The Blessing of the Adopted Sons

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

Genesis 48:1-22

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The Blessing of the Adopted Sons — Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 48:1-22
Sermon Series: Genesis
January 19, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How have the narratives of Genesis changed or informed your understanding of faith? How does Hebrews 11 in particular aid our reading of these stories?
2.   What is the significance of the interchange of “Jacob” and “Israel” in v. 2?
3.   Why does Jacob begin his dialogue with Joseph by quoting God’s words from chapter 35?
4.   What makes Joseph’s desire to bring his sons to Jacob so remarkable given his position in Egypt? What does this teach us about worldly attainments?
5.   Discuss how faithfulness and faith are woven together in vv. 8-16. How does Jacob’s pronouncement of blessing over the two sons (vv. 15-16) provide insight into the Christian life?
6.   Why does God choose to carry his blessing forward by means of the younger son throughout Genesis?

References: Genesis 12:1-9; Romans 4:18-22; Hebrews 11:1, 13; Genesis 35:11-12; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Genesis 5:24; 6:9; Hebrews 11:21.

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.

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.

The God of Jacob

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

Genesis 28:1-22

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The God of Jacob — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Genesis 28:1-22
Sermon Series: Genesis
June 9, 2019

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What are some names of God in the Bible that have most impacted you?  Why do you think God chooses to be known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
2.  How would you describe Isaac’s mindset at the beginning of chapter 28? How should this affect our attitude towards the past?
3.  What does the image of the ladder communicate to Jacob? How does Christ appropriate this imagery in John 1:51?
4.  How does this passage increase our understanding of the role of angels in our lives?
5.  What are the major elements of God’s promise to Jacob? How have we seen these promises play out in the lives of Abraham and Isaac?
6.  Discuss Jacob’s response. Would you characterize it as one of faith?

References: Genesis 16:13; 17:1; 22:14; 26:24; Exodus 3:15; Acts 3:13; Psalm 46:7; 75:9; 81:1; Isaiah 2:3; 2 Samuel 23:1; Genesis 27:33; 17:1; 12:2; 1:28; 24:7; Hebrews 1:14; Jude 24; John 1:51.