Growth Group Homework
For the week of November 13, 2005
QUICK REVIEW
This week we’ll explore more of Joseph’s story and see how he persevered in prison. Looking back over your sermon notes, what did you find most helpful, challenging or interesting from this week’s message?
MY STORY
1. In the sermon we saw how God spoke to a couple of prisoners through the interpretation of their dreams. What other ways does God show up and speak to us today? Can you think of a time that God got your attention or “spoke to you” about something? How did He go about it? How did you know it was Him?
2. Joseph knew what it felt like to be abandoned, unjustly accused, and forgotten. Imagine what he must have felt like after many years in prison and a lot of time to think about his situation. If you were in his shoes, which, if any, of the statements below might describe your feelings?
Where are you God?
What’s the use?
I give up. | Keep hanging on.
God is faithful.
Poor me. | How do I escape?
I’m innocent.
Who needs me here? | Potiphar’s wife is going to pay. What’s God trying to tell me here?
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Can you think of a time when you were forgotten or overlooked?
How did that feel? Why can it hurt so badly?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Joseph had every reason to be bitter and focused on his own miserable situation. Instead, this week’s story shows him caring for his fellow prisoners. Read Luke 18:35-19:10 and see how Jesus showed that same willingness to help others despite the fact that He was headed to Jerusalem and the Cross. What are some great reasons he could have come up with for not stopping to help Bartimaeus or Zacchaeus?
Luke 18:35-19:10
As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. [36] When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. [37] They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
[38] He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
[39] Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
[40] Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, [41] "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
[42] Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." [43] Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.
[19:1] Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. [2] A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. [3] He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. [4] So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
[5] When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." [6] So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
[7] All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "
[8] But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."
[9] Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." [NIV]
2. Pastor Chris pointed out that God can take a jail cell and use it to shape a life. Joseph persevered in a tough situation and God built his character in the midst of it. Today we have several advantages or resources that Joseph didn’t. Read John 14:25-26, Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and list three resources we have that can help us persevere in any circumstance.
John 14:25-26
"All this I have spoken while still with you. [26] But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. [NIV]
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." [NIV]
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. [NIV]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
[10] If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
[11] Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
[12] Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. [NIV]
Which of these resources is easiest for you to lean on in hard times? Which is most difficult?
Can you think of a time when your character was shaped through a tough situation? What was the situation and what did you learn?
3. It’s easy to read about the cupbearer who forgot about Joseph in Genesis 40 and wonder, “How could that happen?” At the same time it’s easy for us to forget about what God and others have done for us. Take a few minutes and write down at least two or three things that have been done for you that are worth remembering.
What suggestion did God give in Joshua 4:1-7 and 20-24 to help Joshua and his people remember their blessing?
Joshua 4:1-7
When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, [2] "Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, [3] and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight."
[4] So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, [5] and said to them, "Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, [6] to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, 'What do these stones mean?' [7] tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever." [NIV]
Joshua 4:20-24
And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. [21] He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' [22] tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' [23] For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. [24] He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God." [NIV]
Are there any objects, symbols, or rocks in your life that remind you of something important?
What might help you remember God and His faithfulness and other important events or commitments you have made?
4. Joseph recognized his gifts, talents and abilities, and also remembered they came from God. Many people know their own strengths; others enjoy the attention or fame their talents bring, and some take all the glory and honor for themselves. Why do you think some people are so hungry to be recognized or have fame?
Can you think of any challenges of being with a person that is always self-promoting?
What does Hebrews 13:20-21 tell us about where we get what we need and who is supposed to end up with all glory?
Hebrews 13:20-21
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. [NIV]
Romans 11:33-36 is called a “doxology”, which means “glory statement”. How does it affect the way you see God and His glory?
Romans 11:33-36
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
[34] "Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
[35] "Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
[36] For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. [NIV]
TAKING IT HOME
1. In spite of a busy schedule or challenging season in life, is there a specific way you could use your gift, talent, or ability this week to help someone else and bring glory to God?
2. If you are in a difficult situation right now, what steps can you take to persevere? Is there any way your Growth Group could help or support you in this season?
Can you think of anything God is trying to teach you in the midst of this situation?
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