Connect
What if your favorite Bible story? Why?
Where are you in the birth order (First; Middle; Last; Only Child)? How is that impacting your behavior?
Discuss
Genesis 25:28 tells us that Isaac loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. How have you seen favoritism play out in real life?
Genesis 32:22-32 talks about how Jacob wrestled with God all night long. Have you ever spent a long time wrestling with God about something? If you're comfortable, share it with your group.
Jacob and Esau eventually repaired their broken relationship. What relationship might God be calling you to take steps in repairing?
Which brother do you relate to the most? Why?
This week, what do you need to be reminded of when it comes to how God sees you?
Action Steps
Being reminded of how much God loves you and how much he cares for you might be leading you to surrender every part of your life to him. It might be leading you to baptism. Pay attention to those two things as this week goes on.
Prayer
Loving Father, your word tells us you don't show favoritism and yet sometimes it feels as though we can never get it right. We don't deserve your love and grace and forgiveness, yet you give it to us just the same. Help us to get to a place where we can simply accept this as the gift that you intended it to be. Help us to examine our hearts and turn over any parts that we've kept from you. And help us to rest in your peace, even when things feel chaotic and out of control, let us remember that you are in control and that you care so much that you're not leaving us. You're here, with us now. We rest in you today. Amen.