The Third Week of October

Genesis 32:22-31

22 Jacob got up during the night, took his two wives, his two women servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed the Jabbok River’s shallow water. 23 He took them and everything that belonged to him, and he helped them cross the river. 24 But Jacob stayed apart by himself, and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke. 25 When the man saw that he couldn’t defeat Jacob, he grabbed Jacob’s thigh and tore a muscle in Jacob’s thigh as he wrestled with him. 26 The man said, “Let me go because the dawn is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”

27 He said to Jacob, “What’s your name?” and he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name won’t be Jacob any longer, but Israel, because you struggled with God and with men and won.”

29 Jacob also asked and said, “Tell me your name.” But he said, “Why do you ask for my name?” and he blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel, “because I’ve seen God face-to-face, and my life has been saved.” 31 The sun rose as Jacob passed Penuel, limping because of his thigh.

Psalm 121

1 I raise my eyes toward the mountains.

    Where will my help come from?

2 

My help comes from the Lord,

    the maker of heaven and earth.

3 

God won’t let your foot slip.

    Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.

4 

No! Israel’s protector

    never sleeps or rests!

5 

The Lord is your protector;

    the Lord is your shade right beside you.

6 

The sun won’t strike you during the day;

    neither will the moon at night.

7 

The Lord will protect you from all evil;

    God will protect your very life.

8 

The Lord will protect you on your journeys—

    whether going or coming—

    from now until forever from now.

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

3:14 But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing. You know who taught you. 15 Since childhood you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. 16 Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character, 17 so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.

4:1 I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom. 2 Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction. 3 There will come a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. They will collect teachers who say what they want to hear because they are self-centered. 4 They will turn their back on the truth and turn to myths. 5 But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances. Endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the good news, and carry out your service fully.

Luke 18:1-8

1 Jesus was telling them a parable about their need to pray continuously and not to be discouraged. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him, asking, ‘Give me justice in this case against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused but finally said to himself, I don’t fear God or respect people, 5 but I will give this widow justice because she keeps bothering me. Otherwise, there will be no end to her coming here and embarrassing me.” 6 The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Won’t God provide justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he be slow to help them? 8 I tell you, he will give them justice quickly. But when the Human One comes, will he find faithfulness on earth?”

We read…

Have you ever needed help before? It’s kind of a silly question, because of course the answer is yes. Maybe you have needed help tying your shoes before you learned how to do it on your own, maybe you have needed help figuring out the answer to a tough homework question, maybe you have needed help in the form of advice. There are so many moments and ways that we need help in our lives - and that’s okay! We haven’t been created to do this life all on our own. This week’s passages talk about a variety of ways that God helps us.

The psalmist reminds us that God is our protector, and we can look to God when we need help. In 2 Timothy we see this idea of Scripture as our helper, teaching us and pointing us to God. Luke tells us that we believe that God is just and will bring God’s justice to the world - helping those who have been oppressed and pushed down. God is with us and cares for us! God helps us when we need it! It seems like these passages are all a great reminder of God’s help, but how does Genesis 32 fit into this theme?

Jacob wrestles with a man all night, and he even walks away with a limp after this encounter. How is God helping him here? We’ll explore this idea more later on, but it’s important to see that God’s help can come in many forms. Sometimes we need a gentle guiding hand, but sometimes we need people to journey with us through the hard moments. Sometimes we need people who will wrestle with us and not give up. God helps Jacob to see God in a new way, and to remember that God is on this walk with Jacob. He isn’t alone, he hasn’t been abandoned, but he also needs to make sure he’s heading down the right path.

We think…

• What stands out to you in these verses?

• Does anything confuse you or not make sense?
  

• How do these verses compare to your own experience in life or in the church?
  

• What are you considering?
  

• What questions come to mind?
  

• Why did Jacob name the place where he wrestled with God?
  

• What does it mean for God to be our protector?
  

• How does Scripture equip us?
  

• Why do you think the judge finally gave into the woman in Luke 18?

We feel…

• What emotions are you experiencing today? How are you making space for these feelings?
  

• Where have you seen God today or this week?

• What is pointing you to God (maybe it is something in creation, maybe a friend or adult that cares for you)?
  

• What has God made new in your life? In your heart? 
  

• Have you ever felt like you have wrestled with God?
  

• While the judge in Luke 18 was unfair and unjust, we know that God is the opposite. How does this make you feel? Does this change how we think about God?

We believe…

Have you ever felt like you can’t ask God a question? Or maybe that you can’t share any doubts you have? We believe that God is big enough to handle our questions, doubts, frustrations - God can handle it all. We could even go as far as saying that God welcomes those things when we bring them to God in an open and honest way. God isn’t afraid of our wonderings or the questions we might have. God isn’t afraid to wrestle with us. We don’t have to put on a happy face and pretend like everything is okay when we’re talking with God. We can be real, we can be truthful, and God will meet us where we’re at, just like God met with Jacob.

We practice…

Have you ever walked through a stream or maybe on rocks that are near water? The shoes you’re wearing can make a big difference as you’re trying to get through. Good, sturdy shoes will help you to avoid slipping and falling into the water or onto the rocks around you. Psalm 121 tells us that God is our protector, God won’t let our foot slip, and God is with us on our journeys. Take time this week to take a walk outside if you’re able. Maybe find a spot near water if there is one nearby and reflect on how God has kept your feet from slipping. As you walk out, remember how God has been with you in the past. As you turn around or head back to where you started, reflect on the promise God has made to be with you in the future.