Jacob

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?

Genesis 32:22-32

October 6, 2024 • Michael McCracken

DNA Questions (Genesis 32:22-32) Discover: -What is the significance of Jacob being "left alone"? -What is the significance of the wrestling taking place "until the breaking of the day"? -Why did Jacob need a name change and why would that have been such a blessing? Nurture: -Do you have any regular times of solitude where you are seeking the face of God? Why or why not? -In some sense we are all wrestling in order to be blessed. What are you hoping will justify your existence at the end of the day? -How does our new identity "in Christ" change and reorient everything else in your life? What still isn't? -What "limp" or "weakness" can you boast in such that the power of God could be made perfect in you? (2 Corinthians 12:9) Act: -Believing that God views you through the lens of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection how could that change the way you respond to a difficult spouse, child, co-worker, teammate, classmate, etc.? -What would it look like this week to lean into your weakness pointing to your need for Christ rather than hoping in your strength, wisdom, skill, etc? -How can your "limp" be an incredible opportunity to share Jesus with your neighbor, spouse, children, co-worker, classmate, etc?

Genesis 32:9-21

September 29, 2024 • Michael McCracken

DNA Questions (Genesis 32:9-21) Discover: -What does it mean for Jacob that He identifies with God as the God "of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac"? -Why is it important that Jacob quotes God in his prayer to God? -What other factors of Jacob's prayer point to Jacob being honest with himself and God? -Considering verses 13-21: Is Jacob making plans in light of his prayer or despite his prayer and how would you know? Nurture: -What does your prayer life say about your relationship to God?...what you believe about God and what you perceive to believe about yourself? -Could you describe how your heart is feeling in the moment and what it desires most? Why is it important for you to know this? Why is that so often difficult to pinpoint? -What scripture speaks most to your true heart's desire and concern in the moment? How does the gospel speak into it? What promises can you claim? (Help each other around the table with this.) Act: Believing that God will never leave you nor forsake you, how can your plans look different this week? Believing that God is a loving Father who sent His son to have you, how can that change the way you pray this week? What gospel conversations are waiting for you at work?...at play?...in your neighborhood?...with your kids?

Genesis 32:1-8

September 22, 2024 • Michael McCracken

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)

Jacob - A True Coming to Age Story

May 26, 2024 • Michael McCracken • Genesis 31:43–55

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives. 

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.

Jacob - A True Coming of Age Story

May 12, 2024 • Michael McCracken • Genesis 31:1–16

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives. 

Jacob - A True Coming of Age Story

May 5, 2024 • Michael McCracken • Genesis 30:25–43

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives. 

Jacob - A True Coming of Age Story

April 28, 2024 • Michael McCracken • Genesis 30:1–24

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives. 

Jacob - A True Coming Of Age Story

April 21, 2024 • Michael McCracken • Genesis 29:31–35

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives.

Jacob - A True Coming Of Age Story

April 7, 2024 • Michael McCracken • Genesis 29:1–20

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” There is so much hope for us in that verse from Philippians 1:6. If we are being honest with ourselves it is likely that we often feel like an incomplete project at best. It is such good news for our soul to consider no only that God mercifully saved us, but that He fully intends to make us into the image of His Son, Jesus. In God’s grace and wisdom we get to see where God worked beautifully in the midst of really messy lives. Jacob, the second born of two twins to Isaac and Rebekah, didn’t set out to wrestle with God, but rather God set out to wrestle with Jacob. The story of Jacob proves that God wasn’t fighting against Jacob but that He very much was fighting for him. As we walk together through the true coming of age story of Jacob may we see this gracious and merciful providence in our own lives. 

Jacob: A True Coming of Age Story

March 31, 2024 • Michael McCracken • Luke 23:56, John 20

Jacob: A True Coming of Age Story

March 17, 2024 • Mike Borgaard • Genesis 28:10–22

The Kingdom of God is the work of God’s sovereign grace. Over and again we see that God works in the lives of fallen people. As we have noted so far, the story of Jacob and his family is anything but neat and tidy. However, we cannot forget that the Living God is going to bring salvation to the world through this family. God overruled all the family dysfunction and personal sin to accomplish His sovereign purposes. This is true for those of us in Christ today. Just as the Kingdom of God is the work of God’s sovereign grace, so too is the life of every person in the Kingdom.