Against All Odds
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DIGGING DEEPER STUDY FEBRUARY 2021 AGAINST ALL ODDS One Scripture | One Story | One Savior Jesus said to them— “DID NOT THE MESSIAH HAVE TO SUFFER THESE THINGS AND THEN ENTER HIS GLORY?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself. Luke 24:26-27 (NIV) From Old Testament to New, the whole of Scripture fits together to point to our Risen Savior ultimately. After the resurrection, Jesus explained how the Torah’s stories, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, and the whole of the Old Testament taught about Himself. As we continue to journey together in 2021, we are working our way toward Holy Week. Over the next four weekends, our focus is on the lives of two significant Old Testament characters: Joseph and Moses. As we will discover, their stories foreshadow the Messiah that would one day come to redeem all creation. Join us as we learn more about what it means to follow Jesus as His disciples. Dig into the Scriptures, spend time in prayer, and be sure to pour into the life of someone else. Jesus modeled and taught His Church how to invest in the lives of others— that’s what disciple-making is all about. Let’s learn and grow together as we trust the Holy Spirit to use our voices and talents to point the world to Jesus. HOW TO USE THIS STUDY PRAY WRITE Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my your miracle-wonders. Psalm 119:18 (The Message) verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 (NASB) When you open up your Bible, you are not reading alone, even if you are the only person in the room! The Holy Use this guide to write down thoughts, concerns, prayers, Spirit is with you and always faithful to teach each of us. and next steps. The Scriptures teach us that we always Before you read the Bible verses, pause and pray! Thank want to be doers of the word, not just listeners. Look for the Holy Spirit for being with you and illuminating your practical ways to share God’s love with others. Let’s be heart with God’s Word. light to the world through our actions. LISTEN LOVE Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I God worship. Psalm 34:11 (The Message) have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you Often when we read the Bible, we can easily get lost as love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV) our mind wanders. It’s totally normal for our minds to drift! Instead of getting frustrated, use those thoughts Reach out to someone and encourage them from what to direct you toward listening to the Holy Spirit. Those God teaches you through your time in prayer and the are often the people and circumstances we need to pay Scriptures. Serve in every practical way possible so that attention to the most! others can experience the love of Christ. To view the first part of this study guide and the sermons they correlate with, visit us online at NORTHLANDCHURCH.NET/DIGGINGDEEPER. FEBRUARY 27-28 WHAT DOES IT SAY Before you read today’s Scripture, ask the Holy Spirit to open up your mind and JOSEPH heart to hear how the story of Joseph is meant for you right now. First, read PART 1 the first part of Joseph’s story in Genesis 37 and highlight words and phrases Genesis 37-41 that jump out at you. Lastly, answer and reflect on the following questions that connect Joseph’s story to your story today. The Old Testament is full According to Genesis 37:1-2, what kind of report did Joseph bring regarding of incredible stories that his brothers? impact every generation. In the back half of Genesis, one such story centers on the _____________________________________________________________________________ life of Joseph. Through his life, we see strong themes of _____________________________________________________________________________ love, jealousy, rivalry, human- trafficking, massive injustice, _____________________________________________________________________________ and ultimately the great providence of God. Joseph’s father, Jacob, was also referred to by the name “Israel.” What reason does the Bible give in verse 3 for Israel loving Joseph more than his other brothers? When Joseph was just 17, he What gift did Jacob give Joseph, and what kind of reaction did it cause among the made some poor choices. other brothers? His brothers did not respond _____________________________________________________________________________ well to the immaturity that he displayed, and one bad circumstance turned into _____________________________________________________________________________ another and then another. The arc of Joseph’s life reveals _____________________________________________________________________________ many high points as well as many low points, and the On top of what has already happened in these first few verses, what else did power of forgiveness echoes Joseph do that angered his brothers and caused Jacob to rebuke him? to us today. _____________________________________________________________________________ As you read and reflect these next two weeks on the life of _____________________________________________________________________________ Joseph, try putting yourself in his shoes. Think of what _____________________________________________________________________________ he must have been feeling, struggling with, and why he Describe what Joseph’s brothers did to him when he went to find them shepherding made the decisions he made. their father’s flock. Try also to put yourself in the shoes of his brothers _____________________________________________________________________________ and the rest of his family. As disciples of Jesus, we have a _____________________________________________________________________________ great deal to learn from these stories’ many life lessons. In addition to his struggles, _____________________________________________________________________________ Joseph provides incredible Chapter 37 ends with a bridge into Joseph’s new life. Where did he end up and under examples of ways to live a life who’s oversight? of obedience and character. _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A DISCIPLE TODAY Have you ever personally experienced or seen someone else who received some form of special favoritism? How Can you think of specific examples of how Christians can did this make you and others feel? sometimes appear pompous to those around them today? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Why are pride and arrogance such a divider between people? ________________________________________________________ What did Christ teach and model instead? When Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers, they didn’t take it too well. How do you think Joseph could have ________________________________________________________ taken a different approach in that situation? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ According to Philippians 2:1-11, what should be our attitude instead? ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ On a scale of 1-10, how angry do you think Joseph’s brothers were to scheme such a harsh plan against him? In Genesis 37, Joseph’s life was at high risk several different times. Can you think of an example in your own life where something happened, and you can now look back and see ________________________________________________________ God’s hand of protection over you? Describe that time. ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ PRAYER What do you think causes people to turn so cruelly against close family members or friends? What does it say about God, how often is my life full of myself—full of pride, my ego, the human condition that we can fall into such a dark place and my self-centeredness? I confess that I have too often and treat others so harshly? put myself in the center rather than others, and especially rather than you. Jesus, you modeled what it means to live a life for others, and your love created a beautiful space for ________________________________________________________ relationships to flourish. Holy Spirit, would you continue to awaken in me the awareness of my sin and ego? Would ________________________________________________________ you forgive me and restore me in centering my life on you and others rather than myself? Today, help me live my life putting others first, serving them where they are, and ________________________________________________________ lifting them to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. MARCH 6-7 WHAT DOES IT SAY Once again, pause before reading today’s Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to JOSEPH help you hear what you need to hear today. This prayer does not need to be long PART 2 and fancy. Simply ask for