Read: Genesis 50:20, 45:4-8, Matthew 26:20-30
How did Joseph reflect back on the evil done against him? Why? How did this prevent bitterness?
How did Jesus experience this same thing? Why is God’s sovereignty important in relational instability?
How does this truth encourage you? Specifically, how does this help you move forward with others?
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Friday, November 28, 2014
November 28, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:15-19, 34:1-29, Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19
Why were Joseph’s brothers afraid of him? In what way were they projecting their sinful attitude?
How did Joseph respond to them? Why is this an important truth in all relational instability?
Pray about how you may be projecting onto others. Ask God to give you insight and direction.
Why were Joseph’s brothers afraid of him? In what way were they projecting their sinful attitude?
How did Joseph respond to them? Why is this an important truth in all relational instability?
Pray about how you may be projecting onto others. Ask God to give you insight and direction.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
November 27, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:18-21, 45:1-15
How did Joseph’s brothers respond in both Genesis 45 and 50? What was the same? What was different?
What does this teach you about the importance of confessing sin? Why is timing important?
How can this help you in your current relationships? Specifically, how can you step into this truth?
How did Joseph’s brothers respond in both Genesis 45 and 50? What was the same? What was different?
What does this teach you about the importance of confessing sin? Why is timing important?
How can this help you in your current relationships? Specifically, how can you step into this truth?
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
November 26, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:15-17, Ephesians 4:3, 26-27
Approximately how long did the brothers take before making attempts to resolve with Joseph?
What could they have done sooner? What does this imply about avoiding and relational instability?
Describe a situation where you currently have relational instability. How can you prevent avoiding?
Approximately how long did the brothers take before making attempts to resolve with Joseph?
What could they have done sooner? What does this imply about avoiding and relational instability?
Describe a situation where you currently have relational instability. How can you prevent avoiding?
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
November 25, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:15-17, John 13:1-9
How did Peter respond to Jesus washing his feet? How did Jesus respond? How did Peter respond again?
Why was Peter misreading the situation? How could Peter have avoided this mistake?
How can you fall into the “Peter trap”? What practical steps can you take to avoid assuming?
How did Peter respond to Jesus washing his feet? How did Jesus respond? How did Peter respond again?
Why was Peter misreading the situation? How could Peter have avoided this mistake?
How can you fall into the “Peter trap”? What practical steps can you take to avoid assuming?
Monday, November 24, 2014
November 24, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:15-17
Why were Joseph’s brothers fearful? How did this impact the way they treated Joseph?
How did Joseph respond? What does this imply about relational instability and “assuming”?
How have you experienced this truth? Give an example. What specifically is God teaching you?
Why were Joseph’s brothers fearful? How did this impact the way they treated Joseph?
How did Joseph respond? What does this imply about relational instability and “assuming”?
How have you experienced this truth? Give an example. What specifically is God teaching you?
Saturday, November 22, 2014
November 22, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:14, Psalm 46:10-11, Philippians 4:6-7, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 28:20, Heb. 3:13
Explain how today’s reading can help someone move through death and grieving.
In what way is this different than what you’ve seen take place? Be specific.
How have you experienced the death of a loved one? What was challenging? How has today’s reading helped?
Explain how today’s reading can help someone move through death and grieving.
In what way is this different than what you’ve seen take place? Be specific.
How have you experienced the death of a loved one? What was challenging? How has today’s reading helped?
Friday, November 21, 2014
November 21, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:1-14, Matthew 18:18-23
How long did Joseph focus on the death of his father? What did he do after the memorial service was over?
How did Jesus teach the same truth with extreme language? How can someone get stuck in grief?
How can understanding the concept of a “new norm” help? How does this relate to God’s calling?
How long did Joseph focus on the death of his father? What did he do after the memorial service was over?
How did Jesus teach the same truth with extreme language? How can someone get stuck in grief?
How can understanding the concept of a “new norm” help? How does this relate to God’s calling?
Thursday, November 20, 2014
November 20, 2014
Read: Mark 15:42-16:3, Luke 23:46-24:1
Given Jesus was crucified the day before the Sabbath, what does this say about Joseph of Arimathea?
In what way was Joseph taking a risk? Why did he take the risk? What excuses could he have used?
How does this challenge the way you have viewed death, memorial services, etc? Be specific.
Given Jesus was crucified the day before the Sabbath, what does this say about Joseph of Arimathea?
In what way was Joseph taking a risk? Why did he take the risk? What excuses could he have used?
