Note to the Teacher

The key phrase in this Scripture (for this lesson) is “what drives us from within”? The icebreaker invites youth to “wrestle” with one another. The discussion encourages students to think about ways in which they have wrestled with God and held judgments or prejudices. The activity allows youth to experience the feeding of the five thousand through film and to brainstorm ways in which they can work to meet a need in their community. Times are based on a fifty-five-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Icebreaker – Toe Tag (15 minutes)

In this game, everyone starts out as “it.” The object of the game is to tag another person’s toe using only a toe. Once a person’s toe has been tagged, that person must sit down. The last person standing wins.

Remind students that stomping on toes is not a good or friendly option.

Option 1:

To make the game a bit harder, use the following variation. The game plays as is. If Person A tags Person B, Person B sits down. If, however, Person A is tagged by another Person, anyone tagged by person A (who is sitting) can get back in the game.

Option 2:

This can be varied using a different body part such as the thumb or pinky.

Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Our scripture reading today involves the story of someone who “wrestled with God.” See

Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15, and Matthew 14:13-21.

Discussion (15 minutes)

When you hear the word “wrestle.” what images come to mind?
Do the scriptures we just read seem to have anything in common with the images we first think of when we hear the word “wrestle”?
What do you think it means to “wrestle” with God?
What do each of the people in our story have in common?
What was God’s response in each story?
Have you, or has anyone you’ve known, wrestled with God? Would you be willing to share about it? How did the wrestling leave you or the person you know changed?
How might wrestling with God be used as one way we can recognize God’s presence in the world?

Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

Take this lesson to the next level by getting imaginations involved using the feeding of the five thousand. Watch a clip from The Chosen, Season 3 Episode 8 (The Feeding of the 5000).

Points for discussion after the video clip:

In meeting the needs of the hungry, marginalized, different, and others, we have a unique opportunity to see the face of God. How might recognizing the needs of the hungry, marginalized, different, and others cause us to wrestle with God?
What needs do you see in our community that you think we might be able to do something about? Are there ways that we might come together to meet a need in our immediate community? What is the cost? How can we prepare ourselves and encourage others to be willing to pay that price?
Work on an action plan together to meet a need. Brainstorm possibilities.

TOTAL TIME: 55 minutes