Jacob Returns to Bethel

Genesis 35:1-15

Key Verse 3

"Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”

1. Read verse 1-3. What has happened before God speaks to Jacob? (34:1-31) What does God tell Jacob to do? (1) What does Jacob ask his family to do before leaving for Bethel? (2) What important event in Jacob's life had happened in Bethel? (1b, 3; 28:10-22; 31:13)  What do you think it means for him to return to Bethel?

2. Read verses 4-5. What does Jacob’s household do? (4) What happens after they get rid of all the foreign gods? (5) What do you think we can learn from this?

3. Read verses 6-8. What does Jacob do when he arrives at Bethel? (6-7a) Why does he name the place El Bethel? (7b) What do you think this shows about Jacob's faith?

4. Read verses 9-15. What does God do after Jacob returns from Padan Aram ?( (9) What is God’s name for Jacob? (10, Gen 32:28)  What does God say to him? (11-13) What does Jacob do after God speaks to him? What do you think this shows about his faith?  (14-15)

*How do you think God is calling you to return to Bethel this year?