Ep 205 | Wrestling with God | Jacob Part 2 of 3

Wrestling With God
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 205 | Wrestling with God | Jacob Part 2 of 3
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Ep 205 | Wrestling with God | Jacob Part 2 of 3

God created the world and everything that is in it – the heavens, the earth, and us, humanity. We have fallen from that perfect place and long to be back there. 

Scripture

Genesis 32:1-32

As Jacob started on his way again, angels of God came to meet him. When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed, “This is God’s camp!” So he named the place Mahanaim.

Then Jacob sent messengers ahead to his brother, Esau, who was living in the region of Seir in the land of Edom. He told them, “Give this message to my master Esau: ‘Humble greetings from your servant Jacob. Until now I have been living with Uncle Laban, and now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’”

After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. He thought, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.”

Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord , you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’ I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home and crossed the Jordan River, I owned nothing except a walking stick. Now my household fills two large camps! O Lord , please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. But you promised me, ‘I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore—too many to count.’”

Jacob stayed where he was for the night. Then he selected these gifts from his possessions to present to his brother, Esau: 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 ewes, 20 rams, 30 female camels with their young, 40 cows, 10 bulls, 20 female donkeys, and 10 male donkeys. He divided these animals into herds and assigned each to different servants. Then he told his servants, “Go ahead of me with the animals, but keep some distance between the herds.”

He gave these instructions to the men leading the first group: “When my brother, Esau, meets you, he will ask, ‘Whose servants are you? Where are you going? Who owns these animals?’ You must reply, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us.’”

Jacob gave the same instructions to the second and third herdsmen and to all who followed behind the herds: “You must say the same thing to Esau when you meet him. And be sure to say, ‘Look, your servant Jacob is right behind us.’”

Jacob thought, “I will try to appease him by sending gifts ahead of me. When I see him in person, perhaps he will be friendly to me.” So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp.

During the night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two servant wives, and his eleven sons and crossed the Jabbok River with them. After taking them to the other side, he sent over all his possessions.

This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break. When the man saw that he would not win the match, he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

“What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.”

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

“Please tell me your name,” Jacob said.

“Why do you want to know my name?” the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

Jacob named the place Peniel (which means “face of God”), for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.” The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of the injury to his hip. (Even today the people of Israel don’t eat the tendon near the hip socket because of what happened that night when the man strained the tendon of Jacob’s hip.)’

Questions

  1. How does our stress about the future reflect our trust in God? 
  2. How is God forcing you to be completely dependent upon him?
  3. Is there something God is starting to show you about your identity in him?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 205 | Trust Unites, Mistrust Divides | Jacob Part 1 of 3

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 205 | Trust Unites, Mistrust Divides | Jacob Part 1 of 3
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Ep 204 | Trust Unites, Mistrust Divides

Trust unites, but mistrust divides. Today’s story features Jacob and Laban and how their mistrust divided them.

Scripture

Genesis 31:3-7

‘Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.” So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock. He said to them, “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me has changed. But the God of my father has been with me. You know how hard I have worked for your father, but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm.’

Genesis 31:25-32

‘Laban caught up with Jacob as he was camped in the hill country of Gilead, and he set up his camp not far from Jacob’s. “What do you mean by deceiving me like this?” Laban demanded. “How dare you drag my daughters away like prisoners of war? Why did you slip away secretly? Why did you deceive me? And why didn’t you say you wanted to leave? I would have given you a farewell feast, with singing and music, accompanied by tambourines and harps. Why didn’t you let me kiss my daughters and grandchildren and tell them goodbye? You have acted very foolishly! I could destroy you, but the God of your father appeared to me last night and warned me, ‘Leave Jacob alone!’ I can understand your feeling that you must go, and your intense longing for your father’s home. But why have you stolen my gods?” 

“I rushed away because I was afraid,” Jacob answered. “I thought you would take your daughters from me by force. But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die! And if you find anything else that belongs to you, identify it before all these relatives of ours, and I will give it back!” But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the household idols.’

