Part 4 – When Your Dream Comes True
Leader Guide
We strive so hard to get that promotion, achievement, or acclaim. But what comes next? Is it disappointment or disorientation? Even when we are pursuing God’s purposes in our lives, we can be left without vision or a next step. We learn this week that God is never done with us. We learn how to finish well, continuing in our service, giving all the glory to God.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Have you ever had a dream (maybe childhood wish or bucket list trip) that has come true for you? How did you feel at that moment?
2. What do you do when your dreams come true? What did you think about this comment: “Most worldly dreams are just not all that satisfying”? Read Genesis 45:4-7. What does Joseph know about himself and his purpose? What do you sense about his attitude and his mental / spiritual health?
Leader Note: As we heard in the message, once you “achieve” a personal goal or dream, it’s easy to become hopeless or depressed. It often isn’t all it was “cracked up” to be. Joseph clearly remembers it was his brothers who sold him into slavery, yet he also states (twice!) that it was God who sent him there! He is polite (“come here, please”), not regal. He is solicitous of them: he doesn’t want them to be distressed or even angry with themselves. He is confident in God and his own placement enough to reassure them. He has an ongoing purpose. He is not proud, blasé, or bored with his assignment.
3. Allow your achievement to glorify God. Read Genesis 45:8-11. What is Joseph’s position and relationship to Pharaoh? Do you sense pride or false modesty in him? When and how does he give glory to God? Consider: Are you tempted to exhibit false modesty to cover pride? Or do you give outright glory to God when you are praised or congratulated? Action step: Check your social media; see if God got any of the glory in your feed for that promotion, new job, new baby, engagement, success.
Leader Note: Joseph starts out: GOD SENT ME HERE. Then describes his position, his close relationship with Pharaoh, and his vast ability to provide for his father’s entire family. Again, as he asks his brothers to report back to his father, he stresses: Tell my father that God has made me lord (ruler) over all Egypt. He makes it plain: “this was all God, not me.”
4. Allow your achievement to serve others. Look again at Genesis 45:5 and 7. What would it look like for you to adopt the mentality of a servant? Where can you give away the influence, the prestige, your time, or your resources? Who is the true Servant, whom Joseph foreshadows?
Leader Note: Serving for personal glory and with pride is not true servanthood, but arrogance. Jesus is the ultimate Servant. Joseph is a precursor or “type” of rescuer of God’s people, foreshadowing the coming Suffering Servant.
5. Allow your achievement to be a chapter in a bigger story. Although this seems to be the top of the mountain, the climax of the story, Joseph continued to serve the Lord, the Egyptians, and his family. Where have you said: “The best is in the past”? Is that the truth, professionally, physically, relationally? What is still ahead for you?
Leader Note: Joseph went on to feed and distribute food to most of the known world for the next five years. He reunited and reconciled with his family; and more. But his journey was never over. Neither is yours. Your best days are ahead of you! To be clear, your worldly achievements and “best days” might be behind you, but God. You can walk more closely with God, be in His presence, and find peace and joy in Him. Even if your marriage ended, you failed at that business venture, or your health is gone, it is not over.
6. Pray: The last thing Jesus said was, “It is finished.” And even that was not the end, so if you are still breathing, your best days of walking with God are ahead of you!
Father, give us a passion to follow You, to pursue Your dreams. When we are blessed with success, we want to bring glory to You. When we falter, we want to get up and keep pursuing Your dream for us. Our prayer is to finish well, serve more, and walk more closely with You. In the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
In the book of Nehemiah, we find another strong leader who finished well. Nehemiah was committed to God’s purpose and called the people to repentance of sin. He persevered and not only competed the wall but continued to lead the people back to God.
7. Read Nehemiah 1:1-4, 11. Who was Nehemiah? What report had he heard? What did he immediately do? What is his position? How does this give him influence?
Leader Note: The book of Nehemiah was designed initially as one book with the Book of Ezra. The modern-day equivalent to Nehemiah’s role would be a hybrid between a Chief of Staff and Director of Security for the king. While serving in his role, his brothers came to visit him, telling him of the desolation of Jerusalem. Nehemiah immediately began to pray, then he used his God-given influence to have a conversation with the King to restore Jerusalem.
8. Read Nehemiah 1:4, 2:5, 2:17, and Nehemiah, Chapter 3. What situations and problems in the world break your heart? What was Nehemiah’s response to the news about his people, and the walls around Jerusalem? What was his next step?
Leader’s Note: Again, Nehemiah’s response was to fast, pray, and seek God for wisdom and guidance. When he was before the king, he was very detailed and clear on what he asked for. In Chapter 13, Nehemiah specifically calls out to God as he cleanses Jerusalem.
9. Read Nehemiah 1:6-7, Jeremiah 29:11, and 1 Peter 2:9-12. Throughout the rebuilding of the wall, what obstacles did the people and Nehemiah face? How did they prevail? How does this help you finish strong and persevere?
Leader’s Note: Jeremiah 29:11 is part of the promises of God before they entered exile in Babylon, saying they would return to Jerusalem. Nehemiah realized through prayer and seeking God that it was not lack of resources or organization. The root issue was sin. The Bible is clear that the majority of our global issues are sin. Once they repented, they were able to finish the wall in just 52 days.
10. Read Nehemiah 1:11, 2:2-5, 9, and Ephesians 2:10. Remember where Nehemiah was positioned, as a cupbearer to the king. Where has God placed you to make a difference and fulfill your God-given purpose and vision? Can you imagine favor and victory in your God-ordained task?
Leaders Note: Ephesians 2:10 reminds us we are created for good works that God prepared beforehand. John 15:16 reminds us God chose us to bear fruit, and when we pray in line with God’s will, God will give! Nehemiah was positioned (and took advantage) in a relationship with the king, who could grant protection and supplies for the task.