GOD MUST SAVE US FROM OUR SELF-SUFFICIENCY SO WE ARE FREE TO FULLY EXPERIENCE THE BLESSINGS OF GOD. (Genesis 32:22-32)
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SERMON NOTES:
Saved from Self-Sufficiency
Genesis 32:22-32
God must save us from our self-sufficiency so we are free to fully experience the blessings of God.
Jacob continues to struggle with fear. (22-24a)
God breaks Jacob of his self-sufficiency.(24b-27)
God gives Jacob a new name. (28)
Jacob sees the power of God. (29-32)
study questions:
For the Next Lesson – Genesis 32:22-32
1. Read verses 22-23. When verse 22 says “the same night”, what had happened earlier that day (see verses 32:1-21)? Where is the Jabbok River, and where is this in relation to the Promised Land? How long had it been since Jacob had been in this area?
2. Read verses 24-26. What is your first impression of this account that a man appeared out of nowhere to wrestle Jacob? What does the man’s ability to touch Jacob’s socket and make it come out of joint tell us about this unknown man? Why do you think Jacob asked for the man’s blessing? How do you think Jacob was feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually at this moment?
3. Read verses 27-29. As you consider the meaning of the name Jacob (see Genesis 27:36), why do you think the man asked for Jacob’s name? Why do you think this man would give Jacob a new name, and by what authority could this man rename Jacob? What does Jacob’s new name “Israel” mean? What is the “blessing” that Jacob received here?
4. Read verses 30-32. What is the identity of the man in this passage who wrestled with Jacob? Try to support your answer with evidence from this entire passage. How has Jacob’s life has been “delivered” as it says in verse 30?
5. So what. Jacob’s encounter with God illustrates our own relationship with and walk with God. Consider these questions:
a. How have you wrestled with God in your life, and how has it turned out? What have you learned about God and yourself?
b. When was a time in your life that God figurately crippled you and brought you to a low place so He could bless you?
c. Just as Jacob received a new name, we have received a new identity as Christians. How do you live or fail to live-out your identity as a new creation in Christ? Is your life marked by surrender to the authority of God?
d. Has your life been “delivered”? How so, and do you live in grate-fulness for this deliverance?