Better Future
Better For It, Pt. 4
Every time we gather as a group, these are some ways we ensure the best group discussion:
We make the circle safe by staying honest and transparent - leave the masks at the door.
We keep it inside the circle. Each person’s story is theirs alone to share.
We look to the Bible for wisdom and truth, and work together to let it shape how we see the world.
We don’t try to fix each other in front of each other or give unsolicited advice. We lovingly save hard conversations for private moments.
We respect each others’ time by starting and ending when we say we will.
We believe that in Jesus Christ, there is hope for everyone.
Episode 1: Lost
Genesis 37:2-8 (NLT)
When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks... But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.
Jacob (Joseph’s father) loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.
One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”
His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.
Principle #1
God does have a plan for our lives and He has a much better view from above.
Brennan Manning
May all your expectations be frustrated, may all your plans be thwarted, may all your desires be withered into nothingness, that you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child and sing and dance in the love of God who is the Father, Son and Spirit.
Episode 2: Gladiator
Principle #2
God’s plan is focused on WHO more than DO.
Genesis 39:2-3, 6
The Lord was with Joseph…
Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph...
So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Fellowship of the Unashamed
I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made. I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST.
I won’t look back, let up, slow down or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience. I am uplifted by prayer and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till he stops me. And when he returns for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me.
My banner will be clear.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes”
Episode 3: 50 Shades Darker
Genesis 39:6-7, 21
Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love.”
Principle #3:
God is always with you… working in the dark.
Psalm 121:4-5 (NLT)
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
Episode 4: Inception
Genesis 45:3-5, 8a, 20 (NLT)
“I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. “Come over here,” he said. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt.
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
Don’t forget to check out this week’s Better Future Workshop and talk about it as a group! Remember, it’s ALL about putting what we learn into practice!
Start with M.U.D.
Memorable + Understandable + Doable
What was the most memorable part of the message or service this weekend for you personally? Why?
Did anything you heard challenge or influence how you think about God or your life?
How can what you learned influence or change how you live in everyday life? What tangible steps would it take to make that change a reality?
Additional Questions
There are plenty of opinions in the world about how God’s plan, fate, destiny, random chance, karma, coincidence, free will, etc. play out in our lives. And there’s good reason for that - it’s incredibly challenging to make sense of the pain in our lives and in the world.
Think back throughout your life and time as a Christ-follower: how has your understanding of “God’s plan” developed and changed over time?
Do you have any clear and memorable moments where God’s plan didn’t make any sense in the midst of immense pain?
How have those views or moments helped or hurt your relationship with God?
God’s plan is focused on WHO more than DO. Joseph fought for his integrity and character even when it’d be easier to just do what was easy.
Have there been any moments in your life that you had to clearly choose between your character and your comfort, convenience, or something else? What were the consequences of that choice?
What has this season of Covid taught you about your own character? How do you think God has been trying to shape and grow your character over the last year and how have you responded?
Do you have a compelling vision of WHO God is calling you to become personally? Where do we find that vision and how do we keep it before ourselves consistently?
Joseph was punished unjustly for doing the right thing when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. God was still working, but it was in the dark.
What can we do before these dark moments to prepare us spiritually? How can we preemptively strengthen our faith so that when a moment like this comes our way, we can respond like Joseph did?
Joseph waited 13 years for God’s promise to him to come to fruition in a tangible way. God isn’t finished writing our stories, whether we see where it’s headed or not.
What unfinished or unredeemed story in your life do you need hope for right now?
How might God be working in the dark to redeem that story and build your character? What part can you play in that right now?
Better Future Workshop / “90-Day Vision Work” Questions
Watch the Better Opportunities Workshop →
Are you more likely to be stuck with a compelling vision for the future and no concrete plan OR stuck with a daily grind of deliverables and no compelling vision to energize you toward the finish line?
What “domain” of your life do you need an aspirational vision to be “better for it”? (mental, physical, social, spiritual, financial, parenting, marriage, vocation, ministry, etc)
What accountability do you need to make this happen in the next 90 days? Who do you need to tell, and how do you need them to encourage and check in on you?
