The Future Tribes

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

Genesis 49:1-28

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The Future Tribes — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 49:1-28
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 26, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does this theme of blessing in chapter 49 bring us back to creation? What does this tell us about God’s larger plan through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
2.   Why do Reuben, Simeon, and Levi receive such hard words of rebuke? How can this be part of a “blessing” (v. 28)?
3.   Why should Jacob’s words to the first three sons encourage us to take sin more seriously?
4.   How are vv. 8-12 a prophecy of Christ? How does this passage characterize him and his coming?|
5.   What does the prospering of Jacob’s sons, especially Joseph, teach us about God’s dealings with his people? How does this grow our faith in him?

References: Hebrews 11:21; Genesis 1:28; 35:22; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 34; 38:26; 44:33; Daniel 7:14; Psalm 2:8; Revelation 5:5, 9; John 2:1-11; Matthew 28:18; Romans 1:5; Ephesians 1:3.

The Family on the Move

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

Genesis 46:1-34

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The Family on the Move — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 46:1-34
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 5, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What is your approach towards new year’s resolutions?  What areas of growth from the Lord are you seeking as you move into a new year and decade?
2.   Why does Jacob go to Beersheba and offer sacrifices to God? How does this guide us into a new year?
3.   How does God’s message to Jacob relieve his fears?  What is Jacob’s response?
4.   In what ways have you experienced delayed comfort?  How does this story help us to endure in those seasons of life?
5.   How does the genealogy point us to Christ?
6.   Why would Jacob’s reunion with Joseph have been a time of deep joy as well as worship?
7.   Why is Goshen an ideal place for Israel and his descendants to settle?

References: Genesis 12:2; 22:1; 28:13-15; 15:13-14; 10; Romans 9:5; Matthew 1:1-3.

The Final Test

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

Genesis 44:1-34

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Due to technical difficulties, the sermon audio recorder was unable to capture Pastor Lonnie’s opening statments, starting instead with his reading of the sermon text.

The Final Test — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 44:1-34
Sermon Series: Genesis
November 17, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Where do we see the principle of reaping what you sow in this chapter?
2.   What does the collective response of tearing the clothes and returning to the city say about the growth of the family?
3.   How have you seen testing both reveal and grow your heart?
4.   Why doesn’t Judah offer a defense to Joseph concerning the silver cup? What do his words in v. 16 reveal about his attitude towards God?
5.   In what ways does Judah’s plea constitute a reversal of his past actions?
6.   Discuss how Christ is the substitute for sinners. How does this doctrine encourage us to trust, love, and serve him more?

References: Genesis 37:34; 42:21-22, 28; 1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:5-6.

Back to Buy, Guided by Grace

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

Genesis 43:1-34

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Back to Buy, Guided by Grace — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 43:1-34
Sermon Series: Genesis
November 10, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What are some of God’s attributes or characteristics that continue to be repeated in the Joseph story?   Which have most impacted you?
2.   How would you describe Jacob’s prayerful words to his sons?  What does it mean to say that we must remember in order to rely?
3.   In light of Calvin’s quote concerning Jacob’s actions, what does it look like to rely on God without being lazy?
4.   How does Judah anticipate Christ in this chapter?
5.   How have you seen God use negative circumstances in people’s lives to bring about repentance?
6.   What does Joseph intend to accomplish with his blatant favoritism towards Benjamin?

References: Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:3.

The Line of Judah

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

Genesis 38:1-30

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The Line of Judah — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 38:1-30
Sermon Series: Genesis
September 22, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does Moses put this story about Judah and Tamar at this point in Genesis? What are the respective roles of Judah and Joseph in God’s overall plan?
2.   How does Revelation 5:5 help us to appreciate the relevance of this story for our lives?
3.   Describe Judah’s moral and spiritual descent. How does his story show us that sin desensitizes us to further sin?
4.   What role does this Hirah figure play in the narrative? What impact should this have on our relationships?
5.   Compare and contrast the sins of Judah and Tamar. Why does Judah say, “She is more righteous than I” (v. 26)? How do these words give us hope about Judah’s future?
6.   How does this narrative show God’s preservation and electing grace towards his covenant people? How does it show his hatred and judgment towards sin?

References: Revelation 5:5; Proverbs 13:20; Deuteronomy 25:5-6; Genesis 39:2.

Enslaved In Egypt

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

Genesis 37:12-36

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Enslaved In Egypt — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 37:12-36
Sermon Series: Genesis
September 15, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does the context of this story show us the relationship between sin, the heart, and our actions?
2.   How do the mysterious “man” and the mention of Dothan encourage us to trust in God when facing danger?
3.   What details in the text tell us that the brothers are fighting against God?
4.   Discuss the wickedness and cruelty of the brothers’ actions against Joseph. How did this backfire on them at home?
5.   How does the method of deception used by the brothers remind us that we reap what we sow?
6.   How does this passage end in a hopeful way? How does this encourage us as we face trials?

References: Matthew 5:21-22; 1 John 3:15; 2 Kings 6:16; Genesis 42:21; 2 Samuel 12:23; Psalm 105:16-17.

Jacob's Offspring

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

Genesis 29:31 - 30:24

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Jacob’s Offspring — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 29:31-30:24
Sermon Series: Genesis
June 30, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What is your initial reaction to this story?  How would it have encouraged the Israelites to be humble?
2.  How would you describe the motives of Leah and Rachel?  How does this story help us to see the effects of idolatry on our lives?
3.  Where do we see the evidence of faith in this family?  How does this encourage us as believers?
4.  Which attributes of God are highlighted in this text?  How does understanding these attributes help us better relate to God?
5.  What purposes of God are being worked out through this narrative?  In what ways does it point to Christ?

References: Genesis 28:12-15; Philippians 2:3; Genesis 2:24; Psalm 127:3; 103:11-14; Romans 2:4; Revelation 5:5-6.