Rachel

40 Moms 40 Weeks – Our identity is secure in Jesus.

Mom: Rachel

Children: Joseph, Benjamin, (Dan & Naphtali through Bilhah)

Gospel Connection:

We cannot earn God’s love.

I

ce Breaker Question

What trait do you hope your kids have?

Bible Reading: Genesis 30:1-8; 22-24

Summary

Rachel is considered the mother of Israel, but she didn’t always feel that way. She fell in love, but her father tricked Jacob into marrying her older sister. Now, she was in constant competition with Leah and they both tried to prove their worth. Leah began to have children and Rachel thought Jacob would love her more. Rachel thought that she was worthless if she could not have children. She was willing to trade anything to try and earn her husband’s love. She didn’t realize that she was already loved. In fact, God had loved her and chose her to be the mother of Joseph who would save His people from famine and destruction. Rachel made the common mistake of finding her worth in comparison to other people. Each of us is made in God’s image and we have value because we are people. If we have faith in Jesus, our identity is found in Him and we will never need to bear shame or feel worthless.

Question led Discussion

1. What makes a good wife or mother?

Give opportunity for discussion

2. What makes a good husband or father?

Give opportunity for discussion

3. How do you think Rachel felt when she learned that her father tricked Jacob into marrying her sister Leah?

Give opportunity for discussion

4. Can you tell us about a time when you’ve been in competition with someone?

Give opportunity for discussion

5. Rachel wanted so desperately to have children that she sent her maid, Bilhah to be with her husband. What problems do you think this may have caused?

Give opportunity for discussion

6. What do you do to show love to your husband?

Give opportunity for discussion

7. What do you think is the best way to get God to love you more?

God loves His children because they are His. God’s love is not conditional, but is based on who God is. God is love. If we are God’s children through faith in Jesus, we never need to fear that God’s love will be less toward us. We are loved with a perfect love. We cannot earn God’s love, it has already been secured by Jesus.

8. Is being loved by God enough to be satisfied life?

The Bible teaches that finding satisfaction in life depends on having a relationship with God through Jesus. Jesus said that He came to earth that we might have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) We were made to live for Christ and to be satisfied in Him. The world and even our hearts tempt us and say that we need more and can never be satisfied until we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Knowing God and His faithfulness allows us to cast our cares on Him and to be satisfied in life.