Joseph – Message 1

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Joseph  –  Message  1    

Announcements

  New  Growth  Track  Times:  In  order  to  help  make  it  more  convenient  for  people  to  participate  in  the  new  Growth   Track,  the  times  will  be  adjusting  to  the  following.       • Step  1,  Starting  Point  –  12:45  on  the  first  Sunday  of  each  month.   • Step  2,  Essentials  –  12:45  on  the  second  Sunday  of  each  month.   • Step  3,  Dream  Team  –  12:45  on  the  third  Sunday  of  each  month.   • Step  4,  Small  Group  Orientation  –  During  the  11:15  service  on  the  fourth  Sunday  of  each  month.   • Water  Baptism  –  12:45  on  the  fourth  Sunday  of  each  month.  Participation  in  Step  2  Essentials  is  required.    

Warm-up

    Share  a  funny  experience  when  things  didn't  go  according  to  your  plan.       There  is  often  more  than  meets  the  eye  in  our  lives  and  the  lives  of  others.    We  each  have  a  backstory.    Over  the  next   few  weeks,  we  will  examine  the  backstory  of  important  characters  of  the  Bible,  learn  how  God  used  their  backstory,   and  how  He  can  use  ours.    Today  we  will  examine  the  story  of  Joseph  in  the  Old  Testament  and  his  example  of   trusting  God  for  our  dreams.    

Word and Application

    Don’t  Give  Up  on  Your  Dream     1. Even  if  you  didn’t  start  off  well.   Life  is  not  perfect  and  neither  are  we.    We  sometimes  make  mistakes  or  challenges  pop-­‐up  unexpectedly.       Read  Genesis  37:1-­‐7.    Scripture  describes  how  Joseph  was  blessed  and  destined  for  greatness,  yet  after   receiving  his  dream  from  God  he  made  some  poor  choices-­‐some.  These  choices  were  mistakes  that  impacted   him  for  quite  some  time.    How  does  pride  halt  God's  plan  for  our  lives?     Small group lessons are available at Cotkleaders.com

  Read  Genesis  37:19-­‐20.    This  was  just  the  beginning  of  roadblocks  Joseph  would  experience  as  he  went  on  to   fulfill  God’s  dream  for  his  life.     Describe  a  time  when  you  believe  God  gave  you  a  dream  for  your  life,  but  you  either  made  a  mistake  or   experienced  a  roadblock  that  caused  you  to  doubt  that  dream.         2. Even  if  your  family  doesn’t  support  it.     Read  Matthew  13:57.  As  we  see  by  the  examples  in  both  Joseph’s  and  Jesus’  lives,  it  is  not  unusual  to  receive   a  negative  or  indifferent  response  when  sharing  God’s  dream  for  your  life.    Do  these  examples  reflect  a   similar  situation  in  your  life?    If  so,  in  what  way?     3. Even  if  your  journey  is  full  of  surprises  and  setbacks.     The  surprises  and  setbacks  of  our  journey  are  tests  of  character  and  faith.    In  your  path  to  fulfill  your  dreams,   you  will  experience  critical  intersections  and  transitions.    Joseph’s  life  is  a  case-­‐study  of  opportunities  to   make  the  choice  to  either  “give  up”  or  “go  on”.  How  can  you  practically  apply  this  to  your  dreams?  How  can   you  help  your  loved  ones  reach  their  dreams?       Read  Romans  8:28.      What  does  this  Scripture  say  to  you  about  the  intersections  and  transitions  we  face  as   we  attempt  to  achieve  our  dreams?     4. Even  if  you  are  hurt  and  offended.   Joseph’s  journey  was  a  difficult  one,  but  resulted  in  an  amazing  outcome.    He  had  a  legitimate  reason  to  feel   hurt.    He  could  have  chosen  to  be  an  angry  and  bitter  man.    Instead,  he  chose  to  continue  to  move  forward  in   forgiveness.    We  are  able  to  clearly  see  from  his  life  that  our  response  to  offenses  determines  our  future.    As   we  develop  in  character,  we  need  to  remember  that  it’s  never,  “What  has  God  called  me  to  do?”  before,   “Who  has  God  called  me  to  be?”       Read  Genesis  50:20.    Share  a  moment,  when  you  realized  it  was  more  important  how  you  responded  to  an   offense,  then  the  offense  itself.    What  was  the  future  impact  it  had  on  the  relationship/circumstances?     Joseph  overcame  terrible,  painful  circumstances,  while  still  demonstrating  great  love,  compassion,  and   forgiveness.    God  expects  the  same  from  us.    What  will  you  do  this  week  to  ensure  that  your  response  to  an   offense  will  fulfill,  not  hinder,  God’s  dream  for  your  future?      

 

Prayer  

 

 

Pray  for  discernment  concerning  God’s  dream  for  your  life.  Also  ask  for  faith  strong  enough  to  manage  the   mistakes,  roadblocks,  and  difficult  transitions  you  may  experience  in  fulfilling  this  dream.    

Small group lessons are available at Cotkleaders.com