Big Idea: The Rebirth of a Nation.

In the Beginning: Jacob
Genesis 35:16-29 CSB

I. What’s in a name?   16-20
They set out from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. During her difficult labor, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for you have another son." With her last breath-for she was dying-she named him Ben-oni (son of my sorrow), but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Jacob set up a marker on her grave; it is the marker at Rachel's grave still today.

II. A blessed and dysfunctional family.   21-26
Israel set out again and pitched his tent beyond the Tower of Eder. While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons: Leah's sons were Reuben (Jacob's firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Rachel's sons were Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Rachel's slave Bilhah were Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Leah's slave Zilpah were Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan-aram.

III. Celebration of life.   27-29
Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. Isaac lived 180 years. He took his last breath and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Next Steps: 

Believe: I need a rebirth of the Holy Spirit to change my heart.
Become: Today I will not let strife and contention separate me from the things of Christ.
Be Sent: I want a renewed interest in experiencing God this week.


Group Discussion Questions: 

Do you think a rebirth is needed in our world today? If so, how do you think it should be done?
How does God’s affirmation of renaming Jacob to Israel reflect God’s faithfulness to Abraham’s descendants?
How does Jacob’s situation challenge us to balance obedience to God with managing complex family relationships and personal challenges?
How does God’s command to Jacob to build altars inspire us to create space for worship in our lives?
How do you handle the emotions of joy and sorrow, as Jacob did upon the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel?
How can we lean on God's faithfulness in times of personal and family trials?
Pray for a spiritual regeneration of the body of Christ in a chaotic world.