Week 3, January 14 - 20, 2018

This week's readings in Genesis tell the story of Joseph and how the descendants of Israel came to live in Egypt.  This week's chapters in Matthew include some of the teaching and healing that Jesus did and describes Him sending out the twelve to heal the sick and drive out demons.

Sunday, January 14, Genesis 34 - 35, Matthew 9

• Jacob was unhappy with what Simeon and Levi did in Genesis 34.  What should they have done in response to their sister being raped?
• In Genesis 35:2 Jacob had his household get rid of their foreign gods.  Why hadn't he done this sooner?  What would be a similar action on your part?
• Why did the teachers of the law in Matthew 9 think it was blasphemy for Jesus to forgive sin?
• In Matthew 9:30 why did Jesus tell the blind men He had healed not to tell anyone? Why did they spread the news anyway?
• In Matthew 9:38 Jesus told His disciples to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.  Should we be praying this now?  Are you?

Monday, January 15, Genesis 36 - 38, Psalm 8

• According to Genesis 36:6-7, why did Esau move his family away from Jacob?
• What three reasons does Genesis 37 give for Joseph's brothers hating him?
• Genesis 38 tells the story of how Judah became the father of Perez by Tamar.  Perez is in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:3, which also mentions Tamar.  Matthew only mentions a few women in Matthew, chapter 1.  Why would he draw our attention to Tamar?
• In Psalm 8 David marvels over the fact that God is mindful of human beings.  Why is He?

Tuesday, January 16, Genesis 39 - 40, Matthew 10

• Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers, but Genesis 39:2 says, "The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered."  He was then unjustly thrown into prison, but 39:20-21 says, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him."  When you face adversity how can you avoid feeling like a victim while keeping your trust in the Lord?
• In Genesis 40 where did Joseph get the confidence that he could interpret dreams?
• As Jesus sent his disciples out to heal the sick and drive out demons He told them in Matthew 10:8, "Freely you have received; freely give."  How does that command apply to you?
• Jesus told his disciples not to worry about what to say when they would be brought before governors and kings, saying "it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:20)  Under what circumstances should you expect the Holy Spirit to speak through you?
• In Matthew 10:31, Jesus said, "So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."  Why does Jesus want us to think of ourselves as valuable?

Wednesday, January 17, Genesis 41 - 43, Psalm 9

• In Genesis 41:51 Joseph named his son Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household."  What should our attitude be toward past suffering that has been overshadowed by God's blessing?
• Why did Jacob say, "Everything is against me!" in Genesis 42:36?  Was he right?
• When Joseph was eating with his brothers in Genesis 43, what caused him to leave and find a place to weep?
• Psalm 9:18 says, "But God will never forget the needy."  How does God respond to the needs of people around the world?

Thursday, January 18, Genesis 44 - 45, Matthew 11

• What was Joseph's purpose in putting his silver cup in Benjamin's sack of grain in Genesis 44?
• Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 45:8, "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."  Are you able to see God in control of your life, even when you face difficulty?
• Why did Joseph tell his brothers in Genesis 45:24, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”?
• What evidence did Jesus point to in Matthew 11 to answer the question John the Baptist was asking when he was in prison?
• Why did Jesus say it would be more bearable on the day of judgement for Sodom than for Capernaum?
• Jesus's invitation in Matthew 11:28 is, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  How does a person find rest in Jesus?

Friday, January 19, Genesis 46 - 48, Psalm 10

• What promises did God make to Jacob in Genesis 46, when he was moving his family to Egypt?
• What promise did Jacob insist that Joseph make to him before Jacob died?
• Why did Jacob cross his arms when he blessed Manasseh and Ephraim in Genesis 48?
• Psalm 10:4 describes the wicked, "in all his thoughts there is no room for God."  How does making room in your thoughts for God change the way you live?

Saturday, January 20, Genesis 49 - 50, Matthew 12

• In Genesis 49, where did Jacob say he wanted to be buried?
• In Genesis 50:20 Joseph told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good."  Why wasn't Joseph bitter toward his brothers?
• What is the meaning of Jesus's statement in Matthew 12:8, " the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath"?
• Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, "whoever does not gather with me scatters."  What does it mean to gather with Jesus?  Are you?