Sermon Study Guide | Series: I Am | Sermon: With You in the Fight |
Scripture: Genesis 32:22–31 | Date: March 1, 2026

We developed a daily devotional reading plan for this series on YouVersion

If you’d like to dig deeper take a look at our Series Resource Page

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Have you ever had a season where your “system crashed” Where your strength, strategies, or survival patterns just stopped working? Maybe it was a relationship, your career, your health, or something internal no one else could see? When that happened, did you find yourself wrestling with God, running from Him, or pretending everything was fine? What did that season reveal about what you were really leaning on for identity or security? Share with your group

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read Genesis 32:22–31 together

• Jacob had spent his life running and manipulating. What stands out to you about the fact that God met him in a wrestling match instead of a lecture?
  
  
• Why do you think God asked Jacob, “What is your name?” What did it cost Jacob to answer honestly?
  
  
• “The fight brings an invitation to honesty.” Where in your life are you tempted to manage your image with God instead of being honest?
  
  
• Jacob walked away with a limp. Why do you think God allowed the blessing to come with altered capacity instead of restored strength?
  
  
• Have you ever experienced a “limp” in your life; a failure, loss, closed door, or disappointment, that later became a gift in disguise? What did it teach you?
  
  
• Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (“wrestles with God”). What false or limiting names do people tend to carry today? What name does God speak over someone who belongs to Him?
  
  
• Baptism is a public declaration of a new identity. Why do you think going public with faith is such an important step in spiritual formation? Share your journey to Baptism

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• This week, where do you sense God inviting you to wrestle instead of retreat?
  
  
• What is one area where you need to stop “upgrading your RAM” (trying harder, optimizing more, hustling spiritually) and instead surrender?
  
  
• If you’ve been baptized, revisit that moment. What old name did you leave in the water? Are you still living like that old name has power over you?
  
  
• If you have not been baptized, what is holding you back? What would it look like to stop running and publicly trust Jesus with your story?
  
  
• Practice “honest prayer” this week. Set aside five minutes each day to tell God exactly where you are exhausted, afraid, or frustrated, without polishing it.

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

God, thank You that You do not wait for us to get stronger before You meet us. Thank You for stepping into the dirt of our lives and loving us enough to wrestle for our hearts.
For the places where we are tired of running, give us courage to yield. For the limps we carry, help us see Your mercy in them. Rename us where we have believed false labels, and teach us to live as Your beloved sons and daughters. We trust that even in the dark, You are with us in the fight. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you have feedback on this guide or ideas that would help your group engage more deeply, we’d love to hear from you. Your insight helps us continue growing as a church that wrestles honestly and walks faithfully together. Contact msummers@menlo.church

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