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Jacob Wrestles God

Study Scripture: Genesis 32:[9-13] 22-30

Background Scripture: Genesis 25:19-35:27

Focus: Jacob has been through a lot and still strives for and wrestles for his blessing, and God redeems his name in meeting Jacob where he is. 

Function: We will discover the new name God has given us as we come to Him (God) as we are. 

Warm-up

What is the most intense thing you have fought for? 

What was it, and who was it against (be generic, no need to be harmful to someone else)?

Did fighting for this change you in any way?

Exploring Scripture

Read or summarize Genesis 32:[9-13] 22-30.

What stands out in the interaction between Jacob and this mysterious man that night?

Do you struggle with this interaction at all? In what ways, be honest?

Jacob doesn't recognize the man he is fighting is God until the very end. Does anything stand out about Jacob fighting a man he doesn't know and asking for blessing?

Some mention that Jacob is, in a way, fighting Esau again. Does this shed new light on the verse? In what ways?

Jacob's way of presenting himself to his brother is changing as this story continues. Instead of being the powerful ruler of his brother, he is offering himself as a servant. 

In this interaction, God is meeting Jacob as he (Jacob) is a man who fights for what he wants. Jacob's fighting might not be seen as good, but God meets him and speaks God's truth over Jacob, renaming and redeeming his name. 

Digging in

Who are you in your own eyes? Who do you think others see you as? 

Who do you think you are in God's eyes? Go beyond Christian, redeemed, saved, etc.. think about how you interact with God. How do you think God would rename you? 

Spend the remaining time of the group praying for each other, asking for God to help everyone in the group recognize God's name for each of them. Meet God in this moment with vulnerability and honesty. 

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Moses and God’s Name

October 1, 2023

Focus

Moses questions his ability to help save his people, and God uses Moses anyway, demonstrating God’s power through Moses. 

Function

We will embrace our role as God’s people, learning to trust the work God is doing through us. 

Big Picture Scripture: Exodus 1-3

Study Scripture: Exodus 1:8-14; 1:15—2:10; 3:1-15

Warm-up 

What are you good at (sports, puzzles, work, hobbies, etc.)? 

What are you terrible at? 

Do you ever feel out of your element when sharing the Gospel with others? 

Exploring Scripture

Read or summarize Exodus chapters 1 through 3. What stands out about the transition from the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus? 

Some interesting things may come up. There is a generation of Israel without any record of what God is doing with the Israelite people (we jump forward in the story). God isn’t as actively participating in this part of their history. 

What stands out about Moses surviving Pharaoh’s decree to kill Hebrew boys? 

His mother finds a loophole in the command and puts Moses in the river after putting him in a basket, and the Pharaoh’s daughter finds and keeps him. The word used for Basket is the same Hebrew word used for Ark in the story of Noah. While God hasn’t been mentioned, he seems to protect his people again by protecting Moses. 

In what ways does Moses’ murder of the Egyptian bother you? Are there any reasons that it doesn’t? Why? 

Answers may vary. Let this be open, but take some time to realize Moses is a human being who does something God wouldn’t want him to. The murder addresses an issue God is prepared to address if people invite God to handle it for them. 

What comes to mind as you see God interacting with Moses as a burning bush? 

God is illustrating his power in the bush burning and not being consumed. When God answers Moses’ question about who God is, he responds, “I am, who I am.” your bible might even have a footnote of alternate translations: “I am, what I am,” or “I will be, what I will be.” In this, we see God as the source of life and creation, so he is more extensive and not defined by our labels like we label ourselves and others. 

Digging In

How does God’s name impact our view of interacting with God and what God calls us to? 

How can we remind ourselves of God’s being beyond us and yet want to work in a relationship through us? 

What sorts of things are we, American Christians living in Madison, Indiana, called to? 

There may be very different perspectives on this question. As you discuss, remember to keep Christ as the center of the conversation and allow the tension to be explored together. Don’t become defensive; try to grasp where each other is coming from. Remember the five G’s we preached on in June (Go Godward, Go Towards, Get Curious, Go Deep, Get Right). If you have questions, please text our staff at (866) 511-9957. 

Close praying for each other and asking God to speak to us as he spoke to Moses, reminding us of His (God’s) presence, power, and will.