How does this challenge the way you have viewed death, memorial services, etc? Be specific.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
November 19, 2014
Read: Genesis 50:2-9, 12-13, 2 Chronicles 21:16-20
Beyond grieving, what did Joseph do for Jacob after he died? Be specific. Why did Joseph do this?
How does this compare to King Jehoram’s death? What does this teach about honor and respect?
How do you see this being discounted today? Why? What are some excuses used that prevents honor?
Beyond grieving, what did Joseph do for Jacob after he died? Be specific. Why did Joseph do this?
How does this compare to King Jehoram’s death? What does this teach about honor and respect?
How do you see this being discounted today? Why? What are some excuses used that prevents honor?
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
November 18, 2014
Read: John 11:18-44, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
Why can Christians handle death differently than non-Christians? How will it impact grieving?
Explain the difference between a death-denying and death-defying attitude. Which one is unhealthy? Why?
How do you see this happening in memorial services today? What is God teaching you?
Why can Christians handle death differently than non-Christians? How will it impact grieving?
Explain the difference between a death-denying and death-defying attitude. Which one is unhealthy? Why?
How do you see this happening in memorial services today? What is God teaching you?
Monday, November 17, 2014
November 17, 2014
Read: Genesis 1, 3, 10, 11, Ecclesiastes 7:2-4, 1 Chronicles 10:11-12
How did Joseph respond to the death of his father? Why did he respond this way?
What does this teach you about death and grieving? How can this be mistaken for weakness today?
How do you respond to death? Why? How can viewing grief through the lens of love help?
How did Joseph respond to the death of his father? Why did he respond this way?
What does this teach you about death and grieving? How can this be mistaken for weakness today?
How do you respond to death? Why? How can viewing grief through the lens of love help?
Saturday, November 15, 2014
November 15, 2014
Read: Genesis 49:3-28
Make a list of Jacob’s sons and describe how they turned out as either being good, bad, or neutral.
As you look at this list, what does this teach about family, calling and how God works?
Why is this important for Christians to understand? How does this encourage you to live more like Jacob?
Make a list of Jacob’s sons and describe how they turned out as either being good, bad, or neutral.
As you look at this list, what does this teach about family, calling and how God works?
Why is this important for Christians to understand? How does this encourage you to live more like Jacob?
Friday, November 14, 2014
November 14, 2014
Read: Genesis 49:8-12, 12:3, Matthew 2:1-8, Revelation 5:2-10
What was different about Judah’s future compared to his other brothers? What were the implications?
In what way does a Christian’s legacy/calling have the same implications? Give an example.
How does this elevate your legacy perspective? What adjustments do you need to make to your bucket list?
What was different about Judah’s future compared to his other brothers? What were the implications?
In what way does a Christian’s legacy/calling have the same implications? Give an example.
How does this elevate your legacy perspective? What adjustments do you need to make to your bucket list?
Thursday, November 13, 2014
November 13, 2014
Read: Genesis 49:3-28
Describe Jacob’s legacy/calling and how he went about accomplishing it. Be specific.
What does this teach about leaving legacies and fulfilling God’s call? Why is this important?
What will happen if this truth is overlooked? Give an example. What steps is God challenging you to take?
Describe Jacob’s legacy/calling and how he went about accomplishing it. Be specific.
What does this teach about leaving legacies and fulfilling God’s call? Why is this important?
What will happen if this truth is overlooked? Give an example. What steps is God challenging you to take?
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
November 12, 2014
Read: Genesis 49:1-2, Exodus 20:12, 14, Ephesians 5:21-6:4
How does both the OT and NT highlight the importance of family life playing into a God calling?
Why is avoiding family never an excuse for pursuing God’s calling in your life?
What has been your experience with this? How does God want you to adjust your thinking?
How does both the OT and NT highlight the importance of family life playing into a God calling?
Why is avoiding family never an excuse for pursuing God’s calling in your life?
What has been your experience with this? How does God want you to adjust your thinking?
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
November 11, 2014
Read: Genesis 49:1-2, Matthew 12:46-50, Hebrews 10:24-25
How did Jesus surprise those around Him when it came to defining family? What truth was He teaching?
Why is this important when it comes to church? How do you see this being overlooked today?
How is God challenging your church perspective? How can it hinder your calling? What needs to change?
How did Jesus surprise those around Him when it came to defining family? What truth was He teaching?
Why is this important when it comes to church? How do you see this being overlooked today?
How is God challenging your church perspective? How can it hinder your calling? What needs to change?
Monday, November 10, 2014
November 10, 2014
Read: Genesis 49:1-2, 34:30-35:4, 1 Timothy 3:1-5, 5:8
Why did Jacob want to be with his sons before he died? What does this tell you about family and calling?
