Passages: 1 kings 12:1-15

1 Kings 12: 1-15 : Our Own Worst Enemy & Our Greatest Friend.

Within this chapter we are introduced to the 4th king of Israel: King Rehoboam. Whilst the previous three kingships begin in humility and dependance, their end depicts three kings who ultimately got caught up in themselves.

Rehoboam from the off is caught up in himself and his desires. Within these verses we see that he is unable to LEARN, unwilling to LISTEN and incapable of LOVE. Whilst it is clear for us to see how Rehoboam is his own worst enemy, it is also true for us, his mistakes can easily creep into our own lives and so his story provides us with the pitfalls to look out for.

Thankfully this story doesn’t just reveal to us how easy it is to become our own worst enemy, it also points us in the direction of our greatest friend, Jesus. He is Thee King, who doesn’t look to wield His power, but is prepared to lose it, offering to us a relationship with God through him.

This Week’s Study Guide: Rehoboam.

Next Week’s Study Guide: Elijah

As we journey through the Bible let us ask, how does knowing this help me to become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus?

1. What does it teach me? 
2. How does it rebuke me?
3. Is it correcting something in my life?
4. What training can I put into place to help me live a righteous life?
5. How is this equipping me for every good work?

Additional questions you may wish to consider for personal study or in Life Groups.

Apply

As I reflect what have I found interesting? 

As I reflect what has challenged my life, attitudes and actions? 

Is there one practical step I can apply to my life to help me to become more like Jesus?

How would this help me to introduce others to Jesus?

Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?

Is there someone I should share with, pray with or encourage?

Passages: Genesis 37-50

As we read through the story of Joseph we see that God does not abandon His plans or His people and that He works all things for His good.

Josephs descends… Genesis: 37-40

God is in all circumstances…

In these chapters, through scheming, pride and power grabs Joseph finds himself horribly and unfairly descending to the pit.

Firstly he is cast out of his family, next he his trafficked to Egypt, then he is wrongly accused, thrown into prison (the pit) and left forgotten and alone. As we read this we can rightly begin to wonder, what is going on and where is God? However, what we see is that God is with Joseph. What is communicated to us here and throughout the book of Genesis is that God has not abandoned His people or His plans, and even in the darkest of times, He is present.

Joseph ascends… Genesis: 41-50

God is working all things for His good…

Next we see that Joseph ascends out of the pit to a position of great influence and power. This is a position where Joseph will do great good, saving many people and preventing a catastrophic famine that would have impacted many nations.

Joseph points to God as the source behind this blessing and reveals that while people can force circumstances that intend to cause harm, this will not have the final say because God, in all circumstances is working for His good.

The picture of Jesus…

This hope in God’s ultimate goodness is seen most clearly in Jesus. Through Josephs story we to see the foreshadowing of Jesus, the one who will truly be rejected and abandoned, the one who will defeat all wrong, rise to glory and extend love, forgiveness and reconciliation to the world.

Next Week

As we journey through the Bible let us ask, how does knowing this help me to become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus?

1. What does it teach me? 
2. How does it rebuke me?
3. Is it correcting something in my life?
4. What training can I put into place to help me live a righteous life?
5. How is this equipping me for every good work?

Additional questions you may wish to consider for personal study or in Life Groups.

Apply

As I reflect what have I found interesting? 

As I reflect what has challenged my life, attitudes and actions? 

Is there one practical step I can apply to my life to help me to become more like Jesus?

How would this help me to introduce others to Jesus?

Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?

Is there someone I should share with, pray with or encourage?