To prepare for this Bible study, please read the women in Christ commentary, Leah. 
 

Part I. The Example of Leah

 1. Genesis 29:1-14 Describe Jacob’s first meetings with Rachel and Laban.

 2. Genesis 29:14-20 How long did Jacob work for Laban before they discussed wages? What wages did they agree on? Why?

 3. Genesis 29:21-25 How did Jacob feel about Laban’s deceit?

 4. Genesis 29:26-27 What bargain did Laban make this time? What options do you think Jacob had? What do you think, if anything, is missing from their negotiations?

 5. Genesis 29:28-30 How do you think this bargain affected the two sisters, Leah and Rachel?

 6. Genesis 29:31-35 God took notice of Leah’s misery. Why do you think God chose to comfort her in this way? What clues do you have about Leah’s attitude toward God?

 7. What have you learned about God and how he feels about people from this family’s story? (The complete story of Leah and Rachel is found in Genesis 29:1-33:20; 35:16-20)

 8. What do you think Leah and Rachel could have done differently within their culture and circumstances to create a healthier and happier family and spiritual life?

 9. What lesson(s) or insight(s), if any, did you gain from this glimpse into Leah’s life?

Part II. For God So Loved

1. Leviticus 18:18 What instruction did God give the fledgling nation of Israel? Do you think this was a good law then? Why? Does it have an application today? Explain. What does this instruction tell you about God’s character?

2. Deuteronomy 5:28-29; Hebrews 8:7-13 What caused the agreement between God and the nation of Israel to fail?

3. Psalm 118:1-7; Psalm 116:4-7; Deuteronomy 4:35-38 Why does God take action on our behalf?

4. Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:35-40; Micah 6:8 What response does God want from us?

 5. John 3:14-21; Galatians 2:15-21; I John 4:10, 19; I John 3:16 What was God’s motive for sending his son Jesus to become flesh and die to pay the penalty for our sins?

 6. Romans 5:8; Mark 2:15-17; I John 3:1 Why do you think, in spite of God’s declarations of love, we still sometimes feel unloved?

7. John 13:34-35; I John 2:1-6, 10; 3:10-18; 4:7-8; James 1:19-22, 27; Galatians 5:6b, 13-15 When we belong to Christ and become part of God’s family of brothers and sisters, the godly trait of love becomes evidence of God’s presence within his children. Give specific examples of loving actions that flow out of love as motivation.

 8. Ephesians 3:14-21 Do you see evidence of this prayer being answered in your life? If not, what would you like to see changed for you to be able to see evidence that this prayer was answered in your life?

 9. Galatians 5:22-26; I Corinthians 13:4-8, 13; I John 4:16 These characteristics of love are also character traits of God. How can you cultivate these characteristics in your own character and actions?

 10. Romans 8:1-4, 28-39 Did the mistakes, sins, or failures of Jacob, Leah, or Rachel separate them from God’s love? Can anything you have thought or done separate you from God’s love?