Address the Mess - Week 8
May 30, 2021
Notes
Address the Mess - Week 8
Jacob and the Mess of Spiritual Shortcuts
Genesis 25:22-34, 27:33-41
stronghold: a pattern of thought and behavior that defies the principles of God’s word and opens our lives to the control of sin and Satan
generational sin: when a single moral failure becomes a spiritual stronghold and eventually a predictable pattern of moral failure across multiple generations
Genesis 25:22-26
Jacob’s Pattern of Spiritual Shortcuts
Manipulating Esau for the Birthright
Genesis 25:29-34
Deceiving Isaac for the Blessing
Genesis 27:33-34
Genesis 27:38b
Genesis 27:41b
Having Relationships with Multiple Women
Genesis 30:1
Beliefs that Lead to Spiritual Shortcuts
My destiny is my responsibility.
Jeremiah 10:23
Proverbs 3:5-6
The belief that my destiny is my responsibility sells me far short of what God could accomplish in my life.
People are a means to an end.
Psalm 15:2-5
My worth is measured by tangible metrics.
Psalm 52:6-7
How to Address the Mess
Sober Self-Assessment
Genesis 47:9
Spiritual Accountability
Surrender to God’s Leadership
Genesis 48:15b-16a
Discussion Guide
Use these questions to reflect on this week's message as a family or group.
Describe a time you tried to take a shortcut when traveling and it didn’t work out. In what areas of life do you usually look for shortcuts? Why are we drawn toward shortcuts?
What responsibility did Jacob’s parents have in letting him know God’s plan for his life?
Describe Jacob and Esau. What did each value in life? (See Genesis 25:22-34, 27:33-41.)
Read Psalm 52:6-7. What does it say about the man who puts his trust in the wrong things?
What is the danger of wanting or trying to control your own destiny?
List the principles that we can use to address the mess of spiritual shortcuts.
What is the spiritual stronghold in your life, and how are you going to address it?
What has been the most helpful part of this series for you? How are you applying that in your life?
