Jealousy and pride lead us to make selfish decisions.
SCRIPTURE | Genesis 25–28
CENTRAL TRUTH
When we release control and stop manipulating situations, we experience God’s faithfulness and witness His perfect sovereignty.
Key question
When have you been like Jacob—willing to justify sin and deception to get what you want instead of letting God work?
Keep in Mind
Students may wonder if lying is really that big of a deal. Our culture downplays the seriousness of lying. In fact, it sometimes celebrates doing whatever it takes to get what we want out of life. It teaches us to categorize lies into big ones and small ones. It tells us that lies are harmless if they don’t affect others. But Scripture shows us a very different picture: It presents us with many situations in which a lie always affects more people than the liar intends. The lie reaches into future generations, causing division and bitterness; and it divides families and kingdoms. Here’s the truth about lies, big or small: They typically stem from a lack of faith or an unrepentant heart. We tell lies and deceive people because we think there’s no other way to make something happen. We speak untruth as a way to escape consequences, failing to realize that a lie only leads to more of them.
APPLICATION
How can you practice faith instead of taking matters into your own hands?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: When we allow jealousy, pride, or doubt to take root, it leads us to sin. And often, it leads us to deceive others to get what we want. This can look like bragging and puffing ourselves up to receive accolades we don’t deserve. It can even look like exaggerating a situation to gain support or sympathy. But the truth is this: we really can trust God to do what He says instead of grabbing for control.
FOR THE LEADER: It can be really difficult to trust the Lord when it doesn’t look like He’s moving—when it doesn’t look like He’s in control. But biblical accounts like this remind us that prayerfully placing our situations in God’s hands and asking for His guidance is always for our good. As leaders, commit to praying for one another and for students to trust God with difficult circumstances.
