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Bible Studies

Beginning the Journey (for new Christians).
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1, 2, and 3 John
1
& 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
1 Peter
2 Peter, Jude
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
7 Last Words of Christ
Abraham
Acts 1-12:
The Early Church
Apostle Paul
Christmas Incarnation
Church
Christ Powered Life (Rom 5-8)
Colossians
Conquering Lamb of Revelation
Daniel
David, Life of
Galatians
Gideon
Grace
Great Prayers
Glorious Kingdom, The
Early Church: Acts1-12
Elijah
Ephesians
Hebrews
Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
Isaiah
James
Jacob
Jesus and the Kingdom
John's Gospel
John's Letters
Joshua
Lamb of God
Listening for God's Voice
Lord's Supper
Luke
Mark
Moses
Names of God
Names of Jesus
Philippians
Psalms
Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
Resurrection
Revelation
Sermon on the Mount
Songs of Ascent
(Ps 120-135)
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![]() James J. Tissot, "Jacob" (c. 1896-1902), gouache on board, 24.4 x 12.3 cm, Jewish Museum, New York. |
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 him, 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. Try to accept the fact that the culture described here is nearly 4,000 years ago and they did things differently then. But you'll quickly see 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. You'll grow through this process. You'll become closer to, more sensitive to, more obedient to God --plus you'll learn to study your Bible in a new way.
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I originally wrote this in 1998 as an early attempt at online Bible study. Since then, it has been completely revised, annotated, and adapted for an interactive e-mail Bible study, complete with discussion questions that can be used by individuals in an online forum, as well as by classes and small groups. The questions are designed to force you to grapple with the core issues and spiritual lessons that lie a little below the surface. I encourage you to take the time to answer these questions, as they are one of the keys to a deeper understanding and application of the material.
My prayer is that you will grow in your faith as you study the Life of Jacob. I know God has challenged my life in the course of my studies. I pray he will challenge and refine your life, too.
Yours in Christ's
service,
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Loomis, California
January 1, 2010
Copyright © 2023, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.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.
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In-depth Bible study books
You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format.
- 28 Advent Scriptures
- 1, 2, and 3 John
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter & Jude
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Apostle Paul
- Abraham, Faith of
- Christ Powered Life (Romans 5-8)
- Christmas Incarnation
- Colossians and Philemon
- Conquering Lamb of Revelation
- Daniel
- David, Life of
- Early Church: Acts 1-12
- Elijah
- Ephesians
- Galatians
- Gideon
- Glorious Kingdom, The
- Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
- Great Prayers of the Bible
- Hebrews
- Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
- Isaiah
- Jacob, Life of
- James
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God
- JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
- John's Gospel
- Joshua
- Lamb of God
- Listening for God's Voice
- Lord's Supper
- Luke's Gospel
- Moses the Reluctant Leader
- Names and Titles of God
- Names and Titles of Jesus
- Philippians
- Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
- Resurrection and Easter Faith
- Sermon on the Mount
- Psalms
- Seven Last Words of Christ
- Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)
- Revelation
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.
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