Abraham and Sarah
What were Abraham and Sarah’s original names? (spelling counts!)
Abram and Sarai
Describe 3 differences between Jacob and Esau (age; appearance; personality)
Esau is older, hairy, and a hunter; Jacob is younger, not hairy, and a trickster
What object did Joseph hide in his brother’s bag to accuse them of stealing?
A silver cup
As a group, discuss how many siblings all the teachers have in total.
2
Proverbs 19:21 Many are ______________, but ____ _______________.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Which name goes in the following blanks on the family tree?
Isaac + Ishmael
Who was Isaac’s favorite son? Who was Rebekah’s favorite son?
Isaac loved Esau, Rebekah loved Jacob.
What were the three places that God brought Joseph through after his brothers sold him?
Potiphar’s house, jail, Pharaoh’s court
Every group member has to stand on one foot (with the other bent 90 degrees) for 10 seconds
Success
How many times does the bible tell us to forgive a brother or sister? What does this actually teach us?
not 7 times but 77 times. Forgiveness is not just a one time thing
God tested Abraham by having him sacrifice Isaac, his only son. What does it mean when God tests us? (think: what is the purpose?)
God tests us to shape our character, and for us to learn about how he is always faithful and powerful.
What is a birthright? What did Esau trade away his birthright for?
A birthright contains the blessings from God, and the responsibility to lead the household; A bowl of soup
Describe the dream that made Joseph’s brothers jealous of him. Additionally, describe the dream that Joseph helped Pharaoh to interpret.
11 bundles of wheat bowing down to his bundle. For Pharaoh, 7 fat cows eaten by 7 skinny cows.
As a group, brainstorm three new words you learned in Sunday school this year
Grace, Compassion, Mercy, Confession, Covenant, etc.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord _______________ and _______________; in all your ways __________, and he _________________.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
After God stopped Abram from sacrificing Isaac, how did God provide a substitution for the sacrifice?
A ram with its horns caught in the bushes
What was Esau’s response after the two brothers reunited? What can we learn about God and relationships from their story?
Esau forgave and embraced his brother. We can’t always change hearts, but we can pray for God to give us hearts of forgiveness
How did God show that he was still with Joseph when Joseph was in Potiphar’s house? In jail?
God blessed the work that Joseph did and helped Joseph form positive relationships with those around him.
Gratefulness is important! Each person in the group names 1 thing from this past week they are grateful for that God provided.
Success
Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
What does it mean that God is steadfast? Can you think of any other words that describe God in a similar way?
To be steadfast means that God never changes, even in times of trouble; faithful, sovereign
What is a covenant? What was God’s covenant with Abraham and what images did he use to show it?
A covenant is a promise between God and humans. Offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore
Why did Jacob wrestle with God? What part of Jacob was displaced? What was his name changed to?
God was trying to show Jacob that it was not Jacob’s plans that would succeed, but God’s; hip socket; Israel
What does “grace” mean? Give one example of how you can show grace to others?
To extend compassion even when the other person does not deserve it
What does ACTS Prayer stand for? Each group member gives one example of what to pray for in each part.
Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
Explain this verse: Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Even though we are sinners, God shows us grace by still calling us his children, and forgiving us even though we didn’t do anything to earn it.