust in God’s way and not in our own way.

Three Questions - From Genesis 28:1-9

  1. What does this passage teach us historically?

    1. Jacob sent to Laban in Paddan-aram = Syria 600 miles away. There, in Abraham’s former land and family, idol worshippers are found (Josh. 24:2). WHY is Jacob sent there? 

      1. A mother’s concern. (Gen.27). What was Rebekah’s desire for Jacob?

      2. God’s sovereign plan.  Fast forward the storyline. In Gen 28:10 and following, Jacob now knows the promises belong to him. God leads Jacob to “Bethel” = house of God. Wow!

      3. A humble lesson. Fast forward the storyline. What did Jacob experience from Laban when he wanted to marry Rachel? How did this experience mirror Jacob’s deceptive ways of trying to get the blessing?  Where is God when following Him leads into difficulties and distress? (Gen. 50:20)

      4. Faith grows. The LORD blesses Jacob as he obeys by faith the LORD. Read Rom. 4:19-21. Discuss how faith-prompted obedience might take us through suffering. Hope will say, “what ultimately will result in this walk of faith?” Answer: Rom. 8:28 

      Isaac calls on God Almighty. This observation in verse 3 leads us to ask the question:


2. What does this passage teach us theologically?

    1. What does the name El Shaddai (Hebrew for God Almighty) mean. (talk about the two ways this Hebrew name is understood. 1. God is all powerful.

    2. God is all sufficient. Nothing can stop His plan. And, He is all nourishing.) How does this insight affect our walk of faith? When we disobey, what are we not believing about God?  

      How might believing in God who is all-powerful and all-satisfying mature our faith? How might our maturing faith begin to multiply (see v.3)? What does multiplying mean for our ministries at UBC?

      1. Remember: God’s sovereign plans cannot be changed by human efforts. Mal. 1:1-4; Rom. 9:10-16 are good to meditate upon. How can meditation upon these truths bring us to humility and happiness?


3. What does this passage teach us practically?

  1. Obey God’s direction for your life.

What are some decisions you face that have to do with obeying God and yet are difficult to make? What do you want when you don’t want to obey God? What do you believe to be true about God when you are ready to disobey God?  What does repentance and faith look like in these situations?

2..Trust in God’s understanding and not your own.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)  

Desire God - not merely His gifts.  What are some gifts you enjoy that might be getting in the way of desiring God?  When one of these gifts gets taken away, how can this help you understand the difference between 1) Desiring God and 2) Desiring God’s gifts? How is the gospel the remedy for this misplaced trust?

Focus on the eternal - not merely the temporal.  How can you be concerned about the temporal things of this world without taking your eyes off the eternal things?  What disciplines and habits can you establish that will keep you abiding in Christ and result in strengthening your focus on the eternal? 

Don’t lean on your own understanding. Share an example of leaning on your own understanding. What or who helps you recognize when you are doing this? What does repentance and trust in Jesus look like? When this happens, how do you feel? What changes are made?