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A Walk Through Romans
2024
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There’s One Way of Salvation
2022
53
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Essential Christian Doctrines
2023
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Essential Christian Practices
2023
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Swimming against the Current
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Pempa – In Search of Father
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Many years passed before Jacob went back home. God had blessed him with great wealth, he was married and had many children. While on his way, he received news that Esau was nearby. Hearing that Esau had an army of men, Jacob feared for his family’s safety. Jacob prayed, “Lord, You said You would watch over me! I am afraid Esau will kill us! Please, protect us.” Jacob prepared big herds of animals as a special gift for Esau. Jacob thought, “Hopefully Esau will forgive me when he sees this gift.” That night, Jacob prayed again. A man wrestled with him until morning. Jacob’s leg was hurt, but he would not stop struggling. “I will not let go of you until you have blessed me,” said Jacob. The man said, “Your name will be changed from Jacob to Israel. For you have wrestled with God and won the victory!” Later, Jacob and Esau met. Jacob bowed low before Esau. Esau had forgiven his brother. He ran to Jacob and kissed him. The brothers cried for they were happy to see each other. Who did Jacob wrestle with? Why did Jacob’s name change to Israel?
Jacob’s Fight at Night
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Esau hated Jacob for stealing his blessing. Rebekah warned Jacob, “You must leave this place before Esau tries to kill you. Go to your grandfather’s home for a while.” Jacob set out on the long journey. One night, he used a stone for a pillow and fell asleep. In a dream he saw angels climbing up and down a ladder to heaven. God was standing above the ladder. He said, “I will give you the land where you are sleeping. And I will protect you everywhere you go.” When Jacob woke up he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place.” He named the place Bethel, which means, “House of God.” Why did Jacob have to leave his home? What did God say to Jacob in the dream?
Jacob’s Dream
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After Abraham died, his son Isaac became the owner of all his tents, sheep, cattle, camels, and servants. Now Isaac and Rebekah had twin boys. Esau was the oldest son and Jacob was the youngest. Being the firstborn, Esau would receive more of his father’s riches and God’s promises. One day, Esau came in from hunting. Jacob was cooking some vegetable soup. “Mmmm, that soup smells good. I am very hungry, can I have some?” asked Esau. “Sure, you can have the soup if I get your part of our father’s wealth”, Jacob said slyly. Esau did not value his birthright and the future blessing that it would bring. So, in haste, he gave them up for a bowl of soup. When Isaac was old and blind, he called for Esau and said, “I want to give you God’s blessing before I die. Go hunting for an animal that is good to eat. Then prepare a tasty meal for me. When I have finished eating the meal, I will bless you.” Rebekah heard what Isaac said to Esau. She made a plan for Jacob so that he could receive the blessing Isaac was going to give to Esau. Isaac could not see, so Jacob pretended to be Esau and went to Isaac’s tent. “Is that really you, Esau? Come closer so I can touch you,” said Isaac. Jacob wore animal skins to make his skin feel hairy like Esau’s. In that way Jacob tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing planned for the firstborn. How many sons did Isaac have? What were their names? What did Esau give up for a bowl of soup?
Jacob and Esau
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It was time for Isaac to find a wife, but the local women worshiped false gods. Abraham was worried. He feared that if Isaac married one of the local women then all his grandchildren might also become idol worshipers. Abraham said to his loyal servant, “Go to my homeland and choose a wife for Isaac and bring her back with you.” “How will I be able to choose the right woman?” the servant asked. “The Most High God will send His angel before you. He will help you,” said Abraham. Then the servant travelled to Abraham’s hometown. He stopped by a well to pray, “Lord God, please lead me to a woman who is right for Isaac.” Just then, a beautiful young woman named Rebekah came to the well. She gave the servant a drink of water and said, “I will water your camels too.” The servant praised God for answering his prayer. “God has been kind and truthful. Rebekah is the right wife for Isaac.” Why did Abraham send his servant back to his homeland? Why did Abraham’s servant pray to God?
Isaac Gets a Wife
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One day God tested Abraham’s love. He said, “Abraham, I want you to give your only son to me. I want you to sacrifice Isaac on an altar.” This was very difficult for Abraham, since he loved Isaac very much. But Abraham trusted God. Early the next morning, Abraham took Isaac to a mountain and built an altar. “Father, where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” Isaac asked. “God will provide!” answered Abraham. Then Abraham laid his son on the altar. Suddenly, an angel of God shouted, “Abraham! Abraham! Do not hurt the boy. Since you have obeyed the Lord God, I now know that your love for God is great!” Then Abraham saw a ram caught by his horns in the bushes. Abraham sacrificed the ram that God had provided instead of his only son. Abraham named that place “The Lord will provide.” The Lord God blessed Abraham with a great reward because he trusted Him. Did Abraham trust God? What did Abraham offer to God at the end?
Abraham and Isaac
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Abram worshipped the Most High God. His neighbours prayed to false gods. God told Abram, “Leave this country. Go to a new land, and I will bless you.” Abram obeyed God. Abram packed all his things and moved. Then God appeared to Abram and said, “I will give all the land you see to you and your family.” Abram thanked God. One night God spoke to Abram in a vision. “Can you count all the stars in the night sky? I will bless you with as many children as there are stars, you will not be able to count them.” Later God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Again, God said, “You will be the father of many.” At that time Abraham was ninety-nine years old. God said, “Your wife, Sarah, will give birth to a son.” Abraham said, “Sarah and I are too old, we are not able to have children.” “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” said God. Then, just as God had promised, Sarah and Abraham had a son. His name was Isaac, which means “laughter”. Who told Abraham to go to a new place? Did Abraham love God?
God’s Promise to Abraham