THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 39

REMINDERS

THANK YOU – Magnify Church Group Leader Appreciation Day – May 17

We had such a wonderful time at Rockford and Northview celebrating our leaders this past Sunday!

Grateful to all of you who continue to lead and serve.

If you missed out: please connect with us! We have a token of appreciation we’d like to pass on while it’s still fresh (spoiler alert: it’s a delicious mini-bundt cake)! Please connect with Trent no later than Thursday 5/21 to get yours!  (theaton@magnifychurch.org).

 

Summer at Magnify

The gears of summer planning are turning and the activities are about to begin!

We have many ways that we gather together as a church – from little kiddos through our “Just Older Youth (JOY)” groups. We want to help all our church family grow in community and in Christ.

Be sure to check out the events page for the Summer at Magnify details.

 

You can keep up with all our current news and events through our online bulletin.

See the events page on the website for more updates.

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

• What are you looking forward to the most this summer? What are you dreading the most?

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

Read Genesis 39 aloud together.

KEY QUESTION:  How can we resist bitterness and self-pity in the face of difficult situations?

QUESTIONS:

• Responding to Victimization: Joseph was treated unfairly and had many moments of injustice. It would be easy to believe that God was not present or working in his life. Joseph in many ways was a victim of circumstance.
  • Why is it so natural to rely on COMFORT as our gauge for how our lives are going?
  • When you are the victim of a raw deal, do you tend toward one of the two extremes Stu mentioned?
    • Bitterness: Hardened and Jaded
    • Self-Pity: Wallowing in Pain
  • How do these play out in real-time? How do you see this in practical ways in your life?
  • What is the call of the followers of Jesus (read Matt. 5:11-12)?

• When Saying a Little Says a Lot: upon faithfully fulfilling his duties, Joseph is promoted through the ranks. We could expect a “happy ending”. This was not to be the case. Joseph was then harassed, tempted, and stood firm against a powerful pull to sin. He then is wrongly imprisoned, thus continuing a cycle of injustice in his life. In it all, Joseph chooses to trust God.
  • Re-read Genesis 39:9-10
  • What truth does Joseph lean on in the face of temptation (see also: Psalm 51:4)?
  • What are often your first thoughts as you become aware of sin in your life?
  • How does acknowledging those we sin against and the ripple affect to others enable us to pursue forgiveness?

• Eroding Our Hearts: Joseph withstood strong and overwhelming temptation. This was not a one-time decision, but rather a result of a heart trained to love God and to resist sin, over and over and over again.
  • In what ways did the temptation of Joseph mimic temptation in our lives?
  • How does watching, listening to, or reading sexualized content impact our hearts?
  • In what ways do we justify “a little sin” in our lives?
  • What are some good protections you could use to help you in your own fight against lust (or any other sin area)?
  • Pastor Emeritus Louie Konopka has said: “The key to overcoming sin is to have a deeper passion for Christ.” How do you cultivate a deeper passion for Christ?

***SPECIAL NOTE:  If you (or someone you know) are struggling with lust in any way, know that there is hope and help available to you! We have many people within Magnify Church who are passionate about helping others find freedom from all kinds of sin, including the destructive power of sexual sin.

If you need help in this area, please contact us at pastors@magnifychurch.org to be connected with someone who can support you in your pursuit of holiness.

• Waiting on the Lord in Suffering: Joseph had to stand firm without knowing the whole story. He was not certain of the outcomes. He didn’t know all the facts. But through patience, courage, and hope he endured.
  • How would you define “patience in suffering”? Have you experienced this before? If so, how?
  • What does courage look like whenever you are facing trials?
  • How does having hope in Jesus enable you to have peace and security in life’s difficult circumstances?

TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION

• Identify an area of bitterness or self-pity.
•  Confess and remove a source of sexual temptation.
• Ask God to show you His presence in the midst of your circumstances. Start with Scripture.