The Way of Wisdom - Discussion 7

In Pursuit of God's Supernatural Wisdom
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Jacob

Familiarity and Selflessness

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read: Genesis 32:6-12, 33:1-9. 

  1. One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.
  2. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

  1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
  2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

📚Knowledge, 💡Understanding and ⚡️Wisdom

When Jacob and Esau where young, Jacob tricked their father into giving Esau’s blessing as first born to Jacob.

  1. 📚Did Jacob (and his family) have reason to fear Esau?
  2. 📚Who was the older brother, Jacob or Esau?
  3. 💡The first born was to receive the families wealth, and be responsible for the family.  If Jacob was coming back from being away, did he fulfill the responsibility of the birthright he had stolen?
  4. 💡If Esau had lost the birth right was he able to fulfill the responsibility of the birthright?

What was Jacob’s First Plan? (Genesis 32:7-8)

  1. 📚What was the basic idea behind Jacob’s first plan to secure his family?
  2. 📚Who was in control of the success of Jacob’s first plan?
  3. 💡What kind of wisdom devises Jacob’s first plan?
  4. 💡In Jacob’s first plan whose needs was Jacob thinking of and how did that inform his plan?
  5. ⚡️What kind of wisdom comes from knowing your own interests and understanding your own wants and needs?

What was Jacob’s Second Plan? (Genesis 33:2-3)

  1. 📚What did Jacob pray? 
  2. 📚How did Jacob’s plan change?
  3. 📚What was the basic idea behind Jacob’s new plan?
  4. 📚Who was in control of the success of Jacob’s new plan?
  5. 💡In Jacob’s final plan whose needs was Jacob thinking of and how did that inform his plan?
  6. ⚡️What kind of wisdom comes from being selfless and knowing and understanding others?

Would you have been afraid of Esau if you were part of Jacob’s family?

  1. 📚Do you think the first plan would have worked?
  2. 📚In what ways could the first plan have failed?
  3. 💡How did knowing and understanding his brother help Jacob with his new plan?

For Jacob and Esau, what is the responsibility of the oldest to the family?

  1. 📚What would have been Esau’s biggest hurt?
  2. 💡When Jacob gave Esau everything, how did Jacob’s actions provide healing for Esau?
  3. 💡When Jacob gave everything to Esau what did Esau do?
  4. ⚡️Could Jacob’s new plan have failed?

This week, how can we identify when we are making plans around our own wants (envy) and not around a selfless attitude that is familiar with the hurting of others?

Next Week…

Elijah and Elisha Seeing Beyond the Known 2 Kings 2:1-18