Think about your favorite (or least favorite) roller coaster. Does it have lots of ups and downs, loops, and twists and turns? Sometimes, life can feel a lot like a roller coaster. We’re faced with different seasons throughout life that are just plain hard to navigate on our own. Thankfully, God offers us wisdom that guides us in all situations!
WISDOM: An Understanding of God's Truth That Guides My Actions
MEMORY VERSE: “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." JAMES 3:17 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: Wisdom Guides Us in All Situations
This week, we are talking about a guy in the bible named Joseph. No, it’s not Jesus’ earthly father…this is a different Joseph. His story is found all the way from Genesis chapter 37 – 50, which is a LOT, so let’s hit some highlights. Buckle up, because here we go!
- Joseph was the second youngest of Jacob’s 12 sons. His brothers don’t like him very much and decided to throw him into a well and sold him to some Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt as a slave.
- Joseph was sold to “Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh…captain of the palace guard” (Gen. 37:36 NLT). Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything in his household and Joseph relied on God’s wisdom to know how to take care of everything Potiphar owned. BUT, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of doing something he didn’t do, so he got thrown into prison.
- In prison, God gave Joseph wisdom to correctly interpret two other prisoners’ dreams. One of them died, but the other one was released and got his old job back as one of Pharaoh’s right hand men.
- Pharaoh had a confusing dream, and sent for Joseph so he could interpret his dream. Again, Joseph relied on God’s wisdom to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. As a result, Pharaoh made Joseph second in command of all of Egypt!
Whew! Joseph was in many situations in many different places, from Potiphar’s house, to prison, to the palace, and God gave Joseph wisdom in each and every situation. In what situation(s) do you need God’s wisdom?
Family Questions:
- Read Genesis 39:1-6. Who was responsible for blessing Potiphar’s house? (God gave Joseph wisdom to run the house well & blessed his work)
- Read Genesis 39:19-23. Who helped Joseph while he was in prison? How? (God gave Joseph the wisdom to help run the prison and take care of other prisoners.)
- Read Genesis 40:8 Who did Joseph give the credit to when Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker needed their dreams interpreted? How do you know Joseph didn’t rely on his own wisdom? (He gave God the credit and knew the Lord was with him.)
- Read Genesis 41:14-16. How did Joseph show that he relied on God for wisdom? (He kept giving God the credit and he shared with Pharaoh the wisdom God gave him.)
- Read Genesis 41:37-44. What did God do for Joseph through Pharaoh? (Pharaoh made him 2nd in command in all of Egypt. Joseph went from the dungeon to the palace!)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
READ GENESIS 45:3-11 How did God help Joseph respond with the wisdom our memory verse, James 3:17, talks about? (He was merciful and forgave his brothers, wanted to be at peace with them, gave them land and told them to come live in Egypt to be saved from the famine.) Talk about ways you can respond to each other as a family (parent/child, siblings, cousins, etc.) with the wisdom God gives as described in our memory verse.
Friend: Drive Time
Throughout his life, Joseph gave God credit for giving him wisdom and taking care of him. What are some things you are really good at? Spend time talking about how you can give God credit for those things, even when you’re tempted to trust your own wisdom or take credit for yourself. You can even thank God for the things you see in each other’s lives.
Counselor: Bedtime
Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” God’s wisdom guides us in all situations. Talk about your life and where you go each week…each day. (with family and friends, at home, at church, at school, at practice) No matter where you are or who you’re with, God can give you wisdom to know how to make choices that honor Him. Pray and ask Him for that wisdom now.
Coach: Anytime
Check out the Significant Summer Calendar and Activity Book for this week’s National Hot Dog Day (July 19th) challenge! See who in your family can come up with the most creative challenge or activity for National Give Something Away Day (July 15th), National Sour Candy Day (July 18th) and do that activity as a family! For example: make a grab bag of mixed sour candies from a fun candy store to snack on as a family, go through your closet and pick out clothes that are too small or that you never wear and pick an organization to donate them to (check out Watermark’s ministry partners by clicking here OR check out other summer service opportunities here!), etc.
Prayer
Thank God for where the He has led you in your life. Thank Him for never leaving you throughout your journey. Ask Him for wisdom in the areas of your life you’re most likely to try to rely on yourself.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue the month of July with the godly character trait, WISDOM. We will learn that seeking wisdom leads us to trust in Jesus.
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