They meant it for evil. But God used it for good.

In Genesis 45, Joseph’s brothers stood before him – brothers that had once sold him off to slave traders, and then told their father that he was dead. They had acted wickedly! And in a ‘twist of fate,’ their lives were now in his hands. But was it really a ‘twist of fate?’ Was their encounter just an amazing coincidence? That will be the focus of today’s study.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What is ‘providence,’ and how does that word apply to Gen. 45?

B) Why didn’t Joseph exact revenge, when given the opportunity?

C) What was God’s purpose in all the events of Joseph’s life?

 

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In Genesis 40, Joseph was in prison.

Now, he did not deserve to be there. He’d done nothing wrong. And he must have wondered what part his shackles played in God’s plans. Hadn’t God given him a dream of a great and glorious future? Well, in today’s text, two other men would have dreams – and their interpretation would play a huge role in Joseph’s story.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What were the dreams of the Butler and Baker all about?

B) Did these men deserve to be in jail? If so, what had they done?

C) What did their dreams mean for them (and for Joseph)?

 

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Joseph’s story started poorly.

Within moments of being introduced in Scripture, Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. And not long after, he found himself in prison. So, where was God when calamity struck? That will be the focus of today’s study in Genesis 37.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Joseph’s brothers hate him so much?

B) Why did God allow Joseph to face so many hardships?

C) Where is God when our own circumstances grow dark?

 

 

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In Genesis 32, Jacob was ready for a fight.

Jacob was no stranger to conflict, but this time was different. In Genesis 32, as darkness closed in, he prepared for a confrontation with his brother Esau. However, the figure who grabbed him that night was not who he expected.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Who was it that Jacob wrestled with in Genesis 32?

B) What was the point of this wrestling match?

C) How was Jacob changed forever as a result?

 

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In Genesis 28, Jacob dreamed of a ladder.

The ladder reached all the way from Heaven to Earth.

So, what was this dream all about? For centuries, no one knew. For centuries, it remained a mystery. But then, in the first chapter of John, the answer was finally provided.Join us as we consider ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ in today’s study of Genesis.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why was Jacob all alone, using a rock for a pillow?

B) What was the nature of his dream – and what exactly did he see?

C) What was Jacob’s response (after waking from this dream)?

 

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Jacob must have been one rotten kid!

In spite of God’s clear direction, and although his other son was a numskull, Isaac did not want Jacob to receive his blessing. If it were up to Isaac, it would be Esau who would carry the family line forward. Jacob was not an option. However, God’s decree would not be thwarted, would it? That will be the focus of today’s study in Genesis 27.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Isaac prefer Esau? What were his reasons?

B) Was the ‘ruse’ of Jacob and his mother Rebecca actually a sin?

C) What can we learn from the brokenness of this patriarchal family?

 

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Meet Abraham. Isaac. Jacob.

These men, hailed as the ‘patriarchs’ of the Old Testament, helped shape the entire narrative of our faith.They were also sinners. Big, big sinners. In today’s sermon, we’ll see that the patriarchs needed God’s grace every bit as much as we do. And God gave it to them! His providential care is seen in every part of Genesis 25.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) In what way are the patriarchs the ‘Mt. Rushmore’ of the OT?

B) Why them? In other words, why did God choose these three men?

C) What does this text tell us about the doctrine of ‘predestination?’

 

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In Genesis 22, God told Abraham to sacrifice his son. Why?

For many, this event is one of the most confusing in all of Scripture – why would God tell Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? What was His purpose? And then, why would He tell Abraham to stay his knife? In today’s study, we will study this difficult and heartrending event.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) What was God’s purpose here? Was He testing Abraham?

2) What did Abraham think would happen on Mt. Moriah?

3) How does this event foreshadow Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary?

 

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Sodom and Gomorrah are the poster children for God’s wrath.

In Genesis 19, we read of a cautionary tale to a world hellbent on offending a holy God. Specifically, Genesis 19 describes the destruction of these two cities. The destruction was horrific. It was severe. And yet, in Matthew 10, Jesus says that an even worse judgment will befall those places that reject the Gospel.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) What was the sin (or sins) of Sodom and Gomorrah?

2) Why was God willing to relent if 10 righteous were found there?

3) What did Jesus mean in Matthew 10 (when He referred to Sodom)?

 

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In Genesis 18 made a promise so outrageous that Sarah laughed.

The promises that He has made you are bigger.

Throughout Scripture, God has promised to save and sanctify you, to wipe away all your tears, and to dwell with you in Paradise for eternity. Now those are promises! But how can we be sure they apply to us (and that they will be fulfilled)? That will be the focus of today’s sermon.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

1) Who were the three men that appeared to Abraham in the desert?

2) What promises did One of the men make to Abraham and Sarah?

3) Why did Sarah laugh, and what was God’s reaction to that laughter?

 

 

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