The Future Tribes

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 49:1-28

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The Future Tribes — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 49:1-28
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 26, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does this theme of blessing in chapter 49 bring us back to creation? What does this tell us about God’s larger plan through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
2.   Why do Reuben, Simeon, and Levi receive such hard words of rebuke? How can this be part of a “blessing” (v. 28)?
3.   Why should Jacob’s words to the first three sons encourage us to take sin more seriously?
4.   How are vv. 8-12 a prophecy of Christ? How does this passage characterize him and his coming?|
5.   What does the prospering of Jacob’s sons, especially Joseph, teach us about God’s dealings with his people? How does this grow our faith in him?

References: Hebrews 11:21; Genesis 1:28; 35:22; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 34; 38:26; 44:33; Daniel 7:14; Psalm 2:8; Revelation 5:5, 9; John 2:1-11; Matthew 28:18; Romans 1:5; Ephesians 1:3.

Another Prosperous Patriarch

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 30:25-43

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Another Prosperous Patriarch — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 30:25-43
Sermon Series: Genesis
July 7, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  Where else in Genesis have we seen the theme of material prosperity? Why is this an important aspect of God’s dealings with the Patriarchs in particular?
2.  Discuss how Jacob and Laban respond differently to God’s blessings. How does Laban’s response give us insight into the unbelieving heart?
3.  How does the first part of this passage help us to see that our good is for God’s glory? In what ways do you overlook this in your life?
4.  How do Jacob and Laban serve as a picture of Christ and his people? What does it mean to say that all the blessings we receive are “spillover” from Christ?
5.  How does Laban mistreat Jacob? What does the final outcome teach us about God’s work in our lives?
6.  How does this passage free us up to love our enemies?

References: Genesis 28:15; 12:16; 24:35; 26:12-14; 28:13, 14; Romans 1:18; Genesis 31:10-12.

Like Father, Like Son, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 26:12-33

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Like Father, Like Son, Part 2 — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 26:12-33
Sermon Series: Genesis
May 26, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.      What does it look like to live as though God is actively involved in our everyday lives?
2.      Discuss the extent of Isaac’s prosperity in this passage. How should Christians think about prosperity with respect to this life and the life to come?
3.      What negative effect can earthly blessings have on our lives? How does God protect us from this?
4.      How have you seen God remove your fears by means of his Word?
5.      What does Isaac’s response both to the conflict and to the provisions teach us about the life of faith?
6.      What does it mean to say that making peace is the way of the Lord? How should this effect the way we relate to others?

References: Genesis 12:2-3, 10-20; Exodus 1:7, 9; 2 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:3; Romans 8:18, 32; Genesis 21:25; Isaiah 26:3; James 1:17; Genesis 21:22-34.