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Life Groups Week of January 31, 2010 – Genesis 28:1-22 – “Jacob’s Dream at Bethel”

(Pastor Jeff will be preaching from this passage on Sunday, February 7th.)

* Please note that a good number of questions are provided below for you to choose from as you lead the group in learning and discussion.  Feel very free to pursue different angles the Holy Spirit provides you as you prepare!

WELCOME

COFFEE / FELLOWSHIP TIME

TRANSITION TO GROUP SHARING

Bridge to the story with this transition:  Pastor Jeff will continue with the series entitled, I AM the God of Jacob” in the book of Genesis.  Tonight we pick things up in Genesis 28:1-22 – “Jacob’s Dream at Bethel”

OPEN - ING QUESTION(S):  You might try asking a few questions prior to the story to prime people’s imaginations:

Do you remember your dreams after a night’s sleep?  Do you have any recurring dreams that are pleasant?  Do you have any recurring nightmares?

Do you have a favorite spot where God seems to speak to you?

Who were some different people in the Bible that God spoke to in dreams?

TELL THE STORY: Genesis 28:1-22 – “Jacob’s Dream at Bethel”

Open your Bible to Genesis 28:1-22 – holding it open in your lap.  This indicates that it is God’s story, not just your own.  Tell the story - “Jacob’s Dream at Bethel”

RE-BUILD THE STORY FROM SCRIPTURE – Genesis 28:1-22 – “Jacob’s Dream at Bethel”

Have the group members open their Bibles and re-tell the story chronologically using the scripture.  Look for key points that might have been left out or details that might not have been correct.  You might facilitate this by asking questions such as, Who are the characters in the story?  Where was Jacob heading?   How did God speak to him? 

DIG – INTO THE PASSAGE QUESTIONS

These questions are designed to help people wrestle with the story and the lessons that God has for us: 

How is the story line similar to Genesis 24?  How is it different? 

Isaac now calls directly for Jacob to bless him instead of Esau.  Why is he blessing the younger son?

What does Isaac’s blessing for Jacob include?  How is it similar to God’s blessing to Abraham in previous passages?

To whom did Isaac send his son and why?

Upon learning of his father’s preference for a suitable wife, what did Esau do?  Do two wrong wives make a the third one right?

Take a look at verse 10.  Jacob is beginning a very long journey on foot.  What emotions do you think he is feeling?

What do you learn about God from his unsolicited appearance to Jacob and forthcoming blessing?

What did Jacob see in the dream?  Does this foretell the coming of Christ? 

What do you think of Jacob’s responding vow?

-       Brash bargaining?

-       Growing trust?

-       Conversion event?

REFLECTION - QUESTIONS

These questions are intended to help develop deeper discussions about how the story applies to our personal lives.

Is there any sense in which you might be running from your past, fearing revenge?

Has there been a time when God blessed you “anyway” (when you had acted outside his will)?

Do you think that God still speaks in dreams?  (See Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17)

Have you ever made a “deal” with God?  How did it turn out?

Is there anything in this passage that makes you love God more?

PRAYER TIME – Based on tonight’s discussion, how might the group pray for you?

FOCUS ON SERVICE – As you begin to think about a next service project, begin to pray that God would bring about an opportunity that fits the personality of your group and springs from natural relationships you have with people in the community. 

WRAP UP/DISMISSAL