ENCOUNTER AT BETHEL: REDISCOVERING WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE

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MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on t he App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.

GROWTH QUESTION #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

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 35:9-15 (NLT) - 9 Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, 10 saying, “Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel.” So God renamed him Israel. 11 Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! 12 And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from the place where he had spoken to Jacob. 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar to mark the place where God had spoken to him. Then he poured wine over it as an offering to God and anointed the pillar with olive oil. 15 And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means “house of God”), because God had spoken to him there.

Opening QUESTION

What stands out to you in this passage?

TRUTH #1

WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT US IS MORE POWERFUL THAN OUR PAST MISTAKES

Genesis 35:10 (NLT) — 10 saying, “Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel.” So God renamed him Israel.

  • God renames Jacob “Israel” to confirm a new identity that He had already spoken during Jacob’s wrestling encounter (Gen. 32:28 NLT).
  • God often has to remind us of our identity because we tend to fall back into old labels, old fears, and old patterns.
  • When God speaks identity, He speaks destiny—He tells us who we are becoming, not just who we have been.
Our identity in Christ is also a gift, not something earned.

John 1:12 (NLT) — But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

  • Who God says we are matters more than who we have been in the past.
  • His declarations about us are stronger than our past mistakes.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) — This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

What “old name” or old identity do you tend to live under, and what truth from God’s Word do you need to replace it with?

TRUTH #2

GOD’S PROMISES NEVER EXPIRE!

Genesis 35:11-12 (NLT) — 11 Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! 12 And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.”

  • God reminds Jacob of the same promises given to Abraham and Isaac, showing that His Word doesn’t change with circumstances.
  • The name El-Shaddai (“God Almighty”) emphasizes that God has the power to fulfill every promise He makes.
  • God’s promises often unfold over time, but He is always faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) — Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

  • Even when Jacob’s life was messy or slow-moving, God’s covenant remained steady.
  • God’s Word is not fragile, and His promises don’t expire.
  • God promises land, descendants, and kings—showing that His plans for Jacob were bigger than Jacob could see.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) — Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Is there a promise from God’s Word that you have struggled to believe lately? What makes it difficult to trust?

TRUTH #3

PRAISE REMINDS US OF WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE!

Genesis 35:14 (NLT) — 14 Jacob set up a stone pillar to mark the place where God had spoken to him. Then he poured wine over it as an offering to God and anointed the pillar with olive oil. 

  • After God speaks, Jacob marks the place with a pillar and an offering—he creates a physical reminder of what God has done.
  • Worship is more than singing; it’s responding to God with obedience, gratitude, and remembrance.
  • Jacob’s pillar symbolizes a “spiritual marker”—a moment we return to when doubt or hardship hits.
  • God’s presence always invites a response; we cannot encounter Him and stay the same.

James 4:8 (NLT) — Come close to God, and God will come close to you…

  • When we worship, we acknowledge God’s faithfulness and align our hearts with His truth.

Psalm 103:1–2 (NLT) — 1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

What is one “spiritual marker” in your life—a moment where you knew God spoke or moved—and how has it shaped you? 

CLOSING QUESTION

What’s one thing you’re taking away from this story that you want to apply to your own life this week?

GIVING

God gives influence and honor to those who share freely and give generously.

Psalm 112:9 (NLT
They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. 

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

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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?