Joseph was a teenager with character. Today we are surrounded with apathy, dishonesty, and compromise. Strong character is essential for spiritual success. As a teen, Joseph was hit in the face with hatred, mistreatment, lies, temptations, undeserved punishment, and gross misunderstanding. How did he handle all this? Joseph kept his focus on God and refused to get angry or bitter.
Godly character was as uncommon in Joseph's day as it is today. Our ultimate goal as Christians is to become just like Jesus Christ. God gives us many examples in Scripture that we can learn from to achieve Christlikeness or Christlike character. This section of our Bible study will concentrate on Joseph's family and home situation. Good kids come from good homes or bad homes. The consistency of good parents gives us the desire to follow their examples of godliness and God-pleasing living. The consistency of wickedness in the home often develops a driving desire to be different in the heart of a teen. Either way, each one of us can be just as close to God as we want to be. There is no excuse to live a life without godly character. We all make independent choices every day. Joseph was definitely different than many of those in his family. Let's see what we can learn about how Joseph overcame a very difficult home situation. I trust this section will give each of you hope that regardless of your background you can still live a victorious, God-pleasing life.
Monday, August 4, 2008
A Walk with a Resurrected Man - Part 3 - Devo for 08/06/08
Reading
John 21:15-25
Responsive Questions
1. How does it help to know that you can still serve and glorify God no matter what your past failures have been?
2. What does Jesus' rebuke to Peter (v. 22) reveal about the danger of comparing ourselves with other Christians?
3. Picture Jesus saying these things to you. How would you respond, or what would the words mean in the context of your life?
* "Do you truly love me?"
* "Take care of my sheep."
* "You must follow me."
Applying Chapter 21 in Your Life
1. As you have studied John's Gospel, what aspects of Jesus' character or ministry have impressed you most?
2. What responses have you made in your heart and life as a result of that deeper understanding?
John 21:15-25
Responsive Questions
1. How does it help to know that you can still serve and glorify God no matter what your past failures have been?
2. What does Jesus' rebuke to Peter (v. 22) reveal about the danger of comparing ourselves with other Christians?
3. Picture Jesus saying these things to you. How would you respond, or what would the words mean in the context of your life?
* "Do you truly love me?"
* "Take care of my sheep."
* "You must follow me."
Applying Chapter 21 in Your Life
1. As you have studied John's Gospel, what aspects of Jesus' character or ministry have impressed you most?
2. What responses have you made in your heart and life as a result of that deeper understanding?
A Walk with a Resurrected Man - Part 2 - Devo for 08/05/06
Reading
John 21:15-25 (this passage is for today and tomorrow)
Responsive Questions
1. What subtle differences do you notice in Jesus' three questions and Peter's responses?
2. What do you think is the significance of those differences?
3. What can we learn from this passage about the steps involved in restoring a Christian who has sinned?
4. Why do you think Jesus chooses this particular occasion to predict the kind of death Peter would die (vv. 18-19)?
John 21:15-25 (this passage is for today and tomorrow)
Responsive Questions
1. What subtle differences do you notice in Jesus' three questions and Peter's responses?
2. What do you think is the significance of those differences?
3. What can we learn from this passage about the steps involved in restoring a Christian who has sinned?
4. Why do you think Jesus chooses this particular occasion to predict the kind of death Peter would die (vv. 18-19)?
A Walk with a Resurrected Man - Part 1 - Devo for 08/04/08
Reflective Questions
Describe how you feel when someone you have hurt refuses to forgive you.
Reading
John 21:1-14
Responsive Questions
1. What is the significance of Peter's decision to return to fishing (vv. 1-3)?
2. What is Jesus trying to show the disciples by allowing them to catch such a large number of fish (vv. 4-6; see Luke 5:4-11)?
3. When Peter hears that "it is the Lord" (vv. 7-8), he jumps into the water and begins swimming ahead of the boat. What does that response reveal about Peter and his relationship with Jesus?
4. How would you have responded if you had denied Jesus just a few days earlier?
Describe how you feel when someone you have hurt refuses to forgive you.
Reading
John 21:1-14
Responsive Questions
1. What is the significance of Peter's decision to return to fishing (vv. 1-3)?
2. What is Jesus trying to show the disciples by allowing them to catch such a large number of fish (vv. 4-6; see Luke 5:4-11)?
3. When Peter hears that "it is the Lord" (vv. 7-8), he jumps into the water and begins swimming ahead of the boat. What does that response reveal about Peter and his relationship with Jesus?
4. How would you have responded if you had denied Jesus just a few days earlier?
Friday, August 1, 2008
The Son is Up! - Part 3 - Devo for 08/02/08
Reading
John 20:19-31
Responsive Questions
1. What can we learn from Jesus' encounter with Thomas about helping people who have doubts about the Christian message?
2. On what evidence do you base your belief that Jesus rose from the dead?
3. Is believing that Jesus rose from the dead as important as believing that he died on the cross for our sins? Explain why or why not.
4. John tells us why he has written his Gospel in verses 30 and 31. Of all the "miraculous signs" John has included, which have been most convincing to you, and why?
Applying Chapter 20 in Your Life
Mary Magdalene wanted to hold on to Jesus, but Jesus sent her on a mission to tell others that he was alive. Who is someone you can tell about Jesus and his resurrection? Make a plan to talk with that person this week. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share the message.
John 20:19-31
Responsive Questions
1. What can we learn from Jesus' encounter with Thomas about helping people who have doubts about the Christian message?
2. On what evidence do you base your belief that Jesus rose from the dead?
3. Is believing that Jesus rose from the dead as important as believing that he died on the cross for our sins? Explain why or why not.
4. John tells us why he has written his Gospel in verses 30 and 31. Of all the "miraculous signs" John has included, which have been most convincing to you, and why?
Applying Chapter 20 in Your Life
Mary Magdalene wanted to hold on to Jesus, but Jesus sent her on a mission to tell others that he was alive. Who is someone you can tell about Jesus and his resurrection? Make a plan to talk with that person this week. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share the message.
The Son is Up! - Part 2 - Devo for 08/01/08
Reading
John 20:19-31 (read this passage today and tomorrow)
Responsive Questions
1. When Jesus appears to his disciples, what specific gifts and promises does he give them (vv. 19-23)?
2. What do you think is the significance of each gift or promise?
3. Finally, Jesus appears to Thomas (vv. 24-29). How does Thomas' attitude - both before and after Jesus appears to him - add credibility to the resurrection?
4. How does Thomas' exclamation "My Lord and my God" (v. 28) provide a fitting climax to John's Gospel?
John 20:19-31 (read this passage today and tomorrow)
Responsive Questions
1. When Jesus appears to his disciples, what specific gifts and promises does he give them (vv. 19-23)?
2. What do you think is the significance of each gift or promise?
3. Finally, Jesus appears to Thomas (vv. 24-29). How does Thomas' attitude - both before and after Jesus appears to him - add credibility to the resurrection?
4. How does Thomas' exclamation "My Lord and my God" (v. 28) provide a fitting climax to John's Gospel?
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