How does 1 Timothy 3:1-5 highlight this same truth? How can individualism actually hinder your calling?
In what way is God challenging your perspective about family? How do you need to change?
Why did Jacob want to be with his sons before he died? What does this tell you about family and calling?
How does 1 Timothy 3:1-5 highlight this same truth? How can individualism actually hinder your calling?
In what way is God challenging your perspective about family? How do you need to change?
Saturday, November 8, 2014
November 8, 2014
Read: Genesis 48:21, 28:15, 31:3, 5, 35:3, Matthew 28:20, Philippians 1:3-6
Why did God constantly reassure Jacob that He was with him? How did this relate to his calling?
In what way do Christians have the same assurance from God? Why is this important for your calling?
How does this personally make you feel? What are the practical implications for you? Be specific.
Why did God constantly reassure Jacob that He was with him? How did this relate to his calling?
In what way do Christians have the same assurance from God? Why is this important for your calling?
How does this personally make you feel? What are the practical implications for you? Be specific.
Friday, November 7, 2014
November 7, 2014
Read: Romans 12:10, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thess. 5:11, Hebrews 3:13, James 5:16
In what way is Christianity always “others oriented”? How does this relate to God’s calling?
How can personal passion versus God’s calling sometimes get confused? Give an example.
What are some ways you have confused the two? How will you become more “others oriented”?
In what way is Christianity always “others oriented”? How does this relate to God’s calling?
How can personal passion versus God’s calling sometimes get confused? Give an example.
What are some ways you have confused the two? How will you become more “others oriented”?
Thursday, November 6, 2014
November 6, 2014
Read: Genesis 48:5-22
Why did Jacob decide to adopt and bless Joseph’s two sons? How was he fulfilling his calling?
In what way was Jacob “others oriented” toward his calling? How could he easily have been selfish?
What does this imply about God’s calling for you? How do you need to rethink the ultimate goal?
Why did Jacob decide to adopt and bless Joseph’s two sons? How was he fulfilling his calling?
In what way was Jacob “others oriented” toward his calling? How could he easily have been selfish?
What does this imply about God’s calling for you? How do you need to rethink the ultimate goal?
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
November 5, 2014
Read: Luke 18:18-25, 1 John 2:15-17
What was Jesus calling the “certain ruler” to do? Why was the ruler not successful in responding to Jesus?
How do you see this same challenge happening today? Give an example. How can this deter a calling?
How do you see this relating to your calling? How can you prevent the ruler temptation from creeping in?
What was Jesus calling the “certain ruler” to do? Why was the ruler not successful in responding to Jesus?
How do you see this same challenge happening today? Give an example. How can this deter a calling?
How do you see this relating to your calling? How can you prevent the ruler temptation from creeping in?
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
November 4, 2014
Read: Genesis 47:28-48:4, John 14:1-3, 1 Peter 1:1-5, 2:11, Revelation 22:3-5
How did Jacob view his home in Egypt? In what way was Jacob’s permanent home beyond Canaan?
How can Christians have the same perspective as Jacob? Why? What can happen if this is lost?
How is God challenging your daily perspective? What can you do to change it? How can you start today?
How did Jacob view his home in Egypt? In what way was Jacob’s permanent home beyond Canaan?
How can Christians have the same perspective as Jacob? Why? What can happen if this is lost?
How is God challenging your daily perspective? What can you do to change it? How can you start today?
Monday, November 3, 2014
November 3, 2014
Read: Genesis 47:28-48:4, 28:10-15, Psalm 123:1-2, Hebrews 10:35-36, 11:21
Why was Jacob so concerned about his burial before he died? How does this relate to his calling?
What truth is being modeled when it comes to living out God’s calling? Why is this important?
What is your calling before the Lord? How can Jacob’s perspective help you? Be specific.
Why was Jacob so concerned about his burial before he died? How does this relate to his calling?
What truth is being modeled when it comes to living out God’s calling? Why is this important?
What is your calling before the Lord? How can Jacob’s perspective help you? Be specific.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
November 1, 2014
Read: Philippians 4:3-9
What is surprising about Paul’s attitude and perspective given he wrote Philippians from a Roman prison?
How is he able to have this attitude? What does this teach you about when God will work in your life?
How can challenging times blur your spiritual vision? Give an example. How can you avoid the blur?
What is surprising about Paul’s attitude and perspective given he wrote Philippians from a Roman prison?
How is he able to have this attitude? What does this teach you about when God will work in your life?
How can challenging times blur your spiritual vision? Give an example. How can you avoid the blur?
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