Small Group Resources

Small Group Discussion Questions

June 21 - 27

Sermon Series: Birth of a Nation

Week 3: Jacob & Esau

Ice Breaker if Needed

Share a story about a time when you got lost.

Discussion Questions

1. Read Genesis 25:22-23. What would the warring nature of the twins have signaled about the state of brotherhood and ongoing struggle with others in a fallen world? Discuss other sibling relationships in Scripture. What do you notice about them? What do these relationships reveal about favoritism, rivalries, and feuds? How did God deal with family strife in Scripture? How did God use family struggles for good?

2. Read Genesis 25:27-34. How did Isaac and Rebecca fan the flames of their sons’ strife? What did Esau and Jacob learn about their parents, and each other, as they grew? Examine if you have been affected by, or been a contributor to, favoritism or perpetuating strife within your family.

3. Re-read Genesis 25:29-34, focusing on Esau’s trade. Why was it so easy for Esau to sell his birthright for soup? What did he value? What did Jacob understand and value? Verse 34 states, “…So Esau despised his birthright.” Where do you observe people, or even yourself, “despising” a birthright? Have you struggled with desires for instant gratification over patience or righteousness? How do very real needs and desires (Esau’s hunger) become distorted and twisted until they become too large to control on our own? What is that called? What is the remedy?

4. In Genesis 27, Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing through elaborate trickery with the help of his mother. Think of this story within the larger picture of Jacob’s life, including his wives, children, and wrestling with God. What kind of a man was Jacob? Why would God use such a man to be the father of the twelve tribes?

5. While fleeing from Esau’s wrath, Jacob had an important dream. Read Genesis 28:10-15. What was God establishing with Jacob, which He had already established with Abraham and Isaac? How is God’s character revealed through this covenant? What does God see?

6. Read Genesis 33:1-4. Jacob and Esau met after many years. How did Jacob expect the meeting to go? What actions revealed growth and repentance in Jacob? What do you think was the biggest catalyst for Jacob’s growth? Before this meeting, Jacob wrestled with God. What often follows when we have our meatiest encounters with God? How would the “old Jacob” have approached a meeting with Esau? Is it possible to have an encounter with God and not walk away changed? Why or why not?