The Kindness of God Leads Us to Repentance (part one)
(Genesis 42; Romans 2:4)

I. God uses difficulty to stir our consciences. (Genesis 42:1-2)
II. God uses parallel situations to stir our consciences. (Genesis 42:14-17, 21; Galatians 6:7)
III. God gives us time to think about the past to stir our consciences. (Genesis 42:17; Psalm 51:7-11)
IV. God uses grace to lead us to repentance.
1. God demonstrates His grace toward us when we are not treated as harshly as we deserve. (Psalm 103:1, 10)
2. God demonstrates His grace toward us when he makes us into what we claim to be. (Genesis 42:11)
3. God demonstrates His grace toward us through loving discipline. (Proverbs 3:12)
4. God demonstrates His grace toward us through kindness. (Genesis 41:25; Romans 2:4)
5. God demonstrated his grace toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Application:
1. Respond to any ways God is stirring your conscience.
2. Respond to God’s demonstrations of grace through repentance and obedience to His Word.

Seven Signs of the Sovereignty of God
(Genesis 41)

1. God gave Pharaoh two strange dreams. (Genesis 41:1-8)
2. God reminded the cupbearer about Joseph. (Genesis 41:9-13)
3. God gave Joseph the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams. (Genesis 41:14-32)
4. God gave Joseph a wise plan. (Genesis 41:33-36)
5. God prompted Pharaoh to choose Joseph. (Genesis 41:37-41)
6. God caused the years of plenty and famine to come as predicted. (Genesis 41:47-48; 53-57)
7. God gave Joseph two sons. (Genesis 41:50-52)

Application:
What signs of the sovereignty of God do you see in your own life?

A Living Hope
(Genesis 40; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

I. We become disappointed when our hopes for answers do not come as expected. (Genesis 40:14; Proverbs 18:14)
II. Disappointments can lead us into either hope or hopelessness. (Genesis 40:23; Psalm 62:5, 105:19)
III. Hope in God alone is the only way to defeat hopelessness and disappointment in our lives.
A. If your hope is in God, you will focus on serving Him and others. (Genesis 40:6-7, 14-15)
B. If your hope is in God, you will have a positive outlook. (Genesis 40:8; Proverbs 17:22)
C. If your hope is in God, you will include Him first in dealing with problems. (Genesis 40:8)

Five lessons to spur us on to hope:
(1) God is always sovereign. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
(2) God is good all the time. (Psalm 119:67-68)
(3) God’s promises are fulfilled in His timing. (Psalm 90:2; 2 Peter 3:8)
(4) We are responsible for our own behavior and attitude and not for others. (Galatians 5:22)
(5) God’s grace is always sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Application:
How would you counsel a Christian who was disappointed with God? What steps should he or she take?

“But the Lord Was With Joseph”
(Genesis 39)

1. Be on guard when things are going well! (Genesis 39:1-6; 1 Corinthians 10:12)
2. In times of temptation remember who you are. (Genesis 39:7-11; 1 Corinthians 6:19)
3. When you are tempted, act quickly. (Genesis 39:12; 1 Corinthians 6:18, 10:13; 2 Timothy 2:22)
4. When you do the right thing, don’t expect to be rewarded. (Genesis 39:13- 20; John 15:20)
5. When you do what is right, God will honor you. (Genesis 39:21-23; Matthew 25:23)

 

Application:

Explore your identity in Christ through the following Scriptures: Ezekiel 11:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:4; Romans 6:4, 8:1,37, 12:5; Ephesians 1:3, 2:5.

Read about the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.

An Alphabet of Praise
(Psalm 145)

I. Praise God for His unsearchable greatness. (Psalm 145:1-3)
II. Praise God for His abundant goodness. (Psalm 145:4-9)
A. Commend God’s goodness to the next generation. (Psalm 145:4-7)
B. Cherish God’s goodness in salvation. (Psalm 145:8)
III. Praise God for His kingly greatness. (Psalm 145:10-13)
IV. Praise God for His satisfying goodness. (Psalm 145:14-21)
A. The Lord helps the weak. (Psalm 145:14)
B. The Lord provides food for all creatures. (Psalm 145:15-16)
C. The Lord answers prayer. (Psalm 145:18-19)
D. The Lord protects His people. (Psalm 145:20)
Application:
1. How is the greatness of God expressed in this passage?
2. How is the goodness of God expressed in this passage?
3. Take a few moments to pray through Psalm 145.
4. Write your own acrostic of praise to the Lord.

God is Sovereign over All
(Genesis 37)

Genesis 50:20, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

“Since God is sovereign over all, we can trust Him in all things.”

I. God is sovereign regardless of family background and circumstance. (Genesis 37:3, 14; Romans 2:11; 1 Corinthians 1:27)

II. God is sovereign in spite of us and our own mistakes. (Genesis 37:5-11; Romans 8:28)

III. God is sovereign even when others hurt or mistreat us. (Genesis 37:4,5,8,11, 18-36; Hebrews 12:15; Proverbs 14:30)

Application:
What have you learned about God’s sovereignty?
Find other verses that describe this attribute of God. Share one with someone this week.
When has it been difficult to trust God?
Are you willing to trust Him in all things?

According to His Riches and Glory
(Philippians 4:14-23)

I. A Gift Given (Philippians 4:14-16; Malachi 3:10: Luke 6:38)

II. A Gift Received (Philippians 4:17-18; Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 13:15-16)

III. A Gift Rewarded (Philippians 4:19-20)

IV. Doxology (Philippians 4:21-23; Romans 5:2)

Philippians 4:23, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

Application:
Promptly respond to God if He has spoken to your heart regarding giving.

