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November 11, 2007 "Joseph's Dream
Began to Come True" |
Welcome to the St. Martin's Prime Timers Adult Bible Fellowship!
Come on down to the Payne Education Center, rooms 207-209, after the 9am Sunday Service, from 10:10 to 10:50am. We are studying the Book of Genesis for the next couple months, and you are invited to explore with us!
The St. Martin's Adult Bible Fellowships (ABF's) are following a course of study based on the work of the Committee on the Uniform Series, also known as the International Lessons. Bible students around the world are using this same framework, and so can you!
Prime Timers Good News
At the beginning of our class we spend time hearing our members Good News. Presenting this news requires a $1 donation to our Good News chicken, Henny Penny. Currently we are donating this money to the Amistad Mission in Bolivia, a Christian partnership between North Americans and Bolivians for the benefit of children in need.
Today Richard blessed his grandchildren, who are moving to Colorado. Sounds like Richard has a nice new vacation home! Lynne came to class with Egyptian theme jewelry to remind us that her daughter is leaving for a visit to Cairo, Egypt!
Esau and Jacob Reconciled
Our teacher for October is Richard Cruse. He is taking us on a journey through the stories of the Patriarchs in the Book of Genesis. The story so far of the twin brothers Esau and Jacob gets resolved in our reading, but Richard took the time to bring everyone up to date. Esau the hairy outdoorsman, who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew and Jacob the crafty farmer who fell in love with Rachel, only to end up married to the older Leah! Twenty years passed since Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, stole a blessing from father Isaac and left for Rebekah's brother Labans'. Jacob stayed busy, creating the twelve tribes of Israel with Rachel, Leah and an assortment of maids. Just before beginning his journey home Jacob sends a peace offering ahead to Esau, and later that night wrestles with a man, and when neither prevails Jacob is renamed Israel (Genesis 32:28) "...for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed."
Now he is headed home, he's wealthy but he's worried about what his brother Esau will do when they meet. Jacob divides his family into several groups, with the maidservants in front, Leah next and finally the beloved Rachel. Esau comes with four hundred men, but rather than a murderous rage he embraces Jacob, they kiss and weep. Esau is successful just as Jacob, who insists Esau keep the peace offering.
This story shows us how families can get bent all out of shape and yet come together in the end. How often have you built up a potential confrontation in your mind, only to have it turn into something else entirely?
Peace be with you!
Prime Timers Contact names and numbers
Mentor
Rev. B. Massey Gentry
mgentry@stmartinsepiscopal.org
Leaders
Anne Berry
832/251-8868 H
anne.berry@comcast.net
Max Kech
713/802-0690 H
maxkech2003@yahoo.com
Marty Smith
713/464-6737 H
martys47@comcast.net
Teachers
Richard Cruse
Pete Seale
Ben Welmaker
bhwjr@flash.net
Outreach (inviting and welcoming new members)
Anne Berry
832/251-8868 H
anne.berry@comcast.net
Elizabeth Sleeper
jsleeperjr@comcast.net
Ben Welmaker is our teacher for the month of November.
Joseph Receives His Father and Brothers in Egypt, by Salomon de Bray, 1655, Oil on canvas, in a Private collection.
The Lesson for Sunday, November 11th is titled "Joseph's Dream Began to Come True"
Key Verse: Genesis 41:39
Focus of the Lesson: God's purposes are sometimes fulfilled in amazing ways. How, for example, did God work through Joseph to fulfill divine promises made to the covenant people? God gave Joseph the ability to interpret a dream for Pharaoh, who responded by elevating Joseph to a position of power, just as Joseph himself had dreamed.
The reading is Genesis 41:25-40. This text is from the New International Version. (NIV)
Background Scripture: Genesis 41:25-45
25Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
28"It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
33"And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
37The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God"
39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."
NIV
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