Monday, October 19, 2009

True Faith Leads us to Wait Patiently (Hebrews 11)

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

1. Who is a person who you admired for the way they lived at the end of their life? What are some lessons you learned from watching that person?

2. Why do you think leaving Egypt was important to Joseph? (read Genesis 50:24-25) Why do you think he wanted his bones carried out of Egypt?

When God finally delivered Israel from Egypt 400 years later, He was foreshadowing the work of Jesus on the cross. Israel's deliverance from Egypt is symbolic of our delivery from sin.

3. What kinds of sins do people you know need to be delivered from? What keeps them from finding their way out of their sin?

4. Tell your group about someone you know who has been delivered from a difficult sin. How has that person inspired you?

5. Think about a situation in your life you would like God to deliver you from. If you desire, share with the group.

By reminding his family that they would someday leave Egypt, Joseph was setting an example of faith.

6. How should you act while you wait for God's deliverance? What should you do (or not do)? What if you never see God's deliverance?

7. What is God speaking to you through the story of Joseph? How can the group help you this week?

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