BayLife Church
BayLife Church: Address the Mess - Week 8
Jacob and the Mess of Spiritual Shortcuts // Genesis 25:22-34, 27:33-41
Locations & Times
BayLife Church
23800 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
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https://baylifechurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/223653stronghold: 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
Jacob’s Pattern of Spiritual Shortcuts
1. Manipulating Esau for the Birthright
1. Manipulating Esau for the Birthright
Jacob’s Pattern of Spiritual Shortcuts
1. Manipulating Esau for the Birthright
2. Deceiving Isaac for the Blessing
1. Manipulating Esau for the Birthright
2. Deceiving Isaac for the Blessing
Jacob’s Pattern of Spiritual Shortcuts
1. Manipulating Esau for the Birthright
2. Deceiving Isaac for the Blessing
3. Having Relationships with Multiple Women
1. Manipulating Esau for the Birthright
2. Deceiving Isaac for the Blessing
3. Having Relationships with Multiple Women
Beliefs that Lead to Spiritual Shortcuts
1. My destiny is my responsibility.
1. My destiny is my responsibility.
The belief that my destiny is my responsibility sells me far short of what God could accomplish in my life.
Beliefs that Lead to Spiritual Shortcuts
1. My destiny is my responsibility.
2. People are a means to an end.
1. My destiny is my responsibility.
2. People are a means to an end.
Beliefs that Lead to Spiritual Shortcuts
1. My destiny is my responsibility.
2. People are a means to an end.
3. My worth is measured by tangible metrics.
1. My destiny is my responsibility.
2. People are a means to an end.
3. My worth is measured by tangible metrics.
How to Address the Mess:
1. Sober Self-Assessment
2. Spiritual Accountability
3. Surrender to God’s Leadership
1. Sober Self-Assessment
2. Spiritual Accountability
3. Surrender to God’s Leadership
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Use these questions to reflect on this week's message as a family or group.
1. 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?
2. What responsibility did Jacob’s parents have in letting him know God’s plan for his life?
3. Describe Jacob and Esau. What did each value in life? (See Genesis 25:22-34, 27:33-41.)
4. Read Psalm 52:6-7. What does it say about the man who puts his trust in the wrong things?
5. What is the danger of wanting or trying to control your own destiny?
6. List the principles that we can use to address the mess of spiritual shortcuts.
7. What is the spiritual stronghold in your life, and how are you going to address it?
8. What has been the most helpful part of this series for you? How are you applying that in your life?
Use these questions to reflect on this week's message as a family or group.
1. 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?
2. What responsibility did Jacob’s parents have in letting him know God’s plan for his life?
3. Describe Jacob and Esau. What did each value in life? (See Genesis 25:22-34, 27:33-41.)
4. Read Psalm 52:6-7. What does it say about the man who puts his trust in the wrong things?
5. What is the danger of wanting or trying to control your own destiny?
6. List the principles that we can use to address the mess of spiritual shortcuts.
7. What is the spiritual stronghold in your life, and how are you going to address it?
8. What has been the most helpful part of this series for you? How are you applying that in your life?
Worship through Giving
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Sunday, June 6 // 10 a.m. // Join us for an off-site worship experience as we meet by the bay and hold our first BayLife baptism service!
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https://baylifechurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/254797
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