September 23, 2024
The Story | Where Is God When Bad Things Happen? | Chapter 3
Beginnings: How God Got Things Started, A Chosen People.
Joseph was Jacob’s favourite son with God-given dreams for the future. And then life went horribly wrong for him: his brothers betrayed him, he became a slave in Egypt, and ended up in prison. Where was God when all of this was going on? God was working everything together to save lives, save a family, and save Joseph himself.
Songs for this week: Spotify
Chapter 3: Genesis 45:1-14
- Why did Joseph’s brothers want to get rid of him?
- Where was God when Joseph was suffering as a slave and a prisoner? What does that tell us about who God is?
- In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells his brothers: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. What good was accomplished because of Joseph’s suffering?
- Where have you seen God work through hopeless and difficult situations to bring about good?
- What answer would you give to a spiritually curious, unchurched friend who asked you, “Where is God when bad things happen?”
Share with a friend
Recent Sermons
Mark 2:17 - Jesus came to call sinners—those who know they miss the mark. Following him begins with humility and self-awareness, not perfection.
Matthew 26:36-39 - Christian practices like prayer and Sabbath quiet the noise so we can hear God’s voice and face the deeper emotions He invites us to heal.
Mark 1:35 - Jesus modelled a life of restraint and rhythm, showing us how to live with peace and purpose even amid urgency through the practices he shared.
Luke 6:39-49 - Jesus reminds us that we all have teachers shaping us. Some lead us astray, but when we follow him, we learn to live as we were truly meant to.
Romans 12:1-2 - Jesus’ invitation is to follow him: to be with him, become like him, and do what he did. We surrender control to Jesus, resist the pattern of the world that shapes us, and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit for transformation.
Mark 1:16-18 -We begin our series on Practicing the Way—exploring how Jesus’ rhythms of prayer, fasting, solitude, and Sabbath invite ordinary people to grow in grace and intimacy with God
