GROWTH QUESTION #1
Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?
WHEN GOD SAYS “GO”
MEETING AGENDA
- OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
- GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
- ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
- TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
- GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
- CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.
GROWTH QUESTION #2
What did you learn from this week’s sermon?
GROWTH QUESTION #3
What was your most important accomplishment this week?
TODAY’S PASSAGE:
Genesis 31:1–13 (NLT) But Jacob soon learned that Laban’s sons were grumbling about him. “Jacob has robbed our father of everything!” they said. “He has gained all his wealth at our father’s expense.” 2 And Jacob began to notice a change in Laban’s attitude toward him. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.” 4 So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock. 5 He said to them, “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me has changed. But the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know how hard I have worked for your father, 7 but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm. 8 For if he said, ‘The speckled animals will be your wages,’ the whole flock began to produce speckled young. And when he changed his mind and said, ‘The striped animals will be your wages,’ then the whole flock produced striped young. 9 In this way, God has taken your father’s animals and given them to me. 10 “One time during the mating season, I had a dream and saw that the male goats mating with the females were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 11 Then in my dream, the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Yes, here I am.’ 12 “The angel said, ‘Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you. 13 I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.”
Opening QUESTION
What stood out to you from the passage we just read?
TRUTH #1
GOD WILL DISTURB YOUR COMFORT TO DIRECT YOUR CALLING (v. 1–3)
But Jacob soon learned that Laban’s sons were grumbling about him. “Jacob has robbed our father of everything!” they said. “He has gained all his wealth at our father’s expense.” 2 And Jacob began to notice a ch ange in Laban’s attitude toward him. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.”
- Jacob had lived for 20 years in Haran. Life had become comfortable, but comfort isn’t always confirmation.
- When Laban’s sons grew jealous and his favor began to shift, God used the tension to move Jacob into obedience.
- Sometimes God allows discomfort to push us toward destiny.
- God told Jacob, “Return home … and I will be with you.” The promise of His presence outweighed the fear of change.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT) – “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
- When life grows uneasy, ask, “Is God growing me?”
- Discomfort may be the signal that it’s time to obey His next instruction.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
Have you ever experienced God using discomfort or loss of favor to move you into a new season? How did that grow your faith?
TRUTH #2
OBEDIENCE REQUIRES FAITH BEYOND FEELINGS (v. 4–9)
4 So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock. 5 He said to them, “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me has changed. But the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know how hard I have worked for your father, 7 but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm. 8 For if he said, ‘The speckled animals will be your wages,’ the whole flock began to produce speckled young. And when he changed his mind and said, ‘The striped animals will be your wages,’ then the whole flock produced striped young. 9 In this way, God has taken your father’s animals and given them to me.
- Jacob obeyed even when the path was uncertain. He left stability for promise.
- Obedience often comes before understanding.
- God doesn’t always show us the full map. Sometimes it's just the next step.
- Jacob reminded his family how God had been faithful even when others were unfair. He saw God’s hand in both blessing and hardship.
- True obedience sees God as the source, not man. Laban changed Jacob’s wages ten times, but God still prospered him.
Isaiah 1:19 (NLT) – “If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.”
- Our obedience is the bridge between God’s promise and His provision.
- When we move in faith, God moves on our behalf.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
Why is it so hard to obey God when the path isn’t clear? What helps you choose faith over fear?
TRUTH #3
REAL ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD CALL FOR REAL RESPONSE (v.10-13)
10 “One time during the mating season, I had a dream and saw that the male goats mating with the females were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 11 Then in my dream, the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Yes, here I am.’ 12 “The angel said, ‘Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you. 13 I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.’”
- God reminded Jacob of Bethel, the place where He first appeared to him 20 years earlier.
- Before sending him forward, God pointed him back to remember His faithfulness and renew his commitment.
- Every believer needs a “Bethel moment:" a place or time when we met God and He marked our lives.
- When we remember what God did before, we find courage for what He’s calling us to now.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) – “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
- When you forget the promise, revisit the place where God first spoke.
- Your history with God fuels faith for your future with Him.
- This is why speaking your testimony is so important. It reminds you of what God can do.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
Where was your “Bethel” moment—when you first experienced God’s voice or direction in a real way? How can remembering it strengthen you today?
CLOSING QUESTION
What is one thing you learned from today’s lesson that you will apply this week?
GIVING
When we choose to give systematically and intentionally to meet the needs of ministers, foreigners, orphans and widows, God will bless all the work that we do.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 (NLT)
28 At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. 29 Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.
Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.
PRAY
QUESTION #1
Who are you praying for to be saved?
QUESTION #2
Who can you invite to the next meeting?
QUESTION #3
What are your prayer requests?