◄ Genesis 35:3 ►
Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 35:3? 2. How does Genesis 35:3 encourage us to remember God's help in our lives? 3. What actions did Jacob take to prepare for meeting God in Genesis 35:3? 4. How can we "build an altar" in our daily spiritual practices today? 5. What past experiences remind you of God's faithfulness, as seen in Genesis 35:3? 6. How does Genesis 35:3 connect to God's promises throughout the Bible? 7. What does Genesis 35:3 reveal about God's faithfulness in times of distress? 8. How does Genesis 35:3 illustrate the importance of returning to God? 9. What historical context surrounds Jacob's journey in Genesis 35:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 35? 11. Why does the Old Testament lack references to key Jewish practices (such as strict monotheism) until much later historical periods? 12. (Genesis 35:1) How can we verify historically or archeologically that Bethel existed as described here? 13. Does God change his mind? I Samuel 15:10-11, 15:35, and Genesis 6:6-7 suggest yes, while I Samuel 15:29 suggests no. How do these contradictions reconcile? 14. What historical or archaeological evidence supports Jacob's anointing of the stone or the site's significant status (Genesis 28:18)? Discussion Questions 1. How does Jacob's return to Bethel demonstrate his faith and obedience to God? 2. In what ways can you create "altars" in your life to remember and honor God's faithfulness? 3. Reflect on a "day of distress" in your life. How did you experience God's presence and help during that time? 4. How can the account of Jacob's journey to Bethel encourage you in your current walk with God? 5. What other biblical figures experienced God's faithfulness in times of distress, and how can their accounts inspire you? Genesis 35 Bible Study Questions 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? Links Genesis 35:3 NIV Genesis 35:3 NLT Genesis 35:3 ESV Genesis 35:3 NASB Genesis 35:3 KJV Genesis 35:3 Commentaries Bible Hub