Sunday, July 11th
Genesis 45:1-10
“Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him; and he cried, “Make every one go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brother, “I am Joseph; is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, I beg you.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Make hast and go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry; you shall dwell in the land of Go’shen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, you herds, and all that you have; and there I will provide for you…” (Genesis 45: 1-10)
What did you hear?
- I wonder why Joseph’s brothers didn’t recognize him? (He had a custom of dressing like the Egyptians.)
- I wonder what the brothers were thinking?
- Was Joseph mad because they sold him into slavery? Why?
- Why did God send Joseph to Egypt?
- How many years of famine are left?
- What would you be thinking if you were one of the brothers?
Monday, July 12th
Genesis 46: 1-7
“So Israel [Jacob] took his journey with all that he had, and came to Be’er-she’ba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” hen he said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt; for I will there make of you a great nation. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again; and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” Then Jacob set out from Be’er-she’ba; and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him. They also took their cattle and their goods, which they had gained in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob and all his offspring with him, his sons, and his sons’ sons with him, his daughters, and his sons’ daughters; all his offspring he brought with him into Egypt.” Genesis 46: 1-7)
- What did you hear?
- How did God talk to Jacob?
- What did God tell Jacob?
- Who and what did he take to Egypt with him?
Tuesday, July 13th
Genesis 47: 27 and Genesis 48: 8-11
“Thus Israel [Jacob] dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the land of Go’shen; and they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied exceedingly.” (Genesis 47: 27)….“When Israel saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, I pray you, that I may bless them.” Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. So Joseph brought them near him; and he kissed them and embraced them. And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not throught to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your children also.” (Genesis 48: 8-11)
- What did you hear?
- Who did Jacob meet?
- What did he want to do?
- Have you ever blessed anyone?
Wednesday, July 14th
Genesis 49: 1-2 and Genesis 49: 28
“Then Jacob called his sons, and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in days to come. Assemble and hear, O sons of Jacob and hearken to Israel your father.” (Genesis 49:1-2)…“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel; and this is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him.” (Genesis 49: 28)
- What did Jacob do? (Called his 12 sons to him to bless them each before his death. The blessing can be read in chapter 49. Each blessing is in character with each brother’s nature.)
- I wonder what happened to the sons of Jacob [Israel]?
Thursday, July 15th
Genesis 50: 15-21
“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, ‘Say to Joseph, Forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, we pray you, forgive the transgressions of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he reassured them and comforted them.” (Genesis 50: 15-21)
- What did you hear?
- What did Joseph’s brothers think might happen?
- But what did Joseph say? (He would not judge them. God brought good out of their actions that saved many lives.)
- Do you think God can bring good out of our decisions or mistakes?
- I wonder if this is the end of the story? (No! Salvation history continues to this day, until the day when God will be all in all.)
St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to encourage them to stay strong in faith. To share with them Jesus has a plan to come back someday. He will come again in all His glory and take all the faithful with Him. Stay strong, pure and love God and one another as God has loved you. We should be inspired to keep strong in our faith and encourage each other as we continue to build His kingdom and His church.
Friday, June 16:
1 Thessalonians 1:6
6 "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit."
- I wonder how we become more like Jesus.
- I wonder how we can inspire others to be more like Jesus.
Saturday, June 17:
1 Thessalonians 2:4
4 "But as we were judged worthy by God to be entrusted with the gospel, that is how we speak, not as trying to please human beings, but rather God, who judges our hearts."
- I wonder if we are entrusted the gospel, how we care of the good news given to us.
- I wonder how we foster a heart rendered to God. How can we grow in love with Jesus?