Out of the Pit - Relationships Restored
As he reunites with his brothers, Joseph is presented with the opportunity to determine the future of their relationships - will they be his brothers or his slaves? In his response, we find inspiration for how forgiveness can lead to seasons of relational peace.
Foundational Scripture: Genesis 46-50
Out of the Pit - Purpose in the Pain
Stacia Hejeebu walks us through what is possibly the most beautiful chapter in the book of Genesis and helps us see our lives, both the good and the pain, in light of God’s greater story.
Foundational Scripture: Genesis 44-45
Out of the Pit - The Dreamer
After 20 long years, the dream that God gave Joseph when he was just 17 years old becomes a reality in his life. Whether we have to wait 2 months or 20 years, what should we do with the dreams God has placed in our hearts?
Foundational Scripture: Genesis 42-43
Out of the Pit - Panel Discussion
Out of the Pit - God Can Grow Good Things in the Pit
Joseph is finally lifted out of the pit and is given the opportunity to enjoy honor, wealth, a family, and fulfillment in his work. As he reflects on that last 13 years in “the pit”, he names his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, reminding us of the truth that God can grow beautiful things in the soil of suffering.
Foundational scripture: Genesis 41:41-57
Out of the Pit - Emptied and Exalted
This is it, Joseph’s big break! He has finally been brought out of the pit and he suddenly has a huge bargaining chip. He alone can interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. But instead of leveraging his gifts for his own benefit, Joseph responds with a surprising posture that will challenge us to consider how we view our own gifts, abilities, and relationships with others.
Foundational Scripture: 41:1-40
Out of the Pit - Waiting Well
Most of us hate waiting. We jump lines at the grocery store, we avoid traffic using all the latest apps, we multitask while we’re on hold with customer service. Waiting is never fun but waiting on God to move in our lives can be downright painful. Joseph spends year after year as a slave and prisoner, longing for freedom, longing for God to move in his life and change his circumstances. But even in the midst of his waiting, Joseph discovered the secret to avoiding bitterness and even thriving.
Foundational Scripture: Genesis 40
Out of the Pit - Integrity in Adversity
Joseph’s life continues to be impacted by the sinful choices of others. His circumstances have now been shaped by the lies, hatred, jealousy, lust, and greed of those close to him. But even through slavery, temptation, and wrongful imprisonment, Joseph maintains his integrity.
Foundational Scripture: Genesis 39
Out of the Pit - Peaks and Pits
What do we do when we fall into the pit and God seems to be silent? We cry out like King David, “Where are you, God?!” In the void of that silence we can quickly lose our footing and slip far from God but there is a simple but profound act that gives us humility on the peaks and hope in the pit.
Foundational Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36; Psalm 13
Out of the Pit - When Relationships Unravel
Joseph’s story begins with his relationships. And, like most of us, we learn that Joseph has both loving and contentious relationships in his life. As we see some of Joseph’s relationships tragically unravel, we will step back and take an inventory of our relationships - both with God and with others.
Foundational Scripture: Genesis 37:1-11; Mark 12:30-31
Out of the Pit - Series Intro
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a pit then you are in good company with the men and women of the Bible. This semester we are going to search for hope and practical truth together as we study the story of Joseph, a man who know a lot about life in the pit.
Foundational Scripture: Luke 6
Transformed - Living Sacrifices
As we conclude our Transformed series, we return to Paul’s challenge to respond to God’s mercy by giving our lives over to him as a living sacrifice. Is it possible that real life is on the other side of laying our lives down?
Foundational Scripture: Romans 12:19-21
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.
Transformed - Revenge, Forgiveness, and Blessing
Revenge is sweet. Or is it? As counterintuitive as it may seem, what if blessing our enemies is the way to real healing?
Foundational Scripture: Romans 12:19-21
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.
Transformed - Giving Up on Getting Even
As we approach the end of this semester and cover the final verses of Romans 12, we are going to see that some of the most distinct marks of transformation in our lives will be seen in the way we relate to those who have wronged us.
Foundational Scripture: Romans 12:17-18
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.
Transformed - The Power of Presence
Guest speaker Marja Humphrey breaks down Romans 12:13-17 revealing the power our presence has on the lives of those around us.
Foundational Scripture: Romans 12:13-17
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.
Transformed - Affliction, Prayer, and Hope
How do we keep moving forward when life gets really, really hard? In this episode, Jess interviews her mentor, Stacia Hejeebu, who speaks with wisdom and authenticity about suffering, prayer, hope, and the transformation that is possible in our lives when we allow our pain to draw us closer to God.
Foundational Scripture: Romans 12:11-12
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.
Transformed - Love and Honor
Guest speaker, Kathy Petersen, paints a picture of genuine love and calls us to consider who how we can extend that genuine love to those around us.
Foundational Scripture: Romans 12:9-10
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.
Transformed - Gifted
In this episode, guest speaker Peggy Wolf, a self declared “Quality Time ENFJ,” helps us better understand how God has gifted each of us in unique and beautiful ways for the benefit of the whole body. Peggy lovingly challenges us to stop wasting time wishing we had someone else’s gifts and get to work using the gifts He has given us for His glory and for our good.
Foundational Scripture: Romans 12:3-8
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.
Transformed - One Body
Blogger and guest speaker Ashley Tieperman unpacks the next section of Romans 12, reflecting on the beauty and complexity of the body of Christ.
Scripture: Romans 12:4-5
Check out this week’s Dig Deep column written by Ashley, at ashleytieperman.com.