On your own or with your life group work through this reading plan to apply this weekend’s message to your life. If you haven’t done so yet, listen or watch the Sunday message below.

OPENING 
Opening Prayer- Invite someone to open in prayer, asking God to guide your discussion and reveal areas where He wants to work in each person's life.
Icebreaker Question: Share about a time when you had to trust someone or something you couldn't see or fully understand. What made that difficult or easy?

KEY SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 5:7 - "For we walk by faith and not by sight."
Definition of Faith: Inward confidence, conviction, assurance, trust, and reliance in God and all that He says.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Understanding Jacob's Brokenness
Read Genesis 25:24-28

1. Jacob's name literally means "deceiver" or "supplanter" (one who takes the place of someone else, usually on purpose). How do you think growing up with this identity shaped Jacob's character and choices?
2. The Scripture mentions two key moments of Jacob's deception:
3. 
   
   • Exploiting Esau's weakness to take his birthright
   • Deceiving Isaac to receive Esau's blessing
4. Why do you think Jacob felt the need to manipulate situations rather than trust God's plan for his life?
5. What patterns of brokenness or dysfunction do you see in Jacob's family? How do family dynamics sometimes contribute to our own brokenness?

The "If" Moments in Jacob's Life
Read Genesis 28:10-22

4. Jacob encounters God at Bethel during a vulnerable moment while fleeing from Esau. God makes incredible promises to Jacob in verses 13-15. What does this tell us about when and how God meets us?
5. Jacob's response in verses 20-22 begins with "If God will be with me...then the Lord shall be my God." What does this conditional faith reveal about where Jacob was spiritually at this point?
6. Have you ever found yourself making "if/then" deals with God? What was happening in your life at that time? How did God respond?

Read Genesis 32:24-32

7. Years later, Jacob wrestles with God the night before meeting Esau again. What do you think Jacob was wrestling with internally during this encounter?
8. God makes Jacob confront himself and declare his need for God. Why is it significant that God touched Jacob's hip, leaving him with a permanent limp?
9. Jacob receives a new name—Israel—after this encounter. Israel means “Prince with God, He strives with God or May God Persevere.”  What does this name change represent about his transformation?

From Conditional to Confident Faith
Read Genesis 35:9-15

10. By Genesis 35, God renews His promise and Jacob believes. What changed between the "if" faith of Genesis 28 and the confident faith of Genesis 35?
11. The series theme is "Broken People, Famous Faith." How does Jacob's story demonstrate that God can use broken people for His purposes?
12. What does Jacob's journey teach us about the process of spiritual transformation? Is it instant or gradual?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. God meets us in our brokenness - He doesn't wait for us to get it all together before He reveals Himself to us.
2. Faith is a journey, not a destination - Jacob moved from conditional faith ("if...then") to confident faith over many years.
3. God transforms our identity - Just as Jacob became Israel, God wants to transform who we are at our core.
4. Surrender precedes blessing - Jacob had to wrestle with God and surrender before receiving his full blessing.
5. Our limp is our testimony - The scars from our encounters with God remind us of His faithfulness and our dependence on Him.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION (15 minutes)
Personal Reflection Questions:

1. Identify your "Jacob moments": Where are you currently trying to manipulate circumstances rather than trusting God?
2. Examine your faith: Is your relationship with God conditional ("if...then") or confident? What would it take to move toward deeper trust?
3. Name your brokenness: What area of brokenness is God asking you to surrender to Him today?

Next Step Challenge: What do I need to surrender to God today?

PRAYER

• Thank God for meeting us in our brokenness
• Ask for courage to surrender areas of control
• Pray for faith to trust God's promises even when we can't see the outcome
• Request transformation from conditional to confident faith

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Memorize 2 Corinthians 5:7: "For we walk by faith and not by sight."

LEADER NOTES

• Be sensitive to group members who may be wrestling with significant brokenness or past deception.
• Create a safe space where people feel comfortable being honest about their struggles.
• Emphasize God's grace and transformation, not shame or condemnation.
• Be prepared to share your own "Jacob moments".