Today’s Bulletin
OUTLINE
Genesis 28
28 Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women. 2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father, and take as your wife from there one of the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother. 3 God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!” 5 Thus Isaac sent Jacob away. And he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
Esau Marries an Ishmaelite
6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” 7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and gone to Paddan-aram. 8 So when Esau saw that the Canaanite women did not please Isaac his father, 9 Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.
Jacob’s Dream
10 Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 14 Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
18 So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. 20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, 21 so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God’s house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
Sermon Discussion questions
Jacob’s Ladder: (Genesis 28)
Ice Breaker: (1) What’s the most uncomfortable or unusual place you’ve ever had to sleep? or (2) What’s the most lost you’ve ever been?
This Week Specific
Recognizing God’s Presence – In Genesis 28:16, Jacob says, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” Have you ever experienced a moment where you realized God was working in your life after the fact? How can we be more aware of God’s presence in our daily routines—at home, in parenting, or in difficult family dynamics?
Seeking God’s Grace Over Approval – Esau sought his father’s approval in Genesis 28:6-9 but missed what truly mattered. How do we sometimes seek approval from others (parents, bosses, peers) instead of resting in God’s grace? How does Galatians 1:10 challenge us to seek God’s affirmation above human praise?
God Uses Imperfect People – Jacob was a deceiver, yet God still pursued him. How does knowing that God uses imperfect people encourage you in your work or studies? How can we trust God to work through us despite our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)?
Faith vs. Bargaining with God – Jacob tried to negotiate with God in Genesis 28:20-22 (“If God will be with me… then the LORD shall be my God”). Have you ever tried to make a deal with God? How can we shift from conditional faith to trusting Him fully in our work, finances, or career decisions?
Encountering God in Worship – Jacob called the place Bethel (House of God) and declared, “How awesome is this place!” (Genesis 28:17). Do you approach corporate worship with that same excitement? What practical steps can you take to prepare your heart for encountering God each week?
Jesus as the True Stairway to Heaven – In John 1:51, Jesus tells Nathanael that He is the true fulfillment of Jacob’s ladder. How does understanding Jesus as the bridge between heaven and earth shape how you approach prayer, worship, or evangelism?
Trusting God’s Presence in Uncertain Times – God promised Jacob in Genesis 28:15, “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go.” How does this promise bring comfort in seasons of uncertainty, whether in family, career, or faith? How does Hebrews 13:5 reinforce this truth?
Weekly Questions
What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?
What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?
How can this group pray for you this week?