This article was originally published to Lifeway. Feature image courtesy of Lifeway.

NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.

Bible Passage: Genesis 25

Discussion Questions:

—In what ways are you tempted to circumvent or take a shortcut around God’s ways to accomplish your own ends?

—What lesser things do you pursue instead of embracing God’s will and timing in your life?

—With faith in Jesus, how do you need to forsake sin and seek God’s righteousness in your thoughts, words, and actions?

Food for Thought:

No one likes to wait, but as believers we know we need to wait on the Lord. Throughout the Bible, God’s people waited on the Lord, trusting in His will and plans. Sometimes however, we decide not to wait on the Lord and try to take matters into our own hands. Even in those circumstance, God’s will and plan will always be accomplished.

In Genesis 24, God gave Isaac and Rebekah twins, but they struggled inside and outside her womb. As brothers, Jacob and Esau grew but found their parents’ favoritism affecting their sinful behavior.

Isaac loved Esau, the older son, and Rebekah loved Jacob, the younger son. Jacob manipulated his brother for his birthright and Esau flippantly traded it for a mere meal. Both were wrong in their actions and had a problem with waiting, wanting things when they wanted them. Though both were impatient, in God’s sovereignty and grace, His plan was still being played out for a line of descendants to come from His covenant people, ultimately resulting in Jesus. This line would come through Jacob even in his impatience and sin.

God is ever merciful and full of grace to His people and fulfills His promises despite our sin. We, however, still need to wait on God, trusting and obeying Him, knowing His plans and ways are better than our own.

Though it is hard to turn from sin and wait on the Lord, the Holy Spirit helps us today. We are more than able to resist temptation. It would be a much easier road if we followed the path God has for us, rather than tried to do things according to our own will. Even still, however, God will always accomplish His purposes.

The Gospel Project

The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/gospelproject.