“Genesis 29–33: ‘Let God Prevail,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)
“Genesis 29–33: ‘Let God Prevail,’” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual
Genesis 24–33: Lesson 32
Genesis 29–33
“Let God Prevail”
The prophet Jacob is an example of letting God prevail in his life. He went to great effort to marry in the covenant, gain the Lord’s blessings in his day-to-day work, and do what God asked him to do to heal his family relationships. This lesson can help students increase their willingness to let God prevail in their lives.
Student preparation: Consider inviting students to list ways God is an influence in their lives. If students would like to learn more on this subject, they can listen, watch, or read portions of President Russell M. Nelson’s talk, “Let God Prevail” (18:51).
Videos: “Let God Prevail” (18:51) from time code 12:18 to 13:02, “Jacob and His Family” (3:00)
Possible Learning Activities
The influences in our lives
Consider inviting students to make a list in their study journal of some of the influences in their lives. They might include friends, teachers, counselors, media personalities, parents, prophets, the Lord, and even their own thoughts and ambitions.
Then invite them to thoughtfully rank the influence each item on the list has. Students could put a number 1 by the strongest influence in their life, then a number 2, and so forth. Or students could write words like “high,” “medium,” or “low” to indicate the amount of influence for each item.
Before they read the following statement, it may be useful to explain that letting God prevail is allowing Him to be the greatest influence in our lives.
Read the following inspired questions by President Russell M. Nelson. Ponder how you would answer them.
Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His? (“Let God Prevail,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 94).
Invite students to write their responses to these questions in their study journal. These could include ways they are willing to let God prevail or be the greatest influence in their lives. They can also include ways they are not willing and why it is difficult for them.
Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to give you insights and help with any of your concerns or difficulties, and to help you feel an increased desire to let Him prevail more in your life.
Jacob’s example
On one occasion, Jacob was “greatly afraid and distressed” (Genesis 32:7), worried for his and his family’s safety. He “wrestled” (Genesis 32:25) all night, determined to obtain the Lord’s blessings for the difficult situation he faced. (You will study more of this situation later in the lesson.) In response, the Lord promised to help Jacob, but He also changed Jacob’s name.
Read Genesis 32:28 and mark what the Lord changed Jacob’s name to and why.
Consider inviting students to note in their scriptures that one of the meanings of the name Israel is “Let God prevail” (footnote 28b, see Bible Dictionary, “Israel”)
This lesson highlights three areas of Jacob’s, or Israel’s, life in which he let God prevail. As you study, look for examples of the following principle: As we are willing to let God prevail in our lives, He will bless us in all things.
Prepare copies of the following handouts and do one of the following:
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Give these handouts to three students or groups of students ahead of time and invite them to lead the class through the material.
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Invite students to complete all three activities in small groups.
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Give students a basic overview of the three handouts and allow students to select one or two to study. One way to provide an overview is to watch “Jacob and His Family” (3:00).
If students studied these three sections in groups, invite them to share what they learned and how it may be meaningful to them. If they do not naturally mention it, ask what they learned about the Lord.
Consider asking students to share other examples they have seen of people who let God prevail in their lives.
Letting God prevail in your life
Take a moment to ponder what you learned or want to remember from this lesson. Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost as you add your thoughts to your journal entry from the beginning of the lesson. Include reasons why you may want to let God prevail in your life. You may also include what you feel you could do to increase your desire to let God prevail in your life.
If they are not too personal, invite students to share their thoughts. Consider sharing your own thoughts and testimony as well.