INTRODUCTION

God clearly has different criteria for selecting heroes than we do. In these next weeks we will explore the specific details about some of the heroes found throughout the Bible. We will learn that they became heroes despite their weaknesses because they chose to trust in God. Throughout this series the Lord will invite us to look at others differently. Last week we learned about a man who trusted God in a moment at the end of his life. This week we will look at a man who faithfully trusted God over a significant amount of time. There’s much for all of us to learn from all of these examples. The most important person that we need to look at differently is ourself. Let’s take a courageously honest look at how we can also become heroes of the faith in our own situations and challenges.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What are traits you had as a child that you have intentionally worked to eliminate from your life?
2. When you have been chosen, ahead of others, do you naturally have empathy or awareness of how they are affected by you having been selected? Explain.
3. Philippians 1:6 says that we can be confident or certain that God started a good work in us and will continue that work until it is finished. How confident are you in your part of that process? How confident are you in God’s role in that process in your life?
4. What are some pits, prisons, and broken relationships you have endured or that you are currently still enduring? Please explain, if you are willing.
5. Please describe how you can/could see, feel, or experience God in the middle of those brutal seasons.
6. At the very end of Genesis Joseph said that he knew that people intended to harm him, but God intended it all for good. What encouragement do you have for others who may be going through a pit, prison, or abandonment in relationships?

MOVING FORWARD

As we look at the heroes of the faith in the Bible we will discover that God definitely did not use the same people that people would have chosen. God is the same today as He was back then. This series is all about us aligning with the perspective God has of people and how He wants to use us to accomplish His purpose. May we always be willing to expand our understanding of how God works in who He chooses to use. The message this week also sheds light on the frustration we can have when God‘s timing is far, far slower than ours would ever be. The significant length of time that Joseph served faithfully, despite the injustice and unfair twists and turns, is inspiring. We hope you are also inspired to continue to faithfully serve and believe that better days are coming if you are enduring a long, difficult season.