Understanding the Blessing

God’s tangible favor and empowerment—spoken with divine authority—can be freely received through faith. It transforms lives with prosperity, peace, and purpose, and often extends to bless others.

Key Realities of the Blessing

• The Power of the Spoken Word
• The Authority that Backs It Up
• The Undeniable Results of the Blessing

Scriptural Foundation

1 Chronicles 4:9–10 (NLT) “There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!’ And God granted him his request.”

1. The Blessing Follows a Way

“Who was more honorable than any of his brothers.”

• Blessing and Cursing at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 28:1–2)
• Deuteronomy 28:1–2 (NLT) “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God.”

Reflection:

• What principles guide your personal life and career?
• Are you aligning with principles that lead to blessing?
• We admire those who boldly live out Christian values in the marketplace.

2. The Blessing Transcends Your Past

“His mother named Jabez because his birth had been so painful.”

• Jabez was born into hard circumstances and labeled with grief and pain.
• God can turn things around—your past does not define your future.
• The blessing of God has life-altering power despite your history.

3. The Blessing Can Be Sought

“Oh, that you would bless me!”

• You can desire, covet, and ask for the blessing.

Three Key Thoughts:

• Ask boldly, just as Jabez did. Don’t hesitate!
• Know that in Christ, you are already blessed.
• Speak blessings over your life, family, and business.

4. The Blessing Comes from God

“And God granted him his request.”

• This is reassuring: God answers the prayer for blessing.
• Romans 8:31 (NLT) “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

Discussion Questions

1. Share a testimony of how you’ve seen God’s blessing in your life or business.
2. What principle do you live by that aligns with God’s way? How has it led to blessing—or where do you hope it will?
3. What bold blessing would you ask God for now? How does Jabez’s answered prayer give you confidence to ask?