Going Deeper in “Wrestling with Doubts”
Read the following a few times:
Luke 18:9-14; Mark 9:24; Phill 2:12-13; Rom 12:1-2
Reflect on the following:
1. What’s happening in Jacob’s life before this night? Why is he afraid?
2. Why do you think God chose to meet Jacob through wrestling instead of through a dream or peaceful prayer?
3. Have you ever wrestled with God — through doubt, pain, or big questions? What did that feel like?
4. What do you think it means that Jacob refused to let go until he received a blessing?
5. Why might God sometimes allow us to “struggle” instead of giving easy answers?
6. Jacob leaves the encounter limping. What might that limp represent in your own life or faith journey?
7. Can you think of a time when something that hurt you ended up shaping you for the better?
8. How can weakness actually help us grow closer to God?
9. God gives Jacob a new name — Israel. What’s the meaning of that name, and why is it significant?
10. If God renamed you based on your current faith journey, what might your new name be?
11. How do our struggles help define who we are and who we’re becoming? When have you seen someone’s faith deepen after going through a hard time?
Spiritual Challenges – Mustard Seed Faith
1. This week, spend time in prayer being real with God — bring your frustrations, doubts, or questions.
Don’t try to sound “holy.” Just be honest, like Jacob.
2. Write down one past struggle that has changed you for the better. What blessing came out of that experience?
3. Think of one area where you’ve been hurt or are still healing. Ask God to use even that “limp” to show grace or compassion to someone else.