PLOT TWIST – Week 1
Speaker: Daniel Erasmus
Worship: In preparation for Life Group or during your quiet time, listen to the worship song “Way Maker by Leeland Music”. Spend time acknowledging who God is, that He loves us and cares for us deeply. He makes a way for us where there seems to be no way, He is still performing miracles and staying true to His word. Declare who He is, over your life and over every situation you are faced with.
Check-In: As we reflect on the past week, go around the group and share how your week has been, living out the message of BELONGING. Have you been able to connect with anyone this week? Have you had someone check in with you or encourage you? Perhaps there’s something you need to share with the group today so you can allow them to support you in whatever you may be experiencing.
Bible Readings: Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28; Genesis 37:1-11; John 1:45-46; Colossians 1:16-17; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Proverbs 3:5-10
Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
What can we learn from Joseph?
Even though Joseph came from a dysfunctional family; he managed to overcome many of the challenges he faced. There are five things that stand out as examples that we can follow in our own life:
- “Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty” – Joseph saw all that happened to him as from the hand of God.
Col 1:16-17. He knew that God is sovereign and in complete control of everything that happened. Have you previously or are you currently experiencing a situation/trial in which you’re struggling, or struggled to see God’s hand? Share with the group why you think this is the case. - “Choose My Response” – We see in Joseph’s story that he did not allow his circumstances to make him a victim. He chose to live differently and chose a new way of life. Have you experienced a Plot Twist where you wish you had a different response to the situation? Share with the group what your response was and what it could’ve been.
- “Take a Long look” – It’s important to take a long view of the decisions or actions we take today. Joseph’s father Jacob made mistakes that impacted his family’s life and more especially Joseph. How we react in a situation not only affects us now but can impact our children and their children.
Share with the group:
• Have you or your family been affected by the choices of your parents?
• Has your behaviour or decision-making affected your children, siblings, or extended family? - “Look where God is working” – What is God trying to say to me through this? This is an important question to ask during a trial. 2 Tim 2:13 reminds us that even when we’re faithless, God remains faithful. Share with the group a time when God was at work even when you couldn’t see or feel it.
- “Remember God uses Trials to Shape and Strengthen our Character” – Peter 4:12-13 clearly explains how the trials we endure make us partners with Christ through the suffering. Have you been shaped or strengthened in any way by a Plot Twist in your life? Describe this experience to the rest of the group.
Check out and Prayer: Joseph trusted God with his whole life, knowing that God was in control, loved him and had the best plan for his life. As we check out, go around, and share what you still need to surrender to God and fully trust Him. Then pray for each other, committing this to God. (Proverbs 3:5)
Love God:
The memory verse for this week is Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”
For personal study, here are suggested YouVersion devotionals:
- Joseph, a Story of Reconciliation and Emotional Healing by Passages Israel
- Detours, Lessons from Joseph by Tony Evans
Love People:
During your prayer time this week, ask God to:
- Help you fully trust Him in every area of your life.
- Help you with any feelings of anger, confusion, hurt, and sadness that you may be experiencing because of a Plot Twist you’ve experienced.
- To help you identify others in your world who may need encouragement or support during a difficult time.
There are several next steps you can take on your discipleship journey over the coming weeks:
- take a step of obedience – Baptism,
- join Discipleship 101 if you are new to Christ,
- join a serve team; there are various areas where volunteers are needed.
- Sign up online via Church Center or the website.
