Describe a time when a friend posted a totally embarrassing, unflattering picture of you online.
What did you look like?
What were you doing?
How mad were you?
How did you get revenge?
Jacob knew about embarrassing life pictures.
Read Gen. 25:24-28
Back then Jacob meant liar. (Thanks, mom and Dad). Secondly, according to verse 28, what is Jacob’s relationship with his dad?
Have you ever felt like one of your parents/ step parents loved your siblings more than you? How?
Read Genesis 27:5-25; 41-42
Living up to his name, Jacob put on disgusting goat fur (pretty picture) to steal his brother’s blessing. (In that culture, the father gave a permanent blessing on the firstborn son that could not be revoked.) Name a time you did something you’re not proud of to get what you wanted?
Jacob’s lying didn’t earn his father’s love – only more disappointment. Instead, he had to run for his life. For the next several years, Jacob lived in fear that his brother would kill him. Finally Esau found him. The night before their confrontation, Jacob was terrified and sent his family away so he could be alone with God.
Read Gen. 32: 22-30
When Jacob wrestled with God, he wrestled with who he had been all his life– his whole identity, his whole fake image, living in fear, fighting with his brother, stealing, and lying. God took his past away and transformed his future.
What happened when Jacob encountered God?
Basically, everything about his life was different.
After meeting with God, Jacob was not the same person he was before. What about you? How do you need to change after meeting with God this week?
No matter where you are spiritually, God wants to take you deeper with him. He wants to make you a strong follower of Christ.
Attention former campers: Don’t let this year be a repeat of last year. You can’t depend on a worship band, speaker, small group, or seminar leader to replace your relationship with God. Those are great tools, but it’s up to you and only you to get the most out of this week. No one will meet with God for you.
Prayer a one sentence prayer, declaring that you will seek God with all your heart this week.
Extra, Extra!
If you have time, read Gen 33:1-4 to see what happens when Esau finally catches up to Jacob.