"Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, on his way from Paddan-aram; and he camped before the city. And from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, he bought for one hundred pieces of money the plot of land on which he had pitched his tent. There he erected an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel." Genesis 33:18-20

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In this special Sunday encouragement, Pastor Kevin walks us through Genesis 33:18–20 and the story of Jacob, a life marked by fear, striving, and wrestling with God, yet ultimately transformed by His faithfulness. What begins as a cyclical pattern of fear becomes a testimony of grace when Jacob stops running, faces what he’s afraid of, and builds an altar of remembrance.

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1. Repeated Struggles Can Reveal What God Wants to Heal

Jacob’s story reminds us that when the same struggles surface again, God may be inviting us to slow down and pay attention. What feels familiar isn’t failure, it can be an opportunity for growth and deeper trust.

2. Wrestling With God Leads to Real Transformation

Before Jacob moves forward, he pauses to wrestle with God. Transformation happens when we stop striving, bring our fears honestly before Him, and allow God to redefine who we are.

3. Remembering God’s Faithfulness Shapes Our Future

Jacob builds an altar to mark what God has done. When we remember and declare God’s faithfulness, our stories shift from striving to trust — impacting not just us, but those who come after us.

Discussion Questions

1. What part of Jacob’s story stood out to you most, and why?
2.Are there areas in your life where you’ve been tempted to strive, rush, or take control instead of trusting God?
3.Pastor Kevin talked about wrestling with God. What does that look like for you personally right now?
4.Jacob built an altar to remember God’s faithfulness. What are some moments in your own story where you’ve seen God meet you or carry you through?
5.How might remembering God’s faithfulness shape the way you move forward in this season?

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