Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Psalm 15

Pray the Psalm together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the Psalm as a group

1  O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy mountain?

2  He who walks blamelessly, and does what is right, and speaks truth from his heart;

3  who does not slander with his tongue; and does no evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;

4  in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD.

5  who does not put out his money at interest, and does not take a bribe against the innocent.  He who does these things shall never be moved. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

Jacob & Esau

Genesis 25

1.       How does Genesis characterize Abraham at the end of his life?  What does Genesis say about Abraham’s destiny after death?  How do I want my life to end?  How does thinking about my death shape my priorities now?

2.       Compare and contrast how Isaac deals with his wife's infertility vs. how Abraham deals with his wife's infertility?  What challenges does your wife face that her mother/your mother also faced?  How is Isaac’s participation in Rebekah’s healing a model for my spiritual leadership of my wife?

3.       How does Genesis contrast Esau and Jacob in body and in character?  Which is more “inspiring”?  Which proves more “opportunistic”?

4.       How does Genesis contrast the sons in their relationship to their parents? What effects do preferences have?  What lesson as a Patriarch might you learn from Isaac and Rebekah’s preferences?

5.       What does the story of the “birthright” reveal about Esau?  About Jacob?  How does a Patriarch influence a child’s positive characteristics?  Negative characteristics?  How does a Patriarch help a son to see beyond immediate gratification to long-term goals and consequences?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own.  Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1.    I will ask my wife what she needs prayer for and will then pray aloud with her for her intentions and my desires for her.
2.    Each day this week, I will pray “over” my wife while she sleeps, for any healing I am aware that she needs. 
3.    I will discuss openly with my wife any perceived preferences she and I tend to make with our children.
4.    I will ask God daily for grace to “increase my desire and preference” for a child who is proving difficult in this season.
5.    I will praise one good characteristic of each of my children in front of the family.
6.    I will mediate reconciliation in a long-term conflict between my children.
7.    I will create an opportunity for my children to do something together apart from their parents (e.g. yard games, board games, skiing, etc.).
8.    I will spend time interceding for a couple struggling with infertility.
9.    I will establish or update any end-of-life documents: Living Will, Medical Power or Attorney, Life Insurance, Last Will and Testament, etc.

Previous Resolutions - Genesis 24

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.