October 1, 2023

Brothers – Part Two – Genesis 41-45 – Rev. Justin Young

Main idea: Selfless love breaks down selfish hearts.

Genesis 41-45

  1. Joseph's Power (Genesis 41:41-57)
  2. Brothers' Journeys (Genesis 42-43)
  3. Judah's Appeal (Genesis 44)
  4. Joseph's Breakdown (Genesis 45:1-2)

Significance

  1. Selfless love breaks down our selfish hearts.
  2. Selfless loves breaks down others’ selfish hearts.


Announcements

Youth Fall Retreat - Friday, October 13 through Sunday, October 15. Parents are invited to join youth on Saturday, October 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Registration closes Sunday, October 1. More information and registration available online.

Congregational Meeting – Sunday, October 22 towards the end of the English worship.

  • The Chinese congregations will have their congregational meeting towards the end of the 9:00 a.m. service.
  • In addition to church-wide updates, members will vote on new deacons including Karen Tsai, Shuyuan Wu, and Zhendu Zhang.

Membership Class – Saturday, October 28 at the Chen’s.

50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend

  • Friday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m. – Join with others for a memorable game night in the sanctuary.
  • Saturday, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. – Celebrate the ordination of Pastor Rugang Li and Pastor Calvin Qin in the sanctuary.
  • Sunday, November 5 at 10:00 a.m. – Worship with all our congregations!

Stay updated by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.

This Week's Bible Reading

  • October 2 - Psalm 2, Judges 16
  • October 3 - Psalm 3, Judges 17
  • October 4 - Psalm 4, Judges 18
  • October 5 - Psalm 5, Judges 19
  • October 6 - Psalm 6, Judges 20

(Complete plan here.)

Growth Group Guide

🙏 This week's prayer tip: Share a structure for people to follow such as the 3-Rs (Rejoice, Repent, Request) for responding to a Scripture or truth, or the similar ACTS pattern (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, or Supplication). (source)

  1. Describe a journey (physical or metaphorical) you've had. Where did you go? What happened? What surprises did you encounter?
  2. Read Genesis 42:6-21, 43:8-9, and 44:18-34. Summarize these interactions between Joseph, the brothers, and Jacob. What has changed since Genesis 37? What hasn't changed? Who would you want to be in this narrative? Why?
  3. Judah has a radical transformation that moves Joseph to loud weeping. Do you think Joseph's response is warranted? Why or why not?
  4. Read Jesus's words in John 15:13. Have you ever seen or experienced such love? If so, how did it impact you? How can you show such love to others this week?