These questions are a guideline for your personal or small group study based on Sunday's sermon passage. Feel free to study and meditate on the passage more deeply. 

1. Genesis 27:1 "When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see..."  Isaac is thought to have been 137 years old at this time.  How does this initial verse show the corruption of Jacob and Rebekah's plan?  What feelings does this conjure toward them?

2. One of the initial sermon slides read, "Jacob vs. Esau - God's will always comes to pass."  What other scriptural evidence is there for this principle?  What other biblical characters come to mind?

3. Isaac says to Esau in verse 4 to "prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die."  Isaac was no doubt aware of what the Lord had spoken to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23 "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger".  Isaac himself appears to try and circumvent God's plan.  When have you tried to circumvent God's plan?  How did that work out?

4. In verses 5-17, Rebekah reveals her deceptive plot.  Rebekah now takes her turn in trying to alter God's plan.  How does this make you feel toward Rebekah considering that she conceived this idea to deceive her elderly husband?  

5. Jacob was probably 70-75 years old at the time of this deception.  He wasn't a young, impressionable boy.  How does this change your perception of this story and the deception that took place?

6. Pastor Randy stated, "What a dangerous thing it is when we think God needs our help!"  What did he mean by that?  How is it dangerous?

7. Pastor Randy mentioned the Kingdom Now Movement and warned of the dangers of that theology.  What are the dangers?  Read Ephesians 4 and Matthew 28.  What are we as Christians called to do here on earth?

8. Pastor Randy challenged us to respond to these two questions:
Moms:  How would you have handled this situation if you were in Rebekah's position?
Sons/Men:  How would you have handled this situation if you were in Jacob's position?    

9. In verses 18-27a, we see that Isaac trusted in his feelings more than he trusted in God.  Why can trusting in our feelings be dangerous?  

10.  In verses 19-20 & 24, lying and deception seem to get easier for Jacob the more that he does it.  How have you seen this principle play out in your life or in the life of others?  Sin is a slippery slope.

11. In verses 30-40, Esau doesn't repent for his wrongful feelings and actions in giving up his birthright and blessing.  Esau was sorry only because of what he missed out on.  Have you ever been in this position?  What is the difference between repentance and sorrow?

12. Pastor Randy's concluding statements included, "God doesn't need our help.  God loves us despite of us. You can't earn God's favor."  Reflect on what these statements mean to you.