Stairway to Heaven

Sunday Night Recap
The O.T. Part VIII
July 9, 2006
Genesis 28:1-5, 10-22

So the story of Jacob continues with this interesting recounting of a night spend sleeping on a rock, a strange dream, a reminded promise, and foreshadowing of the nation of Israel.

One point of Sunday night's time together was to talk about the point of bible study. This is what was determined to be the point of studying the bible:

1. To know God better so we can better worship him (have a better response to him).
2. To know God better so we can be more like Christ, therefore being able to better worship him.
3. To know God better so we can better serve him, therefore being able to better worship him.

See, the point of Bible study is worship. It ultimately isn't about us, what we can "get out of it" but more about what we can learn about God so we can respond to him more appropriately. In the mean time, if we get personal daily application...which we should definately look for...then cool. That's just a bonus.

That being said, what can we learn about God from this story? What themes about God recur in this passage that are in other parts of Scripture? We'll call these God Themes-a recurring appearanc eof God's character in the events/activities of humanity.

Here are a few God Theme's form the Jacob's Ladder story:
God's faithfulnees
God's Timing is perfect
God's ownership
God's Presence
God's Generosity
God's Authority

We can learn more about God through studying scripture...specific things about God from specific passages if we look to see how God is working in those stories. Even though the stories are thousands of years old, God is the same and still works in our lives in the same way!

So, what about Practical Life Application? Yep, it's there too!
1. God's promises are big promises (v15-16)
2. God's presence and working are not based on our "feeling" (v17)
3. The faithfullness of God draws people to him. (v20-22)
4. Gving back to God is not to be out of oblication, but worship...in this case for his faithfulness. (v22)

Here is the challenge:

What about in your life? What "God Themes" do you see continuing to play out in the world around you? How can recognizing God in our everyday lives lead us to know him better and worship him better? When you study the bible are you more worried about you or learning more about the character of God? Start looking for "God Themes" all around you and you will be amazed at what you can learn about God. Then, draw near to him and worship him with your life for who he is!!!