ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES date
1.7
God recognizes our shortcomings … God is not finished with me yet! Inspire (for parents) There is a bumper sticker that reads, “Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet!” While I am not a big fan of bumper stickers, I am most definitely a fan of the fact that God is not finished with me yet! He cares enough to continually walk with me through deep waters and tough times, and He guides me through to the other side, making me stronger. I’m thankful God knows and accepts me as one of His children.
to complete the work He has started in our lives. Just as we are continually shaping our children, God is continually shaping us. As a parent of adult children, one of the hardest things for me has been to turn my children over to God and trust that He will finish the work He began in each of their lives. It has been difficult to watch my children make mistakes, then learn and grow from them. However, it has been wonderful and exciting to recognize that just like me, God is not finished with them yet!
When I think of my own children, I realize I by Debbie Guinn am more patient with them than others may be. I know what they have been exposed to; I understand the details of their lives. When my children were young and would act out, I would stop and think, did they get a good night’s rest? What did they eat for —33 is 27:41–46; 32 breakfast? Did they fight with Scripture: Genes Go with d) their siblings? Did something (Jacob Wrestles te What He upset their routine or schedule? Faithful to Comple Is od G t: in Po n Mai These things were not an Began your family to excuse for acting out, but were signed to allow is resource is de Th ur children yo ord before an explanation that helped me to W d’s Go in e have tim n is for parents better understand my children. cause God’s pla Be . ch ur ch nd atte children’s faith, l nurturers of their to be the spiritua God recognizes our shortcomings, lly, your children you grow spiritua we know that as He knows what has been going lly as well. will grow spiritua on in our lives, and He is faithful
Getting Started
Equip (for parents) REM In Genesis 32:24–28, Jacob wrestled with EMB “The God all night. God in the form of a man, and ER v not Lord is ers be i Jacob struggled and struggled until … the m E y n dow s n in want. H hephe man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But me r gree d, I s em b Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless my eside q n pastu akes m hall s u e you bless me.” The man asked him, “What righ oul. He iet wa res, he lie t l t g e e e u ad r is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. o s i Psa u lm 2 sness des m , he res s e Then the man said, “Your name will no 3:1– to f in or h 3 is n paths res longer be Jacob, but Israel, because ame ’s sa of you have struggled with God and with men ke.” and have overcome.” Why did God ask for Jacob’s name right after Jacob said he would not let God go until He blessed him? Years ago, when Isaac asked Jacob his name, he answered, “I am Esau.” Jacob used his brother’s name to steal the blessing. Now God has come to redeem Jacob of what his name symbolizes. (Remember, Jacob’s means “deceiver.”) God asked him for his name because He wanted to know if Jacob knew it. When Jacob answered, “My name is Jacob,” he acknowledged the real him. After many years of running away and looking over his shoulder, Jacob finally faced his sins, repented, and was changed by God. God prevailed in Jacob’s life by blessing him and making him into a great nation, like his father, Isaac, and his grandfather Abraham. In Jacob’s life, God was faithful to complete what He began.
Support
(for parents & kids) Sometime this week read through the biblical account of God and Jacob wrestling in Genesis 32. At the end, think of a question that reflects on what you just read such as, “Who was wrestling?” or “What did Jacob ask God for?” Just for fun, read this passage at bedtime. As you tuck your children in, tell them the story about Jacob they are going to hear also happened at night. God came to Jacob as he was going to sleep. If your children are old enough, have them read parts of the passage out loud themselves. When you are finished, ask your children if anything stuck out to them. Let them know what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible and that they will hear it in church. Remind them the Bible is true and that just as God came and met with Jacob, He still wants to meet with us today.
© 2010 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.