Jacob - A True Coming to Age Story - Alamo Ranch Community Church

Alamo Ranch Community Church

Jacob - A True Coming to Age Story

May 19, 2024 • Roy Stokes • Genesis 31:17–42

Obeying God’s instruction (Genesis 31:3), Jacob leaves Paddan-aram and heads home to Canaan and his father, Isaac. Needless to say this trip, like all of life, has some serious bumps in the road; Jacob’s deception, Rachael’s theft and Laban’s angry attempt at manipulation. Through it all the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob proves Himself faithful to fulfill all He promised to Jacob. (Genesis 28:13-17).

This event in Jacob’s life teaches what it means to live the gospel “from faith to faith”. (Romans 1:16-17) through Jacob’s fear and deception.

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?