The Story Begins: The God Who Gives New Names

The Story Begins: The God Who Gives New Names

Genesis 32:22-32

I. Jacob’s old name reflected his flawed character.

Genesis 32:24-27 

II. Jacob’s new name reflects the grace God showed him.

Genesis  32:28-32 

 1. God brings us to crisis points where our self-sufficiency is shattered.

~We must recognize our condition.

2. Until we are broken by God, we can never be greatly used by God.

3. Gratitude is in hindsight.

III. Jacob’s new name reminds him of the task God gave him.

Genesis 35:9-15

IV. Our new identity

1. From an enemy to family

Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 2:19

2. Delivered from darkness, and belongs to kingdom of light

Colossians 1:13

3. Old self passes away, and the new self is becoming more like Christ

2 Corinthians 5:17

 “It often takes an experience of crippling weakness for us to finally discover [God’s blessing]. That is why so many of the most God-blessed people limp as they dance for joy.” Tim Keller

“God is the God of human history, and He is at work continuously, mysteriously, accomplishing His eternal purposes in us, through us, for us, and in spite of us.” Elizabeth Elliot

 BLESSING                                     

NEW IDENTITY                             

RESPONSIBILITY

 Faith Sheet

Series Memory Verse -Genesis 1:26-27 - “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”    

Monthly Verse - Genesis 22:18 - “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Weekly Verse – Psalm 12:6 - “The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.”

 Reviewing This Past Sunday

The Story Begins: The God that Gives You New Names

Genesis 32: 22-32

1. What is the history behind your name, and what does your name mean?

2. Have you ever wanted to be someone else, to have a fresh start, or to receive a new reputation? How do you go about accomplishing that?

3. In what ways do our past mistakes haunt and define us?              

4. Why is it difficult for us and for others to forget them?

5. How have your sinful or foolish decisions hindered you in your service to the Lord recently or in the past?

6. How is God’s “renaming” us similar to or different than trying to change our reputation?

7. What difficult circumstances in your life has God used to lead you to repentance and deeper faith?

8. How do God’s blessings set us up to serve on mission with Him?

 Preparing for Next Sunday

The Story Begins: The God Whose Plan Involves Suffering

Genesis 37: 1-36

 1. Read the passage and ask the Lord to reveal Himself and His truth. (Genesis 37:1-36)

2. HIGHLIGHT a verse or truth that stands out to you and write it out.

3. EXPLAIN the text in your own words to make sure you see the big picture of God’s Story. (Who wrote it and why was it written? To whom it was written? What is the context? How does the text point to the Father, Son or Spirit? What is the text telling us about our new identity as believers in Christ or what we are to be doing?)

4. APPLY a truth from the text to your own life. (Focus on what God is saying to you and what is your act of obedience, confession, praise, going forward, giving thanks, etc.)

5. RESPOND in prayer and go apply what God reveals to you from the Scriptures.