Genesis: Only the Gospel creates flourishing from failure! / Jeff Struecker

Big Idea: Only the Gospel creates flourishing from failure! 

In the Beginning: Joseph

Genesis 43:13-33

I. The conditions of flourishing. 13-21

Zebulun will live by the seashore and will be a harbor for ships, and his territory will be next to Sidon. Issachar is a strong donkey lying down between the saddlebags. He saw that his resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, so he leaned his shoulder to bear a load and became a forced laborer. Dan will judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan will be a snake by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward. I wait for your salvation, Lord. Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels. Asher’s food will be rich, and he will produce royal delicacies. Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.

II. The fruit of flourishing. 22-27

Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine beside a spring; its branches climb over the wall. The archers attacked him, shot at him, and were hostile toward him. Yet his bow remained steady, and his strong arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, and blessings of the breasts and the womb. The blessings of your father excel the blessings of my ancestors and the bounty of the ancient hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers. Benjamin is a wolf; he tears his prey. In the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the plunder.”

III. The length of flourishing. 28-33

These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this is what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.Then he commanded them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my ancestors in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hethite. The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hethite as burial property. Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried there, Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried there, and I buried Leah there. The field and the cave in it were purchased from the Hethites.” When Jacob had finished giving charges to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, took his last breath, and was gathered to his people.

Next Steps: 

• Believe: I need Jesus to forgive my failures this week. 
• Become: I will enjoy God’s goodness, no matter my circumstances.
• Be Sent: I will help someone flourish this week.

Group Discussion Questions: 

1. Describe the basic elements of human flourishing in your own words.
2. Who is the greatest example of flourishing that you know?
3. Does God define flourishing in the same way as the human definition?  Explain your answer. 
4. Are you flourishing if you’re not emotionally or spiritually healthy?
5. What impact do relationships have on a person's flourishing?
6. Can you flourish without contributing to someone else’s life?
7. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you flourish in the Gospel this week.