Grasping for Heaven
August 24, 2025
Jacob is on the run—alone, afraid, and far from everything familiar. But in a forgotten place, with only a stone for a pillow, he has an encounter that changes everything. In Part three of Grasping for God, we see that God doesn’t wait for us to climb up to Him—He brings heaven down to us. Jacob’s dream of a stairway reveals a deeper truth: heaven is not accessed by striving, but opened by grace. What seemed like a dead end becomes a doorway. And in Jesus, the true ladder, the gate of heaven is still open.
Passage
When Heaven Feels ##Closed## (Genesis 28:10-11)
When Heaven ##Breaks## ##In## (Genesis 28:12-15)
When Heaven ##Changes## ##You## (Genesis 28:16-20)
Principle
Heaven is not accessed by ##striving## but revealed by ##grace##.
Practice
Stop grasping for ##heaven## and be gripped by ##grace##.
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
Have you ever had a moment when God seemed to show up out of nowhere—in a place, time, or way you didn’t expect? What happened, and how did it change you?
HEAR
Read Exodus 3:1-12 (Moses and the Burning Bush)
- Where was Moses in life when this encounter occurred—physically, emotionally, spiritually? Why do you think God chose a burning bush in the wilderness to reveal Himself?
- How does God reframe Moses’ identity and purpose during this moment?
- Have you ever been in a “wilderness” season where God revealed something new about Himself or about you?
Read 1 Kings 19:1-18 (Elijah and the Gentle Whisper)
- What was Elijah running from? How does his emotional state shape this encounter?
- God wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire—but in a gentle whisper. What does that tell us about how God speaks? How can you become more attentive to God’s still, small voice in your own life?
- Have you ever expected God to show up one way, but He came in another?
Read Luke 24:13-35 (Two Disciples and a “Stranger”)
- Why didn’t the disciples recognize Jesus at first? What finally opened their eyes? What role did Scripture and hospitality play in their encounter with the risen Christ?
- What does it mean for your “heart to burn within you”? Have you ever felt that sense of spiritual clarity or awakening?
- How can we cultivate more moments of recognition in our daily walk?
HUDDLE
Where has God met you in a surprising way—in a moment of failure, grief, exhaustion, or doubt? How might you stay more open to His presence in your ordinary routines or unexpected detours? Talk about it, invite accountability, and pray for open eyes and expectant hearts to see and respond to God wherever He may appear.
Daily Reading
As you read each passage, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. Consider journaling one takeaway per day from this week’s reading. How does each passage remind you to seek God in the unexpected places?
- Day 1: Genesis 28
- Day 2: Exodus 3:1-12
- Day 3: 1 Kings 19:1-18
- Day 4: Luke 24:13-35
- Day 5: John 1
- Day 6: Psalm 139
- Day 7: Ephesians 2:1-10
Think Deeper
- When have you met God in an unexpected time or place?
- How do you respond to times of desperation?
- How has God used those times to reveal Himself to you?
Suggested Reading
The Patriarchs, by Stephen Davey
Abraham, by Charles Swindoll
Limping with God, by Chad Bird
Joseph, by Charles Swindoll
Joseph, by R.C. Sproul
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.