Wrestling with God

Wrestling with God

Discussion Questions

1.        Read the story of Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32:24-32.  What are some observations Pastor Jim made that serve as new insights for you into the story?

2.        Read Genesis 28:13-15.  Before Jacob’s encounter with his brother Esau, God had come to him in a dream and shared with hm several specific promises.  What were they?  Why should Jacob’s faith have been soaring after this encounter?  Why wasn’t it?  What promises of God impact your life most significantly when you are facing difficult circumstances?

3.       Read Genesis 32:25. The text from multiple versions says that God could not defeat…could not prevail…could not overpower…could not win in his wrestling match against Jacob.  What kind of fight could an all-powerful God be in with a human being that he might not prevail?  What are your thoughts about this?

4.       Read Genesis 32:26. Jacob is no longer fighting against God but is still holding on for dear life.  Why?

5.       Read Genesis 32:27-28.  What is the significance of Jacob’s name being changed to Israel? 

6.       Pastor Jim spoke specifically of 2 conditions that give evidence that a person has not surrendered their will to Christ. 

First, that person, through their own sin has dug a pit for themselves.

Second, the Christian is living a lukewarm life.

Which do you think disgusts God more and why?  What are possible conditions of someone living a lukewarm life?  How would you describe your current Christian walk with God?

7.        Read Genesis 32:29. After Jacob was broken by God’s touch, he asked God, ‘Please tell me your name.’  What is the significance of him asking this question?

8.       Read the following quote out loud.   “Be careful of religious cliches because some of them are not theologically accurate, like, ‘God will never put more on you than you are able to bear.’  WRONG.  That’s the sweet God.  But the real God will load on you and load on you and load on you until your strength and self-will are broken and you begin to cry out to God and declare I can’t handle this by myself.  I can’t get out of this by myself.  God, I need you more than anything or anyone in life.”  Do you agree or disagree?  Explain.  Speak to a time you experienced this.

9.        Is there an area of your life that is currently not surrendered to God?  Explain.  Is there a step God is wanting you to take regarding this?