Peeling Sticks Instead of Trusting God
Genesis 29:31-30:24 | Small Group Discussion

Jay Nugteren • Community Life Pastor
October 25, 2026

4 Minute Read
Scripture
Additional Passages


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Peeling Sticks Instead of Trusting God

Welcome to Oxford Online, where we believe that a relationship with Jesus Christ changes everything. When the future feels uncertain, we can be tempted to rely on our own schemes to make things work. Through Jacob’s dealings with Laban, this message reminds us that God’s grace and faithful provision sustain us. We can work diligently, surrender our need for control, and bring our anxieties to Him in prayer.

Join us as we learn to trust God and walk in faithful obedience.

Jay Nugteren • 10/25/2026

Message Summary

After years of working for Laban, Jacob wanted to provide for his household and return home. But Laban continued to manipulate their arrangement, making Jacob’s future feel uncertain. Jacob responded with his own schemes, including placing peeled branches in front of the breeding animals in an attempt to produce the kinds of offspring he would receive as wages.

Although Jacob’s flocks increased, God later revealed that He had seen Laban’s unfair treatment and had provided for Jacob. The peeled sticks were not the source of Jacob’s prosperity. God was faithfully caring for His covenant family.

The message challenges us to recognize our own “peeled sticks”—the strategies, habits, or formulas we depend on as though our future rests entirely on us. Trusting God does not mean refusing to work or plan. It means working faithfully without making money our master, manipulating others, or believing that everything depends on our ability to control the outcome.

God’s grace and providence sustain us. Because He promises His presence, we can bring our concerns to Him with thanksgiving and take the next step of obedience.


Small Group Questions

Opening Question
  1. When something important feels uncertain, what is your first instinct: make a plan, work harder, seek reassurance, pray, or something else?
Understanding the Passage
  1. How did Laban’s treatment of Jacob create pressure for him to take matters into his own hands?
  2. How does Genesis 31:9–13 explain what was happening behind Jacob’s growing flocks?
  3. What response to God’s direction do Rachel and Leah express in Genesis 31:14–16?
Growth and Application
  1. What might “peeling sticks” look like in your life—something you rely on to secure an outcome instead of trusting God?
  2. When you face unfair treatment, what temptations become strongest? What would an honest, faithful response look like?
  3. How can you distinguish between responsible planning and trying to control everything? What warning signs help you recognize the difference?
  4. Read Hebrews 13:5. How does God’s promise of His presence address our struggle with money and contentment?
  5. Jay described two dangers: laziness and anxious overwork. Which are you more vulnerable to, and what needs to change?
  6. Have you ever treated prayer, giving, church attendance, or another good practice as a formula for getting something from God? How does understanding grace change that approach?
  7. Looking back, where can you recognize God’s provision in something you once credited mainly to your own efforts?
  8. Read Philippians 4:4–7. What specific concern could you bring to God with thanksgiving this week, even before you know the outcome?
  9. Is there a clear step of obedience you have delayed because you want more certainty first? How could the group support you in taking it?


Gospel Connection

God remained faithful to Jacob despite Jacob’s flawed efforts to secure his own future. His care flowed from His covenant faithfulness, rather than Jacob’s ability to earn it.

The gospel gives us an even greater assurance of God’s grace. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we receive forgiveness and acceptance that we could never manufacture through our own performance. Our security rests in Christ.

How does knowing that you are accepted through Jesus help you work faithfully without making success, possessions, or other people’s approval your source of security?


Prayer

Pray for:

