Genesis 35:2
So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 35:2?

2. Why did Jacob instruct his household to "get rid of the foreign gods"?

3. How can we identify and remove "foreign gods" in our own lives today?

4. What does Genesis 35:2 teach about purity before approaching God?

5. How does Genesis 35:2 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3?

6. What steps can we take to "purify ourselves" in our spiritual journey?

7. Why did Jacob instruct his household to discard foreign gods in Genesis 35:2?

8. What do "foreign gods" symbolize in Genesis 35:2?

9. How does Genesis 35:2 relate to the concept of monotheism?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 35?

11. What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?

12. Should Christians wear earrings?

13. Who are the Sons of Jacob?

14. (Genesis 35:9–10) Why does God reaffirm Jacob’s name to Israel here, even though it was already changed in Genesis 32:28?
Discussion Questions
1. What are some "foreign gods" or idols in your life that may be hindering your relationship with God, and how can you remove them?

2. How does the concept of purification in Genesis 35:2 relate to the New Testament teachings on holiness and sanctification?

3. In what ways can you lead your family or community in a deeper commitment to God, similar to Jacob's leadership?

4. Reflect on a "Bethel" moment in your life where you encountered God in a significant way. How can you return to that place of spiritual renewal?

5. How do the themes of exclusive worship and covenant faithfulness in Genesis 35:2 connect with the broader biblical account of God's relationship with His people?1. What does God's command to Jacob tell us about God's involvement in our personal journeys?

2. What is the significance of Jacob's instruction to his family to rid themselves of foreign gods?

3. Why is the act of purification and changing garments important before embarking on a spiritual journey?

4. How do Jacob's actions in Bethel demonstrate his obedience and commitment to God?

5. What is the significance of Jacob naming the place El-bethel?

6. How does God's reaffirmation of His covenant and renaming Jacob to Israel reflect God's faithfulness and transformative power?

7. How does the death of Rachel during childbirth illustrate the harsh realities of life in biblical times?

8. Why did Rachel name her son Ben-oni and why did Jacob rename him Benjamin?

9. What does Reuben's transgression reveal about the family dynamics and moral challenges within Jacob's family?

10. How does the enumeration of Jacob's sons emphasize the importance of lineage in the biblical narrative?

11. How can we relate Jacob's journey, personal trials, and family challenges to our own life experiences?

12. How does God's command to Jacob to build an altar in Bethel inspire us to create spaces for worship in our lives?

13. How does the concept of purification, as carried out by Jacob's household, apply to our spiritual lives today?

14. How do we handle the complex emotions of joy and sorrow, as Jacob did upon the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel?

15. How can we respond appropriately to transgressions within our own families or communities, as Jacob did with Reuben's sin?

16. What can the naming and renaming of places and people in this chapter teach us about identity and spiritual transformation?

17. How does the death of Isaac, the end of an era, affect our understanding of the transition of covenant responsibility to the next generation?

18. How can we lean on God's faithfulness in times of personal and familial trials, as demonstrated in Jacob's life?

19. How does the recurring theme of God's covenant inform our understanding of God's promise-keeping character?

20. How does this chapter challenge us to balance obedience to God with managing complex family relationships and personal challenges?

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