Joseph Makes Himself Known
A take home Bible study to use as a follow-up to the sermon on 11/25/01. The study has 7 suggestions, one for each day of the week. Perhaps you could include this as part of your home devotions.
1. Read Genesis 43 for today. How did the test of Joseph continue as the brothers make their second journey to Egypt.
2. Read Genesis 44 for today. How did the brothers show that they had a change of heart? How did Judah especially show a heart that cared about others more than himself?
3. Read Genesis 45 in review. How did Joseph show his brothers that he had forgiven them for their sins against him?
4. Study Genesis 46-47. What happened after Jacob and his family came to Egypt? How did Joseph continue to make sure the people had food to eat? What promise did Joseph have to make to Jacob?
5. Study Genesis 48-50. What special blessing did Joseph’s son receive from their grandfather? Notice the blessings of the brothers, pictures, mentions a trouble and blessings in connection to their futures in the land of Canaan. What did Joseph have to assure his brothers of after the death of Jacob?
6. Review “The Ministry of the Keys and Confession” in your Catechism or “Forgiveness” in your adult instruction book. When we offer forgiveness to each other that is as valid as if who was offering that forgiveness personally? Certainly we are able to earn our forgiveness, so why can we offer forgiveness of sins to each other? Is repentance our work or God’s work in us? (Remember what we would turn to if left to ourselves, where would our sinful nature lead us?)
7. Read Exodus 1-2 in order to prepare to hear the next sermon in our series.