Connect When are you most likely to forget the Lordʼs presence? What would most help?
Warm-Up
1. In Genesis 32, two strands of Jacobʼs past have the potential to come crashing together! Thinking about the two family lines (i.e, Jacob and Rachel/Leah) what has led up to this point?
Read Genesis 32:6-21
2. With Esau fast approaching, how is Jacob feeling? Why might he have reasons to be afraid?
3. What are the three different ways that Jacob prepares for Esauʼs arrival? What might this suggest about Jacobʼs trust in God? Can you relate to using any — or all — of these?
4. Why did Jacob actually have nothing at all to fear? Why do those in Christ (in an ultimate sense) have nothing to fear? What reminds you of this truth day-by-day through the good and the bad?
5. Zooming in on the content of Jacobʼs prayer, what does he actually pray? What is Jacob trying to remind God of? What do you think are the most redeeming parts of his prayer and why?
6. Do you ever hesitate to cry out to God in prayer? What stops you from crying out to him?
Read Genesis 32:22-33
7. Who is left with Jacob after he sent his wives, servants, and sons across the river? Who appears?
8. What are the clues that the wrestling with God was physical and not a metaphorical wrestling?
9. What do you find most surprising about this incident? If Jacob wrestled God, how could it be possible that God was not strong enough to ʻoverpower himʼ? What must have been happening?
10. What happens to Jacobʼs hip? What condition did this put him in for his meeting with Esau?
11. Why would God ask Jacob to tell his name? By saying his name, what was Jacob coming to terms with?
12. As soon as Jacob shares his name, what does God do? What is the meaning of this new name?
13. Does Jacob walk away from this incident puffed up or humbled? Other than his limping, how is it clear to Jacob that God is stronger than him? (Clue: look at the name he calls the place.)
14. Why do you think a tradition emerged for the Israelites to not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip? How might this have been a reminder of Godʼs faithfulness and our need for him?
15. What are the types of things that Jacob may have been fearful of, wrestling for, his entire life? Who should he have actually been fearful of?
Apply What are the areas of weakness in your life that can help you to push into and rely on Godʼs grace?
Pray Gracious God, thank you that you became weak for us so that we could grasp what we truly need. Help us to depend on you and rest that itʼs in Christ weʼre truly saved. In Jesusʼ Name, Amen.
On Your Frontline this Week What work are you finding tiring at the moment? How can you invite God to give you strength at this time?
For Families • Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
Listen, Watch, and Read • Listen (sermon): “In the Grip of His Grace” by Pete Wilkinson: https://stebbes.org/sermons/close-encounters/#sermons • Listen (sermon): “Seeking the Blessing of God” by Hugh Palmer: https://allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=227028&show_file=240747 • Listen (sermon): “The Fight of Your Life” by Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-fight-of-your-life/ • Read (article): “Jacobʼs Limp” by Leonard J. Joenig: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0049017297800042
Series Resources • Read: “Genesis” by Derek Kidner. • Read: “Genesis for Everyone: Part 2” by John Goldingay. • Read: “How to Read Genesis” by Tremper Longman III • Read: “Genesis: Story of God Bible Commentary” by Tremper Longman III • Watch: “Genesis 12-50” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-12-50 • Watch: “How should we read the Old Testament?” by Dan Paterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJtba-JyPVg Available to borrow from the St Bartʼs Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library
