Jennie Allen - Restless Bible Study Guide: Because You Were Made for More

2013 Jennie Allen

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.

Author image Jessica Taylor. Used with permission.

Typesetting: Crosslin Creative

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture verses marked ESV are taken from THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION. 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Scripture verses marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE. The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission. Scripture verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture verses marked NKJV are from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture verses marked NLT are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois. All rights reserved.

ePub Edition January 2014: ISBN 978-0-8499-2246-6

CONTENTS

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET OUT OF THIS STUDY?

[Your Response]

GET HONEST

This is going to get personal, but it will be worth it. We will be dealing with the very things that make you, you. God wants to do something with those things. But until we recognize that we are made to run a race all our own, we will miss what he has for us. If you consider yourself restless, perhaps you would be willing to consider a way out, even if it is costly. Be honest with yourself and honest with God. He knows all of it anyway.

ENGAGE WITH YOUR SMALL GROUP

An important part of personal growth is community. We are going to deal with the way we view God and how we are to spend our lives individually for him. You may even need time outside of this small group to process with others your passions and gifts and purpose. Be intentional to pursue deeper conversations with others through this process.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

JOHN 8:32 NKJV

COMMIT TO BEING CONSISTENT AND PRESENT

Commit to being present at your group meetings, barring an emergency, and arrange your schedule so you do not miss any part in this journey. Have your lesson and projects finished when you come to the group meeting (except for this first one, of course).

GROUND RULES FOR GROUP DISCUSSION

BE CONCISE.

Share your answers to the questions while protecting others time for sharing. Be thoughtful. Dont be afraid to share with the group, but try not to dominate the conversation.

Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak.

JAMES 1:19 ESV

KEEP GROUP MEMBERS STORIES CONFIDENTIAL.

Many things your group members share are things they are choosing to share with you, not with your husband or other friends. Protect each other by not allowing anything shared in the group to leave the group.

RELY ON SCRIPTURE FOR TRUTH.

We are prone to use conventional, worldly wisdom as truth. While there is value in that, this is not the place. If you feel led to respond, please only respond with Gods truth and Word, not advice.

NO COUNSELING.

Protect the group by not directing all attention on solving one persons problem. This is the place for confessing and discovery and applying truth together as a group. Your group leader will be able to direct you to more help outside the group time if you need it. Dont be afraid to ask for help.

STUDY DESIGN

In the first meeting, your groups study guides will be passed out and you will work through the Getting Started lesson together. After that, each lesson in the study guide is meant to be completed on your own during the week before coming to the group meeting. These lessons may feel different from studies you have done in the past. They are very interactive. The beginning of each lesson will involve you, your Bible, and a pen, working through Scripture and listening to Gods voice. Each lesson will conclude with four projects you can do to help you further process how to live Gods Word.

Dont feel as if each lesson has to be finished in one sitting; take a few blocks of time throughout the week if you need to. The goal of this study is to dig deeply into Scripture and uncover how it applies to your life, to deeply engage the mind and the heart. Projects, stories, and Bible study all play a role in it. You may be drawing or journaling or interacting with the homeless. At each group meeting you will discuss your experience in working through that weeks lesson.

TERRIFIC RESOURCES FOR FURTHER PERSONAL STUDY

www.biblegateway.com

EBOOK INSTRUCTIONS

In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

WHO IS JOSEPH, AND WHY DOES HE MATTER?

WHO WAS JOSEPH IN HISTORY?

:: Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob (father of the twelve tribes of Israel) and his mother was Rachel.

:: From an early age, Joseph had dreams and revelations from God. He specifically dreamed that his brothers and parents would all bow down to him one day.

:: Joseph was hated by his ten older brothers, and they sold him into slavery.

:: Joseph served as a servant in the house of Potiphar.

:: Joseph was unjustly imprisoned when Potiphars wife reported him for rape.

:: With Gods revelation to Joseph through dreams, he went on to help Pharaoh lead Eygpt out of a great famine and was given tremendous authority, second only to Pharaoh himself.

WHO IS JOSEPH IN SCRIPTURE?

:: Josephs story threads through Genesis 3750.

:: Joseph serves as a prototype of Christ.

:: Joseph serves as the biggest link between the patriarchs of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and Moses and the prophets.

WHO IS JOSEPH IN GODS PLAN?

:: Joseph reveals Gods character.

:: His story shows how God provided for his people far in advance of their need. Its an inspiration and encouragement to our faith and prayers.

:: His story shows how God can work our disobedience as well as our obedience to accomplish his purposes.

:: The favor of God on Josephs life displays what it means to be called by God for a specific purpose.

:: His life shows how God is sovereign over good and evil, blessing and famine.

HOW DOES JOSEPHS LIFE ULTIMATELY POINT TO CHRIST?

:: Josephs obedience through difficulty results in the preservation of the future nation of Israel and the line of Christ. This is both a means to Christ and a picture of Christ.

:: The events of Josephs life foreshadow the role and ministry of Jesus.

:: The pictures of redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation all foreshadow the work of Christ on our behalf despite our rebellion.