Dysfunction: I Have Family Scars

Can God Fix This?

First Colony Church of Christ

Small Group Series Discussion Guide

Fall 2011

Dysfunction: I Have Family Scars

IceBreaker: 

Take a look at your arms (and legs if you’re able) and  take note of the scars that you can see. Usually these scars have a story to go along with them. Point out a scar to the group and share the story that goes along with it. Also tell the group how you feel today about the scar and the event that caused the scar.

Discussion:

1. Read Genesis 25:21-28. In the story of Jacob and Esau we see a rather messed up family. What foundational issue was the problem for these brothers? What other types of foundation issues can cause us problems?
2. In Genesis 27 Jacob tricks his father in order to steal Esau’s blessing. According to  verses 6-10 whose idea was this? According to verse 41 what affect did this have on Jacob and Esau’s relationship? How can our relationships be damaged by a third party in ways similar to this?
3. Genesis 33 takes place many years after Jacob stole his brother’s blessing. Read Genesis 33:1-4. How does this first meeting after many years go? What was Jacob expecting? Do these types of situations always end this way?
4. What scars do you think Jacob and Esau carried with them? What types of scars do we carry as a result of difficult family situations? Are parents always the cause of these scars or could it be someone else?
5. What does it take to heal the wounds of a difficult family? How does God use our family to shape us into who He wants us to be? How the four healing movements from Ronnie’s Sermon help us to move forward in a healthy way?

Prayer: 

1. Pray for health & healing in our families
2. Pray for grace to handle old scars
3. Pray for wisdom to prevent future scars
4. Pray for opportunity to share our scar stories for the benefit of another