Jacob has a fascinating dream where he sees a staircase going to heaven with angels on it. Many have interpreted this simply as a warm way of God showing himself to Jacob, but there is far more going on here than sentimentality. Once again, this is about Jesus in the Old Testament. Today we answer the question, “If God is real, why doesn’t he show himself?” in “Jesus in the Staircase,” part of our Good News Everywhere Series.
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MESSAGE STUDY NOTES (also as PDF download above)
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WARM UP
Did you have a staircase growing up? What creative things did you do with it?
READ
Genesis 28:10-22; John 1:49-51
TAKEAWAYS
Question: If God is real, why doesn’t he show himself?
God offers: Presence, Protection, Purpose
Two errors:
1. Sacred space
2. Vow
1. Trust that God can meet with you anywhere
2. Trust that God is more involved in your life than you can see
3. Remember that God will often come to us when we are most desperate for him.
4. Remember that when God does reveal himself, we need to respond in an appropriate way.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Many people still see church buildings as sacred spaces. Why do you think that is?
2. Why do you think God often waits until we are desperate to show up? Why do you think even when we think we ARE desperate, he still doesn’t show up?
APPLICATION
Jesus described himself as “the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” How would you respond to someone who said, “You Christians are too exclusive?”
FOR MENTORING
When has God’s silence bothered you the most? Why?
