Genesis 26-47, Deuteronomy 5:7-10
Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor, www.spiritsoulbody.org
Our families are the crucible in which our faith has the opportunity to be formed and transformed, so that we might become instruments of Shalom, instruments of peace.
Three case studies in family/soul transformation:
- Jacob – the grabber
- Joseph – the “good son”
- Judah – “most improved player”
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Discussion Questions
Before questions, attempt to give the group a bit of a summary of the main points of the sermon and then choose a few questions that fit your group’s needs and style. We don’t intend for you to use all of these. Three to five questions may be a good number.
- How has your own family played a role in your understanding of a safe or shalom-filled space?
- (Note: You can encourage folks that they can name both the positive ways they’ve experienced and/or the areas of dysfunction that have had to be tended to now in their adult lives. Remind the group of the confidentiality you agree to within the group.)
- We see Jacob’s example of trying to earn or steal what God wants to freely give.
- Why do you think that Christianity has become more associated with being an exclusive club versus a group of beggars standing with open hands to receive?
- If it were the end of your life right now, and you were to reflect back, what would yourself assessment be? Would it be more like Jacob (“few and evil have been the days”) or Joseph (“you meant it for evil but God used it for good").
- How can vision prevent bitterness, specifically what role does being yoked to shalom play in this?
- Connection to the giver, to God, can become the silver lining of every loss.
- Though we know this to be true, why is it in important that it is not offered as a sort of platitude to those experiencing loss in the moment?
- What are some ways to offer support to someone in their moment of loss that would better serve to remind them of Christ’s presence? (ex. offer them “a cup of cold water”, offer to be present, actively listen, etc.)
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17 aloud. What is the WHY behind this passage? (ex. To move us toward wholeness.)
- In Judah’s story we see him move from narcissism to embodying the character of Jesus.
- What was it in his character that brought about this powerful reconciliation?
- What is God saying in placing characters like Judah and Jacob in the line of Christ? (ex. The good news that Its not perfection he desires but growth and transformation!)