Genesis: Week 52

Sunday, July 27, 2025


Read aloud Genesis 34:1-31. Pray together.

Genesis 34:1-31

“Don’t get cozy in Shechem.”  ~ Pastor Jason

LAUNCHING QUESTION

After gathering together on Sunday morning (through an elder's prayer and sending Isaiah off to the mission field, through worship in song, listening to a powerful sermon, attending a UBC class, enjoying conversations with each other, etc.), in what ways were we helped to wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ? How can the main idea of the message help equip us to help others in wholeheartedly following Jesus Christ?


Main Idea: God’s desire for His transformed people is that we are not conformed to the world around us.

Three Questions - From Genesis 34:1-31

What does this passage teach us historically?

  • Summary: Genesis 34 presents a challenging narrative of living in this world without being of this world. It’s a narrative that plainly speaks of sexual assault on women, unbridled vengeance, deception, and a preoccupation with self that leads to fear of man. And in all of this  disgusting, outrageous cesspool of human sin, the name of God is not even mentioned.  WOW. 

  • For you, how has this chapter been “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”?

  • What does Dianah show us not to do? 

  • Why is becoming one with the world disastrous for followers of Jesus Christ? 

  • How does Jacob handle the atrocity against his very own daughter? What are some ways he specifically sins in this historic narrative? 

  • What does Simeon and Levi show in their seething anger against those who violated their sister? What was it they wanted? 

  • How did the “gross misuse” of the Abrahamic covenant impact the story?

What does this passage teach us theologically?

  • Initially, talk about the significance of this passage not one time using God’s name or describing Him at all. What are some takeaways you wrote down from the absence of God’s name in chapter 34? 

  • Pastor Jason gave us insight into a theological takeaway. He says, “God wants His people to be distinct from the godless world around them.”  What are some attitudes and actions we are called to have that show the world we are in the world but not of the world?

What does this passage teach us practically? 

  • God’s people are to be different . . .

  1. In our pursuit of marriage.

  2. In our practice of sexuality.

  3. In our administration of justice. 

    • Give some practical examples of each of these principles.

    • What/Who is the God-given grace needed to uphold these principles? How do we appropriate this transforming/sustaining grace? 

    • How does the gospel shape specifically our transformation into the likeness of Jesus Christ? How does the gospel keep us from conforming to the pattern of this world?