The Promise
Jacob to Israel
Our journey together this year is exploring God’s Big Story in the Old Testament! Last unit, we looked at the Beginning stories in the first part of Genesis, now we are headed to the second part of Genesis where we learn about some of the first leaders and families in the Bible.
It is encouraged that families watch the videos, read the texts, reflect on the summaries, respond to the questions and pray together. However, Club 56 participants can also do this on their own- you might need a journal for journaling some thoughts!
Connect Video
Get a taste of this week’s theme by watching this video!
Connect is a curriculum from SPARK that is specifically designed for 5th and 6th graders.
Read, Reflect & Respond
Take some time to dig in deep to the Bible!
Need a Bible? Contact Leah M!
Read the Text: Genesis 32:22-31
As you read, write an exclamation point by the action words. Then draw yourself wrestling with God.
Reflect on the Summary:
“Who has not struggled with faith? Who has never wrestled with God? Certainly Jacob has. As he prepared to face the consequences of his past deceits, Jacob was acutely aware of his shameful actions. Jacob struggled with God, but instead of punishment, God responded with a blessing.
Two decades passed after Jacob tricked his father into giving him his older twin brother, Esau’s, blessing. As Jacob prepared to meet Esau for the first time in 20 years, Jacob feared for the lives of his wives, children, and most of all, himself. Jacob was traveling with his family, servants, and hundreds of livestock. He decided to divide his camp into two groups and send them ahead as gifts, scouts, or perhaps decoys. Left alone with only his thoughts, Jacob found himself wrestling through the night with God. Jacob’s hip was knocked out of joint, a physical reminder of wrestling with God. As they struggled through the night, God commanded Jacob to release him. Jacob refused to let go until he received a blessing. God granted Jacob both a blessing and a new name: Israel, which means, “one who struggles with God.” No one encounters God without being changed.”
Respond to the Questions:
- If you were Esau, how would you have felt about Jacob many years after being cheated by him?
- What do you make of this strange story of Jacob wrestling with God?
- What do you wrestle with God about in your mind?
Want to explore more texts? Pick one (or both) of the texts below!
Read the Text #2: Matthew 26:36-46
After you read, draw crutches (as best as you can) by the prayers Jesus prays. This is our symbol for “wrestling with God” and remembering that everyone goes through hardship, feels sad or agitated but God is always there!
Reflect on the Summary:
“The prayer in the garden at Gethsemane was an emotional encounter as Jesus wrestled with his calling. Jesus praying in the Gethsemane garden is a profound example of what it looks like to wrestle faithfully with God. Jesus knew what awaited him. His friends would betray and abandon him. The very people to whom he offered life and salvation would arrest him unfairly. He would be mercilessly executed on the cross. Jesus was not afraid to express his deep anguish to God.”
Respond to the Questions:
- What makes you feel grieved, agitated, or deeply sad?
- How do you cope? Who/what do you lean on?
- How do you feel about Jesus being bothered by facing his death?
Read the Text #3: Luke 18:9-14
After you read, write “God Provides” by this passage to remember that God continues to love and provide for us even if we doubt what God is asking us to do.
Reflect on the Summary:
“Elijah also wrestled with his calling from God. God gave Elijah the awful task of telling King Ahab and his wife Jezebel to change their ways. Elijah had good reason to be scared of King Ahab as his wife, Jezebel, had a nasty habit of killing God’s prophets. Elijah fulfilled his duty then fled in fear. Elijah wrestled with his role as God’s messenger and told God he just wanted to die. But God provided for Elijah to sustain him on his journey.”
Respond to the Questions:
- How would you respond to having Elijah’s job?
- What, if anything, can you imagine is not okay to bring to God?
- God brought cake to Elijah! What gifts has God given you to help you through the tough stuff?
Remember (Club 56 Binder)
Our Club 56 Binders are for taking notes and helping us remember details in God’s Big Story!
Need a binder? Contact Leah M.
Get out your Club 56 Binder and find the green page with the crutch (labeled Jacob to Israel). Find the paragraph about why we are using a crutch as a symbol to remember this story and read about it!
On or around the crutch, write important key words, people, events or notes that you want to remember about the Jacob to Israel story.
Need help? Revisit the texts we explored today or read the paragraph at the bottom of the paper.
Activity
Get out your paper bags that have your name on it! These paper bags should have been given to you with your Club 56 supplies. In the paper bag it should have a candle, batteries and a little bag of craft supplies.
Leah’s explains the activity and why we are doing it in the video below.
Prayer
“God of Promise,
Thank you for never giving up on us, even when we doubt you. Help us to turn to you more and teach us to trust you. Please wrap your love around those who are sick, lonely and in need of comfort. We love you, God!
In your name,
Amen”
Quoted texts are revised from:
Connect Leader Guide. Unit 1—The Promise: Jacob to Israel. wearesparkhouse.org © 2013 sparkhouse. All rights reserved.
May be reproduced for local use only provided each copy carries this notice.