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Read it

Genesis 32: 27-29

“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he answered. The man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have struggled with God and with men, and you have won; so your name will be Israel.”

Quiz it

  • Ask an adult why you were given your name? What does it mean?

The name Jacob means “trickster”.

  • Why was his brother Esau so mad with him?

Fast forward 20 years and Jacob is returning home and is about to meet Esau for the first time since he tricked him and ran away.

  • How do you think Jacob was feeling that night?
  • What sort of challenges make us feel nervous or afraid?

Multiple choice:

What did Jacob and the mysterious stranger spend the whole night doing?

a. Star-gazing

b. Toasting marshmallows

c. Wrestling

Jacob would not let the stranger go until he had given him something.

  • What did Jacob want?
  • Who was the stranger?

God had appeared to Jacob and blessed him.

  • What else did God do for Jacob? (32v.28)

(By the way – From now on Israel refers to the descendants of Abraham who will soon become a great nation.)

Jacob limped off the next day knowing God would be with him.

  • How did this change the way Jacob felt about the challenge of meeting Esau?

Close your eyes and think about a challenge you are facing. We are now going to bring it to God in prayer.

Pray it

Dear Father,

You know the situation I am thinking about and my fears. Come and be with me. Help me to have confidence to take on every challenge.

Amen

Do it

Next time you feel afraid tell yourself, “God is with me. We can do this!”

Place it

Finally - have a look at the back of your card. What does it say? You can now place your card onto your story line.