Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts

Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours Part 6

Our final lesson has been posted.  Ever struggled with forgiveness?  Going through a long trail and in need of encouragement and hope?  Joseph's life is a great example to us about the amazing power of forgiveness and the triumphant plan of God even in the midst of suffering.

Please follow this link to listen to the lesson! You will find the study guide below!  Blessings! 
 
The Life of Joseph:  His Destiny and Yours Part VI

Genesis 45:1-15, 50:15-21

 

Genesis 45:1-15

 
1.      Why do you think Joseph’s brothers were terrified at his presence? 

 
 

2.      It is obvious that God has done a mighty work in Joseph’s heart.  Through Joseph’s long period of suffering what does he come to realize? (v.5,8)

 


 

*Extra Insight- “He quickly took from their shoulders all the blame for an ugly deed, as he sought to interpret to them the plan and purpose of God.  It was his way of centering their attention on the one supreme consideration.  The providential purpose was more significant than any minor act of mortal man.”[1]


3.      Joseph reassured his brothers he would not seek revenge.  Why do we or others feel the need to seek revenge?

 

 

 

*Application- Read Romans 12:19

 

 

4.      They say hindsight is 20/20.  How do you maintain faith when your circumstances are bleak?

 

 

Genesis 50:15-21

1.      Joseph’s brothers are overtaken with fear.  Why?

 

 

2.      How might God want to use the pains and struggles of your life to “accomplish” something (v.20)?  Have you asked Him?

 

 
 

3.      Do you find comfort knowing your struggle is for a purpose? Why or why not?

 

 

 

*Extra Insight- “All the episodes in the Joseph story contribute to demonstrating how God’s purposes are ultimately fulfilled through and in spite of human deeds, whether or not those deeds are morally right.”[2]

 

Reflection

1.      Do you believe God is working for your good regardless of your circumstances? Read Romans 8:28, Phil. 1:6, Phil 2:13.

 

 

 

2.      What about your dreams?  Are you dreaming too small?

 

 

 

3.      What do you believe is the greatest Truth about God and yourself that you can take from this study? 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph suffered a great deal of heartache but he learned that through perseverance and allowing God to change him there is __________.

 



[1] Wycliffe, 43.
[2] Wenham, 432.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours Part 3


 
Please follow this link https://vimeo.com/51186239 to listen to our online lesson!  You'll find the study guide for this lesson below!
 
 
The Life of Joseph: His Destiny and Yours Part III

 

Read Genesis 40:1-23, Gen. 41:1-16

 

 

Genesis 40:1-8, 14-15, 20-23

 

1.      Who are the cupbearer and the baker?

 

 

2.      Why are they sad?

 

 

*Extra Insight-“The Egyptians shared a belief, widespread in antiquity, that “sleep puts us in real and direct contact with the other world where not only the dead but also the gods dwell.  Dreams therefore are a gift from the gods” (Vergote, Joseph en Egypt, 48).”[1]

 

3.      What does Joseph declare concerning their dreams? Why is this important in light of Joseph’s past? (v.8)

 

 

 

 

4.      What does Joseph asks of the cupbearer? (v.14-15)

 

 

 

*Application-What does God’s Word tell us about our troubles? 2 Cor. 4:17, 1 Pet. 5:10

 

 

 

 

Genesis 41:1, 9-16

 

1.      After two full years the cupbearer remembers.  What does Pharaoh do in light of this new information?

 

 

2.      Once again Joseph acknowledges God’s power to interpret the dream.  What do you think Joseph learned about God during the extra two years of waiting?

 

 

 

*Application- What can we learn from the Apostle Paul about suffering?  Phil. 3:7-10

 

 

“God planned for Joseph to step into the dream at the age of 30—and He knew that could never happen until Joseph had dealt with that pride.  So God allowed Joseph to see the big dream at 17, so the pride of his heart could be exposed and dealt with.”[2]

 

 

Reflection

 

1.      Have you ever gotten your hopes up to only have them dashed?  How did it feel?

 

 

 

 

2.      Joseph had to wait 13 years before He was brought to a place of leadership (41:46).  How have you experienced God’s blessing after a long period of waiting like Joseph’s?

 

 

 

 

 

“Joseph is a good example of a man who seemed to have all the gifts and talents for leadership, but God developed his character and talents over many years. Gifts and talents may be impressive and immediate, but character is what God looks for and always takes time to develop.”[3]

 

 

 

 

 

On the way to Joseph’s destiny God was in the process of building Godly____________ in him.



[1] Wenham, Gordon. Word Biblical Commentary: Genesis 16-50. Vo. 2 (Dallas: Word Books Publisher), 382.
[2] Morris, 18.
[3] Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Genesis 41." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2012. 29 Aug 2012. <http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?
 
AuthorID=2&contentID=7361&commInfo=31&topic=Genesis >