Genesis: Week 44

Sunday, June 1, 2025

“Devote yourselves to the public reading of scripture.” (1 Tim. 4:13)

Read Genesis 28:10-22 

Genesis 28:10-22  

LAUNCHING QUESTION

After gathering together on Sunday morning (through prayers, worship in song, interacting with others, listening to the sermon, studying the Bible in class, etc.), in what ways were we helped to wholeheartedly become followers of Jesus Christ who know Him and make Him known? How can the main idea of the message help equip us to help others do the same? 


Main Idea: Know true blessing through trusting in God’s promises and presence. 

Three Questions - From Genesis 28:10-22  

  1. What does this passage teach us historically?

    1. Jacob’s dream. What are some observations you saw in Jacob’s dream as seen in v.10-12? Discuss your observations.  

    2. God speaks. In the dream, the LORD spoke to Jacob about what (vv. 13-15)? What did He say about His promises? What did He say about His presence? What did Jeremy mean when he said, “we cannot out distance God.” How does what he meant by his statement touch on the main idea?

    3.  Jacob’s response. In vv. 16-22, how does Jacob respond to the LORD? What does the name of the place “Bethel” mean? Why does he set up a stone and pour oil on top of it? What did he vow as a result of this magnificent moment in his life?  

  2. What does this passage teach us theologically?

    1. God keeps His promises despite human imperfection. For Jacob, we’ve seen his manipulation, deception, and distrust in God’s promises. For Jeremy, he walked us through one of his imperfections. What was the point of his “getting off the trail” illustration? [Hint: feeling undeserving of God’s promises.] Take a moment to read the following description of  Jeremy’s  train of thought after he made three mistakes as a leader of his family on a trail walk. 

    2. Step 1: “Man, you can’t even stay on the path.” Step two: “You can’t and shouldn’t even lead your family.” Step three: “You should stop teaching and preaching altogether.” Step four: “You are not good enough for God’s presence and promises. You should just simply quit”. Final step: God will not bless you anymore with His promises and presence.” 

    3. When have you experienced this type of train of thought? What causes you to “feel undeserving of God’s promises”? Why are we at times slow at sharing our failings, foibles, sins, and imperfections with God? With  one another? How can Jeremy’s display of “getting off the trail” encourage us to be transparent with each other?  How does our sins set us up to benefit from this passage and the God of this passage? 

    4. Read 2 Cor. 1:20 and discuss the truth. Read 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16 and discuss the truth.  

  3. What does this passage teach us practically?

    1. Know the God who never leaves you or forsakes you. How can knowing that “he knows me best and loves me most” draw us into confessing our sins, forsaking our sins, and trusting Him with our whole heart? 

    2. Trust God’s promises and His timing even in suffering. How can Jeremy’s friend who died of cancer be a model for us today? In dying he said, “I am sustained by God.” He surrounded himself with God’s people, God’s presence, and God’s promises. What are ways we can do the same while we live by faith? What are some choices we will make that will help us know the Bible and seek Him in the Bible? How can developing community and maturity in Growth Groups fortify our faith? What benefits will you receive as you seek Him in Sunday morning adult Bible classes, Women’s study in the Psalms, and Men’s Bible Bootcamp on Saturday morning on 6/21?