2019 New Year’s Resolutions
(Philippians 4:1-9)

I. Stand fast in the Lord. (Philippians 1:27-28; 3:2, 18; 4:1; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 6:13)

II. Be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 1:27-28; 2:2; 4:2-3; Matthew 5:9; 23-24)

III. Rejoice in the Lord always. (Philippians 1:21, 4:4; Psalm 139:1-18; Romans 8:28)

IV. Let your gentleness be known to all. (Philippians 4:5; Titus 3:2)

V. Be anxious for nothing but pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 6:34)

VI. Think good thoughts. (Philippians 4:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Roman 12:2)
Application:
Make a list of reasons to rejoice.

 

“Spiritual Stepping Stones”

God has entrusted each parent with a special gift: a child. With that gift comes tremendous responsibility. A parent must take it upon himself to inspire, teach and nurture every aspect of his child’s development, including their spiritual development. The spiritual growth and development of each child is progressive and unique. It is often marked by individual influences in the home, cognitive development, moral development, and personal experiences. Consequently, any spiritual teaching materials must reflect a basic assumption that parents can encourage their child to pursue a life of faith. How does a child’s faith develop? How do children learn to love and follow Jesus Christ? Initially, faith is rooted in a child’s early perception and attitude toward spiritual matters. As a child matures, his evolving perception and attitude will steer him toward a decision about his faith. Later in his development, this decision will lead him to a commitment. The secret to encouraging lifelong faith in a child is understanding the Spiritual Stepping Stones that mark his spiritual development.

 

1. Spiritual Stepping Stone #1: Infant (ages 0-2)
   1. During these early years, a child is very susceptible to spiritual influence and instruction.

1. As you care and provide for the needs of your child, he will develop a foundation of comfort, love and trust in you, which will later lead to his sense of trust in God.
2. Children begin to form an association with the language of faith, spiritual images, and biblical characters, which build the inner foundation of moral knowledge.

1. 1. Spiritual Concepts:

1. “God created all things.”
2. “God, the Father, cares and provides for me.”

• “Jesus, God’s Son, loves me.”

 

1. Spiritual Stepping Stone #2: Toddler/pre-school (ages 3-6)
   1. During these formative years, a child experiences great spiritual growth, as he is beginning to understand the basic concepts of right and wrong, respect, compassion, and friendship.

1. As you instruct and model good behavior for your child, he will form an understanding of thoughts and actions that are acceptable in relationships with other people and with God.
2. Seeds of faith that were sown during infancy will continue to grow with responsive parenting and continued spiritual influences that are all focused on the Lord, such as songs, stories and prayer.

• Creative thinking and imagination begin to develop with a new understanding of faith in things unseen.

1. More things are caught than taught. Modeling spiritual behavior, like Bible reading and prayer, becomes extremely important.

1. 1. Spiritual Concepts (ages 3-4):

1. “I can listen to Bible stories and learn Bible verses.”
2. “I’m beginning to understand that the Bible is God’s Word and it tells me about God and His Son, Jesus Christ.”

• “I know that Jesus feels sad when I do something wrong.”

1. “I want to follow actions of others.”

1. 1. Spiritual Concepts (ages 5-6)

1. “Jesus came to the Earth to save people from their sin.”
2. “I know who God is and what He is like.”

• “I can talk to God whenever and wherever I want.”

1. “I know people in biblical times loved God and served Him.”
2. “I know how I can love and serve God today.”
3. “I am beginning to understand how God can be everywhere and in my heart at the same time.”

 

1. Spiritual Stepping Stone #3: Child (ages 7-11)
   1. During this season of life, a child is begins to wrestle with more complex theological issues, and he is ready to begin making faith part of his daily life in a more conscious way.

1. One of the ultimate goals of spiritual development in the life of your child is the display of biblical love toward God and others!
2. As you strive to emulate the character of God in your parenting, you will encourage your child toward spiritual maturity and growth, marked by an unwavering commitment to God, kindness, a sense of justice, and forgiveness.

• As they begin to believe more deeply in their personal convictions, they experience an increased desire to discuss them.

1. As their knowledge and understanding grow, they begin to share their beliefs and faith with others.

1. 1. Spiritual Concepts (ages 7-8)

1. “The Bible defines right and wrong. I am responsible for choosing what is right.”
2. “The Ten Commandments are hard to obey. I need Jesus’ help.”

• “The world is a big place, but God is working in every part of it.”

1. “I believe that the Bible stories are true, and I can begin to apply them to events that occur in my life.”

1. 1. Spiritual Concepts (ages 9-11)

1. “The Bible is God’s authoritative truth for my life.”
2. “Salvation is for me and any one else who trusts in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.”

• “The Bible paints a big picture of God working with His people, and I am part of that picture.”

1. “I now understand why Christ died for me. I realize how much He loves me and I want my friends to know Him too.”

Copyright 2007, one2believe. All rights reserved.

Only Jesus and Jesus Only
(Philippians 3:1-11)

I. A strong word of warning (Philippians 3:1-3; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9)

II. Misplaced confidence (Philippians 3:4-6)

III. A new way of accounting (Philippians 3:7-8; Matthew 13:45-46)

IV. A new life goal (Philippians 3:9-11)

A. Justification (Philippians 3:9; Romans 3:21-26)
B. Sanctification (Philippians 1:6; 3:10; Hebrews 10:14)
C. Glorification (Philippians 3:11; 2 Corinthians 4:17)
Application:
1. Why should God let you into Heaven?
2. Ask someone this question.
3. Share your answer to this question with someone.