week of 11/24

Unit 03  Session 4

GOD 'S TEST OF JOB

job 2:1-10

 

Key Concept:

Every circumstance in our lives is an opportunity to respond with faith in God.

The book of Job is unique in Scripture in that it lacks many of the attachments other Biblical books have to historical events, people, and places. Set on the outskirts of Israel in the land of Uz, the narrative features Job, his family, and his friends. In addition, a dialogue between God and Satan serves as the context and framework for an unfolding story about God's sovereignty, the existence of evil, and the reality of suffering in our world, even for those who are righteous.

As you examine Job 2:1-10:

✞   Identify how this story frames God's character as One Who both comforts His people 

    and sovereignly orchestrates all things toward good.

     

✞   Consider how you have experienced God's comfort amid suffering in your life and how 

    you can use that comfort to help others who are suffering. 

week of 11/17

Unit 03  Session 3

GOD WAS WITH JOSEPH

gENESIS 39:1-5A, 7-12, 19-23

 

Key Concept:

No matter our circumstances, God is always with His people and deserving of our obedience.

Genesis 37-50 tells the story of Jacob's sons who would become the twelve tribes of Israel, yet the focus is almost exclusively on one son in particular. With sinful favoritism rearing its ugly head once again in this family, Jacob favored Joseph more than his elder brothers because he was the son of his favorite wife. Jealous of their father's love for their younger sibling, Joseph's brothers hatched a plan to kill him but instead sold him off into slavery in Egypt. Though Joseph was separated and isolated from everything he had known, we see in his story a palpable reminder of the surety of God's presence and power to override evil and use it for good.

As you examine Genesis 39:1-5a, 7-12, 19-23:

✞   Recognize that Joseph was obedient in difficult circumstances because ultimately he 

    knew he would be sinning against God.

     

✞   Consider the reality of God's presence with you and how this should shape our view of 

    good and difficult things.

week of 11/10

Unit 03  Session 2

GOD'S PROMISE TO JACOB

gENESIS 28:10-22

 

Key Concept:

God is present with His people, faithful to His promises, and deserving of our worship.

Genesis 25-36 depicts God's ongoing faithfulness to Abraham's descendants, seen first through his son Isaac and then through his grandson Jacob. Despite manipulative and deceitful schemes to obtain both his brother's birthright and his father's blessing, from the womb, Jacob was the one chosen by God to receive the covenant promises passed down from Abraham and Isaac. God's work in and through Jacob's life reminds us that God uses and works through sinful people and unfavorable circumstances to accomplish His will.

As you examine Genesis 28:10-22:

✞   Identify how God's promises to Jacob mirrored those He made to Abraham and Isaac.

     

✞   Consider what genuine worship of God should look like in your life.

week of 11/3

Unit 03  Session 1

JACOB MANIPULATED ESAU

gENESIS 25:20-34

 

Key Concept:

God's will and ways are righteous, while our ways are sinful.

The second half of Genesis details the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham through the lives of Abraham's promised offspring. Like Sarah before her, Rebekah, Isaac's wife, was barren for years. Isaac prayed for his wife, and just as the Lord kept His promise with Abraham and Sarah, the Lord gave Rebekah twin sons: Esau and Jacob. The twins' ensuing sibling rivalry highlights a few major themes in the book of Genesis and within Scripture more broadly. God's covenant faithfulness is seen throughout the book as He keeps His promises and sovereignly works to carry out His plan.

As you examine Genesis 25:20-34:

✞   Evaluate each person's words and actions to determine what was good and what was 

    sinful.

     

✞   Consider what this passage teaches us about God's character and His faithfulness to 

    His own promises and unfolding plan.