Genesis 32:1-8

Alamo Ranch Community Church

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Genesis 32:1-8

September 22, 2024 • Michael McCracken

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DNA Questions (Genesis 32:1-8)

Discover:

-What was God's purpose for allowing Jacob to see the angels on his way back home?

-Would it have been possible for the messengers sent by Jacob to have alleviated his fear and distress? What "messengers" in your life increase fear and distress rather than help point to the Father? What kind of "messenger" are you?

-Does Jacob have any reason to believe that his only hope is to sacrifice half of his camp in order to escape Esau? Why or why not?

Nurture:

-Why is it so hard for us to believe that God is with us when it counts the most?

-Are you aware of the ways your past effects your view and response to the present?

-In what ways have you seen your past impact your present and how have you tried to deal with it?

-Why is trying to cover our past with success or escape it by trying to leave it behind such a futile pursuit?

Act:

-Beleiving that Jesus is with you and will never forsake you how could you respond to fear and distress differently this week?

-Beleiving that God will go before and stand behind what courageous actions can you take this week? (Isaiah 52:12)

Genesis 35:1-15

October 27, 2024 • Michael McCracken

DNA Questions - (Genesis 35:1-15) Discover: What is the actual "blessing" that God gives to Jacob? How did his people fall into so much idolatry while in Shechem? What is the significance of God's call for them to "be fruitful and multiply"? Nurture: What are the "foreign gods" in our culture that seem to lure you the most? How would you know? Is there a "loss" in your life that you need to acknowledge and grieve over similarly as they wept for Deborah? What would it look like for you to reestablish your identity in God? What promises do you need to reclaim? Act: How would your week look different if you were to put away any "foreign gods" in your life? What gospel conversations can you have knowing the "foreign gods" of your home, work, and/or school?

Genesis 34

October 20, 2024 • Michael McCracken

DNA Questions (Genesis 34) Discover: What does this story teach us about the nature of sin? What would it look like for Jacob to step in and speak a better word? In what ways does Christianity impact culture and in what was has culture impacted Christianity? Nurture: How has anger impacted your life? How does the gospel/scripture help us to understand its rightful place in our lives? In what ways do you relate to Levi and Simeon? How do you relate to Jacob? How is Jesus the better Jacob especially for the hearts of Levi and Simeon who have just experienced the tragic mistreatment of their sister? Act: Believing that God sees, hears, knows, and acts how can we respond differently this week to life's brokenness? Believing that the gospel speaks to the deepest longings of the heart, what crucial conversations are waiting to be had with family, friends, co-workers, classmates, teammates, etc. that would allow us to present Jesus?

Genesis 33

October 13, 2024 • Michael McCracken

DNA Questions: Genesis 33 Discover: -What stands out to you the most in this part of the story? Why? -What does this section teach us about the way God works? -What does Jacob mean when he tells Esau that seeing his face was like seeing the face of God? Nurture: -How does this story of reconciliation resonate with you? Are there relationships in your life that you desire healing? How does this story encourage you? -What would it look like for us to "bow ourselves to the ground seven times" before entering into a difficult conflict / relationship? -How does the gospel prepare us for such an interaction? Do: -Believing you are beloved of God how could you begin to move closer to a difficult relationship this week? -Believing you are beloved of God how could you respond to conflict differently than you normally do? -What are the gospel conversations that need to be had with those around you at home, work, school, or play?