During July, we are focusing on the reality that families have felt a marked increase in cultural and societal storms that have affected our lives, our homes, and our families – sometimes with so much confusion about things our society or culture simply accepted as truth years ago. We are attempting to have some fun looking at some of the movies from the past, gleaning some of the messages from these movies, and bridging these messages with truths from God’s word – especially as it pertains to the family. Today we take a look at the movie Hook.

Genesis 27:1-26

1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. 3 Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. 4 Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.” 5 Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’ 8 Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: 9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.” 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. 12 What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.” 14 So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. 15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. 16 She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. 17 Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made. 18 He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.” 20 Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” “The Lord your God gave me success,” he replied. 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.” 22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. 24 “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked. “I am,” he replied. 25 Then he said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.” Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”

Genesis 27:30-35

30 After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. 31 He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.” 32 His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?” “I am your son,” he answered, “you’re firstborn, Esau.” 33 Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him - and indeed he will be blessed!” 34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me - me too, my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” 

Genesis 27:38-39

38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud. 39 His father Isaac answered him, “Your dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. 

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Icebreaker: Share a picture with the group that shows what your home was like growing up as you stood outside and looked in. Did there seem to be favoritism in your family growing up? 

2. Read Genesis 27:34, 38. Read about the painful cries of Esau longing for his brother’s blessing. Why was Esau so angry? Do people today really work as hard at getting blessings from a parent as they did in this biblical story?

3. Read 1 Peter 3:9. Blessing = bowing the knee and giving someone a coin because they are valuable. What is it like when someone sees great value in you? 

4. Read Mark 10:13-14, 16. Jesus modeled communicating the blessings to others. Notice the elements present (appropriate meaningful touch, a spoken message, attaching a high value, picturing a special future). 

5. In Genesis 12 we read: “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3) How have you been blessed by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection? What hope does this good news bring to you today? Who can you bless this week? 

For Families with Kids

In the Bible, one of the Greek words for “bless” can literally be translated as “a good word.” When we bless someone, it means we are speaking well of them, praying for them, and showing favor to them. When was a recent time someone truly “blessed” you? Is there a place you can be certain that a “good word” will be spoken over you? When was the last time you spoke a “good word” to someone close to you? Make it a goal to “bless” one new person each day this week. 

“Good word” examples to speak over each other in your homes: 

• I thank Jesus for you 
• You are loved by Jesus and I love you
• You will always belong to Christ and with this family
• You matter to Jesus and to me