  • Honesty to recognize where you rely on control or manipulation.
  • Contentment grounded in God’s presence.
  • Wisdom to work diligently while trusting God with the results.
  • Gratitude for His provision and grace through Jesus.
  • Courage to obey Him when the future remains uncertain.
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From this Author: Jay Nugteren
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October 25, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
Peeling Sticks Instead of Trusting God
Scripture Genesis 30:25-43 (ESV) Genesis 31:1-16 (ESV) Additional Passages Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) Matthew 6:24-27 (ESV) Philippians 4:4-7 (ESV) Watch The Sermon If you haven’t yet, be sure to watch the sermon to join the discussion.Watch the service Message Summary After years of working for Laban, Jacob wanted to provide for his household and return home. But Laban continued to manipulate their arrangement, making Jacob’s future feel uncertain. Jacob responded with his own schemes, including placing peeled branches in front of the breeding animals in an attempt to produce the kinds of offspring he would receive as wages. Although Jacob’s flocks increased, God later revealed that He had seen Laban’s unfair treatment and had provided for Jacob. The peeled sticks were not the source of Jacob’s prosperity. God was faithfully caring for His covenant family. The message challenges us to recognize our own “peeled sticks”—the strategies, habits, or formulas we depend on as though our future rests entirely on us. Trusting God does not mean refusing to work or plan. It means working faithfully without making money our master, manipulating others, or believing that everything depends on our ability to control the outcome. God’s grace and providence sustain us. Because He promises His presence, we can bring our concerns to Him with thanksgiving and take the next step of obedience. Small Group Questions Opening Question When something important feels uncertain, what is your first instinct: make a plan, work harder, seek reassurance, pray, or something else? Understanding the Passage How did Laban’s treatment of Jacob create pressure for him to take matters into his own hands? How does Genesis 31:9–13 explain what was happening behind Jacob’s growing flocks? What response to God’s direction do Rachel and Leah express in Genesis 31:14–16? Growth and Application What might “peeling sticks” look like in your life—something you rely on to secure an outcome instead of trusting God? When you face unfair treatment, what temptations become strongest? What would an honest, faithful response look like? How can you distinguish between responsible planning and trying to control everything? What warning signs help you recognize the difference? Read Hebrews 13:5. How does God’s promise of His presence address our struggle with money and contentment? Jay described two dangers: laziness and anxious overwork. Which are you more vulnerable to, and what needs to change? Have you ever treated prayer, giving, church attendance, or another good practice as a formula for getting something from God? How does understanding grace change that approach? Looking back, where can you recognize God’s provision in something you once credited mainly to your own efforts? Read Philippians 4:4–7. What specific concern could you bring to God with thanksgiving this week, even before you know the outcome? Is there a clear step of obedience you have delayed because you want more certainty first? How could the group support you in taking it? Gospel Connection God remained faithful to Jacob despite Jacob’s flawed efforts to secure his own future. His care flowed from His covenant faithfulness, rather than Jacob’s ability to earn it. The gospel gives us an even greater assurance of God’s grace. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we receive forgiveness and acceptance that we could never manufacture through our own performance. Our security rests in Christ. How does knowing that you are accepted through Jesus help you work faithfully without making success, possessions, or other people’s approval your source of security? Prayer Pray for: Honesty to recognize where you rely on control or manipulation. Contentment grounded in God’s presence. Wisdom to work diligently while trusting God with the results. Gratitude for His provision and grace through Jesus. Courage to obey Him when the future remains uncertain.

Jay Nugteren

Community Life Pastor

September 27, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
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Growing Together: The Purpose and Goals of Small Groups At Oxford Baptist Church, a relationship with Jesus Christ is a lifelong journey full of intentional next steps. Small Group Ministry is one of the primary ways we walk out that journey together, living out our core mission to glorify God by making disciples who love one another and share Jesus with our community. While our Sunday gatherings bring us together as a whole church family, small groups offer the close-knit setting where deep spiritual growth and authentic community happen. The Main Goals of Our Small Groups Engaging in God's Word: Small groups provide an approachable space to open Scripture together, dig deeper into truth, and discover how God's Word guides daily life. Reinforcing Sunday Sermon Truths: Group discussions allow us to review, discuss, and practicalize the biblical truths preached on Sunday morning, taking sermon points from the pulpit into our weekly routines. Building Authentic Relationships: Faith was never meant to be lived in isolation. Small groups help us form genuine friendships, build trust, and share life honestly with fellow believers. Caring and Loving One Another: In obedience to Scripture's commands to care for one another, small groups serve as our primary network for mutual support, prayer, encouragement, and practical love during all seasons of life. Small groups are where you can grow in relationship with God and fellow believers. Whether you are new to faith or have been following Christ for years, finding a small group is a meaningful next step in your spiritual walk. Click below to get connected to a small group.Small Group Sign Up

Jay Nugteren

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