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Discipleship Lessons from the
Life of Jacob
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James J. Tissot, "Jacob" (c. 1896-1902), gouache
on board, 24.4 x 12.3 cm, Jewish Museum, New York. |
Please do me a favor right now:
Please bookmark the main Life of Jacob Bible Study page so you can find
it again easily.
Jacob is a troubling character in the Old Testament. He is
conniving and he is spiritual too. He has moments of strong faith as well as of
fear. His family is sometimes in disarray, and yet at the end he is the one who
sets it straight.
Jacob, whose very name suggests "deceiver," is renamed by God as "Israel" --
"one who has struggled with God." And an entire nation is named after this
patriarch -- the nation of Israel.
Jacob is a bit too much like us -- with very human
strengths and weaknesses, but a man with a striving for spiritual things. From this imperfect man we learn important lessons of
faith. Especially, we learn about God's grace.
The events described in Jacob's story comprise most of Genesis chapters
25-49. If you haven't read the Old Testament much, you'll be
pleased to find that God can speak to you here -- loud and clear. The culture is
vastly different, but you'll quickly learn that the people and their problems
haven't changed much. The story of Jacob is a great opportunity to learn
important lessons about ourselves and our God.
This is not the kind of Bible study for the faint of heart. We'll be looking at
some issues that don't have nice, neat answers. But life is like that. My prayer
is that you'll grow through this process. That you'll become closer to, more
sensitive to, more obedient to God. And that you'll learn to study your Bible in
a new way.
I invite you to join me in an e-mail Bible study of Jacob's life. Here's the outline:
- Jacob the Deceiver (Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-41)
- Jacob Meets God (Genesis 27:41-28:22)
- Jacob and Laban, Rachel and Leah (Genesis 29-31)
- Jacob Wrestles with God and Man (Genesis 32-33)
- Jacob Returns to Bethel (Genesis 33:17-35:29)
- Jacob's Depression, Fear, and Hope (Genesis 37-47)
- Jacob Offers Blessings (Genesis 46:28-49:33)
Here's how we'll study together.
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This is our 32nd online Bible study
since 1996. If you've participated in one before,
you know how God can use them in your life. If not,
then you have a treat in store for you. This is an
cross-denominational study designed to help you grow
as a disciple of Christ. -- Dr. Ralph F. Wilson.
About the leader.
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Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the week . Then you'll
read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.
- On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday you'll receive a question
from that week's lesson to think about and answer. This is designed as a
"total immersion" approach to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use
these lessons to work real and permanent change in your life. (You can opt
out of the daily questions if you like, however, and just receive the weekly
lessons.) You'll be thinking about these passages constantly over these
weeks -- long enough for God to work his Word into your life and lifestyle.
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You can respond to the questions and exercises
using the Joyful
Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your own
understanding.
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These lessons are also available as in
e-book and
paperback formats,
133 pages. |
With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20- to 30-minute audio
teaching that sums up the passage you've been studying that week. Some
who learn better from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
- Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next week's lesson.
Please don't sign up for more than one of my Bible studies at
one time. Each of them is pretty intensive. Also, please don't sign up for your
friends; let them decide for themselves. If you sign up today, you'll receive
your the Friday after you sign up.
Discipleship Lessons from the
Life of Jacob the Patriarch
Copyright © 1985-2010 Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
Joyful Heart Renewal Ministries
JesusWalk®
Publications
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, Director
Contact Information
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