Outline—Philemon 1–7

1. Prayer of thanksgiving for grace (v. 5)
2. Prayer of thanksgiving for maturing (v. 6)
3. Prayer of thanksgiving for refreshment (v. 7)

Observations

• Tact is discretion or prudence in practical matters (touch), delicate perception of the right thing to say or do without offending.
• Christian tact is appropriate because you must show grace to believers and you are entitled to expect grace from believers.

Take Home Points

• Value the meaning of Christian brotherhood—to be loved (v. 5).
• Value the partnership of Christian brotherhood—to be joined (v. 6).
• Value the usefulness of Christian brotherhood—to be refreshed (v. 7).

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Outline—Genesis 48–50

1. Legacy of faith in the God of Israel (vv. 48:12–21)
2. Legacy of missional blessing (vv. 49:1–28)
3. Legacy of hope (vv. 49:29–33 & 5o:15–26)

Take Home Points

• Always act with spiritual legacy in mind. Jacob’s spiritual maturity in knowing God was evidenced by the multiplicity of Names of God. He had known God manifested through thick and thin.
• Always act with consequence in mind. Events of significance in youth have long term consequence determined by your response. The sons each took a road and did or did not repent.
• Always act with hope in mind. Make belief and hope match, just as Joseph as he commanded that his body be kept in Egypt until the promise was fulfilled and the Israelites entered their land.

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Outline—Genesis 42–45

1. Introduction (ch. 42)
2. Intermission (vv. 43:1–17)
3. Interrogation (vv. 43:18–34)
4. Instigation (vv. 44:1–5)
5. Investigation (vv. 44:6–17)
6. Intercession (vv. 44:18–34)
7. Interpretation (vv. 45:1–8)

Interwoven Lessons From These Chapters

• Observe the displays of faith:
  • Israel’s faith (Jacob’s name intermixed with the name Israel)
  • Steward’s faith
  • Judah’s faith
• Observe changes signifying repentence:
  • New spokesman
  • No jealousy
  • Self-sacrifice
  • Acknowledgement of sin (42:22)
  • Reasoning change
• Judah’s substitution—Abrahamic Covenant fulfilled:
  • Exchange of bags/debt with his half-brother
  • Provide so that Benjamin could see his father
  • Became most Christ-like of all his brothers
  • Willing to be pronounced guilty and take his half-brother’s punishment
  • Wanted to fulfill his covenant with his father

Take Home Points—Joseph’s Insights of Purpose

• Complete the mission to the end.
• Pursue a purpose larger than yourself.
• Fulfill your leadership role with humility.

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Outline—Genesis 41

1. Plainly revealed message (vv. 1–8)
2. Providentially reliable interpretation (vv. 9–32)
3. Perfectly regal endowment (vv. 33–49)
4. Properly respectful worship (vv. 50–57)

Take Home Points

• God’s timing is perfect timing.
• Do not seek to profit from distortions of the truth. Absolute truthfulness in guarding God’s honor is far more important than personal advantage.
• We too have a great task of unraveling the mysteries of life for those unfulfilled by the world’s wisdom—always point to God’s work.
• Let your life be a study of humble obedience like Joseph.

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