In the Beginning, Part 49: Joseph’s Patient Hope
In a fallen and broken world, we are constantly going to be waiting. Waiting on the Lord is hard, but joy is the inner spiritual confidence that God’s grace is sufficient to see you through your earthly pilgrimage.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing about this message that was particularly helpful, challenging, or encouraging for you?
- How do you tend to respond in moments or seasons of difficulty?
- What is something you experienced that you initially thought was bad, but turned out to be good?
- Read and discuss Genesis 40. How does Joseph continue to demonstrate good and godly character? How does good character necessitate consistency?
- How does Joseph display his faith in God by ministering to others despite his circumstance? Who in your life can you minister to in their pain, perhaps despite your own pain?
- Read Romans 8:28. How might this be the theme of Joseph’s life? What comfort do you take in this for your own earthly pilgrimage?
- Proverbs 13:12 tells us that deferred hope makes the heart sick. How have you seen or experienced this? What is something for which you are waiting on the Lord to provide?
- Why is it important to remember that life in this world is a pilgrimage?
- Discuss this definition of joy: Joy is the inner spiritual confidence that God’s grace is sufficient to see you through your earthly pilgrimage. How does the gospel of Jesus compel and enable us to live with joy in a broken world?
- Why is it important to be faithful to Jesus despite our circumstances? How can faithfulness in small matters lead to faithfulness in large matters? What is something in your life that God is currently calling you to deeper faithfulness?