Genesis: Week 50
Sunday, July 13, 2025
Read aloud Genesis 32:22-32. Pray together.
Genesis 32:22-32
LAUNCHING QUESTION
After gathering together on Sunday morning (through sharing life together, praying together, worshipping in song together, witnessing baptisms together, listening to the message together, responding to the message together, receiving Pastor Bill’s benediction together, etc.), in what ways were we helped to wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ by knowing Him and making Him known? How can the main idea of the message help equip us to help others?
Main Idea: Sometimes the blessing comes during our wrestling with God.
Three Questions - From Genesis 32:22-32
What does this passage teach us historically?
The setting in which we find ourselves in 32:22-32 is Jacob’s mysterious wrestling match with “a man” who seemed to appear out of nowhere.
What were some of the implications Pastor J. saw in the sentence, “And Jacob was left alone.”(v.24)? Putting it in your own terms, what are a couple of synonyms for or other ways to say “left alone”? How do these descriptions capture the mood of the setting?
This wrestling match went on for some time (v.24). How does the duration of the match help show Jacob’s determination or desperation? What was Jacob so determined to get?
In what ways might the description “the breaking of the day” found in vv. 24, 26, and 31 help us with the interpretation of the passage? (Think about how Pastor J. ended the message on Jesus Christ. In addition, see Lam. 3:23; Mk. 16:2; Rom. 13:12.)
What might God be up to as He waits to wrestle with Jacob until the very night before Jacob meets back up with Esau?
In verse 25, Pastor J. talks about God’s attributes. How does this verse communicate something about God? How does verse 26 communicate something about Jacob?
What is the LORD getting Jacob to do when He asks him “what is your name”?
In verse 28, we find an amazing outcome to the wrestling match. What does the Lord do to Jacab? How does this change in name communicate something of the blessing?
In verse 30, we come to a place called “Peniel”. What is the significance of the name?
In verses 31-32 we come to the result of the wrestling match lasting approximately 11 hours and 40 minutes (just kidding. But it was, nevertheless, a loooong wrestling match). Here we come to a wound to the hip of Jacob. What are some insights and implications Pastor J. teased out when discussing this wound? Why did God, in other words, touch “the hip”? Where do these in-depth insights lead us as we think carefully over discipleship and discipline of the Lord?
What does this passage teach us theologically?
God is faithful in blessing His people even when He wrestles with them.
What impact might this principle have on our walk of faith?
How could this principle shape our prayers for each other in times of difficulty or distress? What promises from Scripture come to mind when we think about God and our suffering? (You may profit from reading Hebrews 12:1-13 either together or in your spare time.)
What does this passage teach us practically?
God may make you alone so that He can show you He’s near.
Discuss among yourselves insights and applications you took from this principle.
God may make you weak so that you have His strength.
Discuss among yourselves insights and applications you took from this principle.
God may expose the old you so He can make you a new you.
Discuss among yourselves insights and applications you took from this principle.
Sunday was a tender time in the Spirit. TAKE TIME TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHER AFTER YOUR VULNERABLE SHARING TIME TOGETHER.