Questions

  1. Have you ever experienced division in your life? Did people separate peacefully with hostility? 
  2. Jacob was dealing with an unfair boss, Labon. Have you ever dealt with an unfair person in a position of authority (boss, teacher, parent)? Share your story, including any regrets and anything you handled well.
  3. How should have Jacob and Laban dealt with things differently to avoid such a big conflict?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 203 | Hope, Others, Encourage

Hope Others Encourage
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 203 | Hope, Others, Encourage
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Ep 203 | Hope, Others, Encourage

I can’t do life without hope, others and some encouragement. If we tried, things would get pretty dark, and we would become discouraged quickly.

Scripture

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Questions

  1. What routines or habits help you remember the hope Jesus offers each person?
  2. Are you meeting together with a Christian group? If not, what can you do about that? If so, what do you like, and what could you do to make it better? 
  3. How could you motivate and encourage those you meet with? Go and do it!
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 202 | Jesus Can Forgive You

Jesus Can Forgive You
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 202 | Jesus Can Forgive You
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Ep 202 | Jesus Can Forgive You

We will look at two big questions; why can Jesus forgive sins, and where do our moral standards come from? Our sense of right and wrong.

Scripture

Genesis 1:26-31

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

Mark 2:1-12

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

Philippians 2:7 

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,

John 3:34 

For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.

Questions

  1. When did you first decide to follow Jesus? What/ who helped you make that decision?
  2. What makes you proud about your relationship with God? 
  3. If we are created to steward or care for the world and everything in it well, how could you (or all of us) do that better?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 201 | The Myth About Heaven and Hell

The Truth About Heaven and Hell
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 201 | The Myth About Heaven and Hell
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Ep 201 | The Myth About Heaven and Hell

Many people believe the myth that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. Tune in to learn what scripture teaches.

Scripture

‘For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ‘ Romans 3:23

‘I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. ‘ Romans 7:21

‘God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ‘ Ephesians 2:8-9

Questions

  1. Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe Jesus is God?
  2. Why do you want to be forgiven by God?
  3. Who else needs to hear this message?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 200 | Love

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 200 | Love
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Ep 200 | Love

We unpack three points, love is an action, those actions will show that we belong to the truth, and God is greater than our feelings!

Scripture

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:18-20

Questions

  1. List 3, out of the ordinary acts of love you can do today. 
  2. What do you feel guilty about? Even though it is hard, tell your friends and God. Ask God for forgiveness; you will find freedom from your guilt.
  3. How does loving people through actions shape you?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 199 | Hope

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 199 | Hope
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Ep 199 | Hope

Do you know what comes out of hope? Joy and peace come when we practice hope. And, when we practice hope, it becomes a confident hope!

Scripture

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Questions

  1. What are you experiencing that is hard?
  2. Amid this challenge, what are you hopeful for? 
  3. Who can remind you of this hope?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 198 | Welcome Back

Bible Story Podcast
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 198 | Welcome Back
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Ep 198 | Welcome Back

Welcome Back! We hope you had an incredible summer with God! Today, we give three ways to guard from wandering away from God.

Scripture

Hebrews 10:23-25

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Questions

  1. There are a lot of distractions in life how can you keep your focus on the hope we have in Jesus?
  2. Christian Friends are super important to our faith. When and where could you get together with others?
  3. What is an act of love you can do tomorrow for your community, neighbours, or church?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 197 | Intentional Deep Connection | A Fallen World Part 4 of 4

Intentional Deep Connection
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 197 | Intentional Deep Connection | A Fallen World Part 4 of 4
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Ep 197 | Intentional Deep Connection | A Fallen World Part 4 of 4

The Bible doesn’t tell us what to do with social media, but it does teach us to love God and others with an intentional deep connection.

Scripture

Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Matthew 18:19-20

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Questions

  1. What makes you feel connected to someone else? 
  2. Describe a time when you have felt personally connected to God. 
  3. How could you connect with God and others more intentionally this week?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.

Ep 196 | What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? | A Fallen World Part 3 of 4

What do you want to be?
Bible Story Podcast
Ep 196 | What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? | A Fallen World Part 3 of 4
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Ep 196 | What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? | A Fallen World Part 3 of 4

Growing up is daunting, but no matter where you work, study, or live, you can share God’s love with those around you.

Scripture

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. https://my.bible.com/bible/116/COL.3.16-17

Questions

  1. Why can the calling of God feel heavy?
  2. What other ways do you think God calls us to act?
  3. How can you discern or know if God has called you to something specific?
Prayer Requests

At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.