Hall of Faith - Jacob’s Dysfunctional Family

Missio Church - Bismarck

Verses Used:

• Genesis 25:19-24
• Genesis 18:13-15
• Genesis 32:22-31
• Hebrews 11:21

Takeaways:

Creation: Jacob’s Origin

• God had chosen Jacob to be the continuation of the promise to Abraham and Isaac
• Jacob swindled Esau out of his birthright for a bowl of soup.
• Instead of Esau having the first born birth rights, God told Rebekah that it would be reversed and that Jacob would have it.

Fall: The Deceiver

• Jacob’s name means deceiver
• He lied because he thought it gave him power or control over situations
• Jacob didn’t need to lie to deceive his father and get a blessing. God had already told his parents that the older would serve the younger

Redemption: Wrestling Match

• Jacob will no longer be called Trickster. Heel-Grabber. His new name is Israel.
• Esau and Jacob make amends and Esau doesn’t kill Jacob like he feared.

Restoration

• Jacob finished better than he started.
• How you finish is far more important than how you started.

Discussion Questions:

• Who were some of the people in Jacob's life that were hurt by the lies? How were they affected?
• Why does lying come so easily to us? Why is it harder to tell the truth or do the right thing?
• Why do you think God stopped Jacob from running away from Esau in the middle of the night?
• Why do you think an encounter with God could change our perspective?