Exalted Over Egypt

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 41:38-57

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Exalted Over Egypt — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 41:38-57
Sermon Series: Genesis
October 27, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does the story of Joseph reassure us that there are answers to all of life’s “what” and “why” questions? How are we tempted to think otherwise?
2.   What makes Joseph’s exaltation so remarkable? How does it increase our confidence that nothing is impossible with the Lord?
3.   How does the time of fruitfulness bring us back to Genesis 1-3? What does it say about God?
4.   Discuss how Joseph’s character is presented in this narrative. Where do we see his faith?
5.   How does the end of this passage point us back to God’s promise to Abraham and forward to the fulfillment in Christ?

References: Genesis 41:16, 25, 28, 32; Ephesians 1:17; Exodus 31:3; Proverbs 2:6; Genesis 50:20; 12:3.

From the Prison to the Pharaoh

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 41:1-37

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From the Prison to the Pharaoh — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 41:1-37
Sermon Series: Genesis
October 13, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What makes the story of Joseph so compelling? What does it teach us about the nature of God’s providence?
2.   What do we observe here about God’s timing? How does this help us in times of waiting?
3.   How are Joseph and the magicians contrasted?  What would this have communicated to Pharaoh and the Egyptians?
4.   What positive effects of God’s testing do we see in Joseph? How does this encourage us to rejoice during trials?
5.   How does this story anticipate the in-gathering of the Gentiles through Christ?

References: Psalm 105:20; 1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4; Genesis 12:3; Romans 15:12; Revelation 5:9; Ephesians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:16.

Safe and Sound

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 33:1-20

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Safe and Sound — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 33:1-20
Sermon Series: Genesis
August 11, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   In what ways is this passage a climax?
2.   What does it mean to say that God may weaken us in order to prepare us?
3.   What does Esau’s attitude towards Jacob tell us about God’s workings?
4.   Where do we see Jacob’s folly in this story? What does it mean to say that God folds our folly into his faithfulness?
5.   Why is it necessary for Jacob to remain separate from Esau?
6.   How do the final verses connect us back to Abraham, and why is this important?

References: Genesis 27:41; 32:6; 28:15; Ephesians 3:20; Genesis 32:11; 12:6.

A New Name, A New Man

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Genesis 32:22-32

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A New Name, A New Man— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 32:22-32
Sermon Series: Genesis
August 4, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What are some of the questions that immediately come to your mind as you read through this narrative?
2.  Why is it significant that Jacob is alone?
3.  Discuss the fact that God responds to Jacob’s earlier prayer in a surprising and uncomfortable way. What does this teach us about the Christian life?
4.  What other passages of Scripture help us understand the identity of the one who wrestles with Jacob?How would such passages have prepared God’s people for the Incarnation?
5.  How does this story show that the Lord is personal and responsive in how he relates to us?
6.  What does this event accomplish in Jacob’s life? How should this story affect the way we view our wounds and weaknesses?

References: Genesis 33:3; Hosea 12:3-4; Genesis 16:13; 22:16; 18:2; John 14:8-9; Genesis 18:32; Zechariah 4:6; 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10.