Week 1

Look Back

In what ways do the year end holidays impact you emotionally?

Look Up

Read Genesis 39:1-2 and Jeremiah 29:4-9

1. How would you describe the situations that were facing the people described in these verses? How did they end up in exile and slavery? What does this say about people and God?
2. What do these verses say was the key reason that Joseph “prospered”? Do you think that Joseph recognized that God was prospering him given the circumstances he was facing? Why or why not?
3. What do these verses say that the exiled people of Israel needed to do in order to “prosper”? How is this different or the same as what Joseph needed to do?

Read Jeremiah 29:10-14 and Matthew 25-34

1. What do these verses have in common? How are they different?
2. How easy do you think it was for the Jewish exiles to accept the Lord’s message from Jeremiah? How easy is it for people today to accept this type of a message?
3. How does the Matthew passage support and reinforce Jeremiah 29:11? Try to summarize the key points from both verses in your own words.
4. How does the phrase “God knows” challenge or encourage you personally?

Overall (Discovery Bible Study)

• What do these scriptures say about God?
• What do they say about people?
• How will I apply this to my life?

Look Ahead

What do you think is the relationship between your circumstances and worry/stress? What is your #1 stress during the holiday season and how might these verses help you this year? Group Note These passages were written to and about very different audiences, facing different challenges and circumstances. However, there are common threads of direction and encouragement that are still true today. Encourage group members to be open and candid about the things that are stressing them out right now, and support them in seeking the Lord through prayer as a group.