中文 | English
|
| « Prev | Next » | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
| Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | |
Weekly Guide：2022-2023 Week 15
April 17, 2022
Week 15 Day 1: Sons of Ishmael ⇧ ⇩
Question
Does God’s promise ever fail?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Ishmael’s descendants. God’s promise is never unfulfilled.
-
As God has promised, Ishmael became the father of 12 tribes.
Meditation: My Story
- Fidelity - Ishmael was conceived by human will. Although he was not the chosen son but God still blessed him. Ishmael was the ancestor of the Arabs today. How should I treat the descendants of Ishmael?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 15 Day 2: House of Isaac ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did the chosen son continue with his life?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The eighth segment of the family story. The House of Isaac, the chosen son of God. The birth of the two sons of Isaac and their struggle.
-
Rebekah gave birth to twin sons for Isaac. According to God’s promise, the second son Jacob was going to be stronger than the first son Esau. Jacob bought the birthright of the first born from Esau with red stew. Esau despised his birthright. Isaac stayed in Gerar of Philistine according to God’s will. Isaac lied about Rebekah as his sister. Isaac was asked to leave because he had gotten too powerful. Isaac backed down from the disputes of the wells. God led him to a vast land. Philistine made treaty with Isaac.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Although Jacob took seriously God’s promise, he chose to take matter into his own hands to gain the birthright by fraudulent means and caused family tension. Am I pursuing God’s promise by my own way? How should I seek blessings from God?
-
Community - Jacob chose peace in the dispute of the well and God led him to a vast land. Am I facing similar situations? Can I find peaceful resolutions?
-
Integrity - Isaac lied as Abraham did for his own safety. This might have been a trait passed down from father to son. Am I passing down the sinful traits to my descendants when I’m building my own family and bringing up my children? Ask God to help me repent and to purify me.
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 15 Day 3: Jacob in Exile ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did God’s promise and blessings continue?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jacob got Isaac’s blessing through deception and fled.
-
Isaac wanted to bless Esau but was old and had no clear vision. Rebekah helped Jacob to deceive Isaac and gotten the blessing that was meant for Esau. Esau was mad and wanted to kill Jacob. Jacob followed his parents’ will and fled to Laban. Isaac blessed Jacob before he left and reaffirmed the covenant God has made with him. Jacob met God and prayed to Him.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Jacob pursued God’s blessing not His presence. God found Jacob instead and changed his life. Do I prioritize God’s blessing over His presence? Pray to God to help me know him and follow him, one step at a time.
-
Integrity - Although Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, he obeyed God to bless Jacob when he learned His will. Obedience was a standout character of Isaac. Have I ever disobeyed God? How does Isaac’s example remind and help me to be obedient?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 15 Day 4: House of Jacob ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did Jacob’s descendants increase as God promised?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The story of Jacob’s 12 sons, the ancestor of the Israel’s 12 tribes.
-
Jacob started off from where He met God and went to stay with his uncle Laban. Laban tricked Jacob to marry Leah. God blessed Jacob with increased wealth and offspring.
-
Even with trickery, people cannot change God’s promise. God always faithfully lead those who lean on Him, however sinful they might be, onto the righteous path.
Meditation: My Story
-
Identity - Leah was not as pretty as her sister and wasn’t loved as much by her husband. But God blessed Leah and she moved her focus from her husband to God. What does this remind me of? Where’s my value and what is my worth?
-
Walk with God - Jacob learned a lot about God and grew in faith during the 12 years he worked for Laban. Have I ever been treated unfairly in my own job and life? How did God lead me to know Him deeper? How did my relationship with God grow in prayer?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 15 Day 5: Wrestle with God ⇧ ⇩
Question
How did God transform Jacob, the son of promise?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
Jacob’s transformation and meeting with Esau.
-
Jacob was full of fear as he went toward home. But God wrestled with him and transformed him. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel and he reconciled with his brother Esau.
-
God changes people when they lose all hopes.
Meditation: My Story
-
Walking with God - Jacob tried to reconcile with Esau through his own way. But was full of fear when he heard Esau had come with 400 people. He tried to hold onto God under this desperate situation and God removed Jacob’s power, changed and blessed him. Under what kind of situations do I try to hold onto God? How does God bless me? Think back and remember what God has done for me. Have I grown to know Him more?
-
Integrity - Jacob’s life had changed completely after this. He became humble and submissive when met with Esau. How did God change my life through my experiences?
Prayer
Notes and Responses
Week 15 Day 6: Sons of Jacob ⇧ ⇩
Question
What became of Jacob and his family?
Scripture Reading
Meditation: God’s Story
-
The character of Jacob’s sons and death of Jacob.
-
Jacob’s daughter Dinah was defiled by Shechem when she went visit the women of the land. Her brothers deceived and killed all Shechem’s men while they were still in pain, looted their city, took their women and children. This horrific act put Jacob’s family in great danger. Jacob listened to God to purify his entire family and moved back to Bethel.
-
God wants to set apart His people from the world.
Meditation: My Story
- Walking with God - Dinah put herself in danger. Her brothers caused much suffering through their fleshly rage and revenge. Jacob saw his inadequacy in leading his family. He therefore followed God’s will and purified his entire family to serve only the one true God. How does this story remind me of my own responsibilities in raising my family?