Wrestling with God helps us know Him and be changed by Him.
SCRIPTURE | Genesis 32–35
CENTRAL TRUTH
God is kind to restore all of us when we wrestle with Him spiritually about our lives, our identity, our choices, and our sins. God draws us to repentance and answers our cries for salvation, giving us new names as His sons and daughters.
Key question
What does Jacob receiving a new identity reveal about God’s character?
Keep in Mind
Students may wonder if they can ever truly change. Maybe they’ve tried many times and failed. They may have tried to walk away from certain sins and addictions or tried to truly forgive someone. Maybe they’ve tried to stop worry from dominating their thoughts. Maybe they’ve tried to live with more joy and gratitude. Maybe they’ve tried to be kinder to family, but it didn’t last. We can’t manufacture change; God is the only One who has the power to transform us into something better. We need Him to continue changing us too. Sometimes, change isn’t instant but progressive and continuous, and we can help students celebrate small victories along the way. God shows us grace when we mess up, and He works the change in us as we continue to walk with Him.
APPLICATION
Why is it healthy to spiritually wrestle with God? In what area of your life are you wrestling with God?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: Wrestling doesn’t equal doubt: it’s a healthy way to ask questions and search for God’s answers. Wrestling can look like taking questions to God in prayer, searching God’s Word, and even waiting until God reveals truth through the Holy Spirit (which will always align with what He has already revealed in Scripture). Students may wrestle with who they want to be, past mistakes, relationships, or whether or not their actions are sinful. It’s okay to approach God and ask Him to show us the truth and to keep digging to discover the truth as we follow Him.
FOR THE LEADER: We often don’t know where we stand on certain issues until we’ve wrestled with them. Spiritually, wrestling is important because it helps us truly know God’s character and Word. Even as leaders, we are invited to continue wrestling and sharing our struggles with others.
