OUR PERFECT GOD EXPECTS US TO IMPERFECTLY FOLLOW HIM. (Genesis 35:1-15)
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SERMON NOTES:
Perfect God; Imperfect People
Genesis 35:1-15
Our perfect God expects us to imperfectly follow Him.
God continually calls us up; we repent. (1-4)
We obey ; God protects. (5)
God reveals himself; we worship. (6-8)
El Shaddai keeps His promises; we remember . (9-15)
study questions:
For the Next Lesson – Genesis 35:1-15
1. Read verse 1.What command did God give to Jacob?Take some time to read Genesis 28:10-22.In Genesis 28, what promises did God make, and what commitments did Jacob make in response?How was the timing of God’s revealing of himself to Jacob at Bethel significant?Therefore, why is Bethel such a special place for Jacob?Do you have a place, a time or event that stands out when God revealed himself to you?What is it, and how can it encourage you in your walk with God?
2. Read verses 2-4.What did Jacob tell his people to do, and how are these commands similar to Exodus 20:2-3?Where did Jacob put all this stuff?Notice that they left behind things that would stand in the way of them worshipping God.What in your life do you need to leave behind and bury that stands in the way of you worshipping God?
3. Consider the last two statements in verse 3, “who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.”Do you believe these two statements reflect how God has been with you?If yes, does your life, your attitude, your faith reflect your belief that God answers and has been with you?How so?
4. Read verses 5-8.Why was a “terror from God” necessary to protect Jacob and his family (see Genesis 24:1-31)?What did Jacob do when he got to Bethel?Why was this place special to Jacob (remember Genesis 28:10-22)?
5. Read verses 9-12.As you think back on Jacob’s life of deceitfulness, passivity, favoritism and fear, why do you believe God blessed Jacob?Why do you think God reminded Jacob of his new name of Israel that he gave him back in Genesis 32:28?What command and promises did God give to Jacob, and how do they compare to the promises given to Abraham in Genesis 17:1-8?How can God’s faithfulness to undeserving Jacob help you to understand God’s faithfulness to you?
6. Read verses 13-15.What was Jacob’s response to God’s command and promises?How do you respond to God’s grace and faithfulness in your life?
7. So what.If you had to pick just one thing… what is your one specific takeaway from this passage that applies directly to your life?