Leading God’s People God’s Way Lesson 5 – The Law of Process

The Law of Process Leaders develop daily, not in a day James 1:2-4 “ 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Have you ever faced trials or tests in your life? What was your attitude or response to those trials? b) We talked about how becoming a better leader is a process much like an athlete training to compete in the Olympic Games. What are some of the things you are doing and learning to become a better leader?

1600 Our Story in History 1900 Jacob marries Leah c BC Jacob dies at age 147 c BC Joseph is born to Jacob & Rachael c BC Joseph has dreams and is sold into slavery by his brothers at age 17 c BC Children of Israel in Egypt Jacob goes to Haran to escape his brother c BC AbrahamMoses c. = circa (about) Jacob marries Rachael c BC Joseph sent to prison for 2 years by Potiphar at age 28 c BC Joseph (110 years) Joseph summoned to palace to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams at age 30 c BC Joseph dies at age 110 c BC

Scriptures to Read Genesis 37:1-36 Genesis 37:1-36 Genesis 39:1 to 42:6 Genesis 39:1 to 42:6 Genesis 47:13-26 Genesis 47:13-26

CHALDEA CANAAN EGYPT Haran Ur Abram was born in Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:26-32) Abram Called by God PADDAN-ARAM

CHALDEA CANAAN EGYPT Haran Ur Abram left Ur with his father Terah, his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot. They were going to Canaan, but got as far as Haran where they settled (Genesis 11:26-32) Abram Called by God PADDAN-ARAM

CHALDEA CANAAN EGYPT Haran Ur God told Abram to go to a land He would show him, so Abram left Haran with his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot and went to Canaan. Abram was 75 years old (Genesis 12:1-5) Abram Called by God PADDAN-ARAM

Hebron Sarah Dies Sarah dies in Hebron at age 127 and is buried in the cave of Machpelah (Genesis 23) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem

CHALDEA CANAAN EGYPT Haran Ur Abraham’s servant goes to find a wife for Isaac amongst Abraham’s relatives (Genesis 24) A Wife for Isaac PADDAN-ARAM Rebekah returns to Canaan with Abraham’s servant

Hebron Abraham Dies Abraham dies in Hebron at age 175. His sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah next to Sarah (Genesis 25) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem

CHALDEA CANAAN EGYPT Haran Ur Jacob flees to Haran to escape his brother Esau after he tricked Esau into giving up his birthright (Genesis 27) Jacob Flees from Esau PADDAN-ARAM

CHALDEA CANAAN EGYPT Haran Ur Jacob works for his uncle Laban for seven years and marries Leah and Rachael, Laban’s daughters (Genesis 29) Jacob Flees from Esau PADDAN-ARAM

CHALDEA CANAAN EGYPT Haran Ur Jacob returns to Canaan with his two wives, two concubines, one daughter and eleven sons. (Genesis 29) Jacob Returns to Canaan PADDAN-ARAM

Hebron Jacob Returns to Canaan Jacob returns to Canaan and goes to Bethel where God changes his name to Israel (Genesis 32-35) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem Penuel

Hebron Jacob Returns to Canaan On the way from Bethel to Bethlehem Rachael dies after giving birth to Benjamin, the twelfth son of Jacob (Genesis 35) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem Penuel

Hebron Jacob Returns to Canaan Jacob arrived home to his father Isaac at Hebron. Isaac died in Hebron at the age of 180 years, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah with Abraham and Sarah, his parents (Genesis 35) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem Penuel

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Has God given you a dream or a vision or a revelation for the future? Read Habakkuk 2:2-3. Have you written down what God has given you? b) What is your attitude towards the dream or vision God has given you? Are you humbly and patiently waiting for the appointed time, or are you puffed up and impatiently trying to make it happen in your own strength?

Hebron Joseph Sold by His Brothers Joseph’s brothers go to Shechem to graze their father’s sheep. Jacob sends Joseph to see how they are doing (Genesis 37) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem Penuel Dothan

Hebron Joseph Sold by His Brothers When Joseph arrived in Shechem his brothers were not there. He found them in Dothan (Genesis 37) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem Penuel Dothan

Hebron Joseph Sold by His Brothers Ishmaelite traders pass Dothan on their way from Gilead to Egypt. Joseph’s brothers sell him to them for 20 shekels of silver (Genesis 37) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem Penuel Dothan

Hebron Joseph Sold by His Brothers The Ishmaelite traders take Joseph to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard (Genesis 37) Bethlehem Bethel Shechem Penuel Dothan

Pharaoh Has a Dream Pharaoh, king of Egypt has two dreams trouble him. No one can interpret the dreams. (Genesis 41) CANAAN EGYPT

Pharaoh Has a Dream The chief cupbearer remembers that Joseph can interpret dreams. Joseph is brought before Pharaoh. (Genesis 41) CANAAN EGYPT

Pharaoh Has a Dream Joseph interprets the dreams and tells Pharaoh that God has warned him about seven years of famine that are coming. But, there will be seven years of plenty before in which food must be stored for the years of famine. (Genesis 41) CANAAN EGYPT

Pharaoh Has a Dream Joseph presents a plan to Pharaoh of what must be done during the seven years of plenty to make sure there is food during the seven years of famine. Pharaoh agrees with the plan and promotes Joseph to second-in-command in all the land (Genesis 41) CANAAN EGYPT

The First Trip to Egypt Jacob hears that there is food in Egypt and sends his sons to go buy some (Genesis 42) CANAAN EGYPT

The First Trip to Egypt Joseph’s brothers return with food to their father Jacob in Canaan and tell him all that happened (Genesis 42) CANAAN EGYPT

The Second Trip to Egypt Jacob sends his sons to go buy more grain in Egypt. This time Benjamin goes with them (Genesis 43) CANAAN EGYPT

The Second Trip to Egypt When Joseph sees Benjamin for the first time in about 20 years, he is deeply moved and weeps. (Genesis 43) CANAAN EGYPT

The Second Trip to Egypt Joseph’s brothers leave Egypt to return to their father. Joseph’s steward stops them and accuses them of stealing Joseph’s silver cup. The cup is found in Benjamin’s sack. (Genesis 44) CANAAN EGYPT

The Second Trip to Egypt Joseph’s brothers Go back to Joseph who can no longer control himself. With great emotion he reveals himself to them. (Genesis 45) CANAAN EGYPT

The Second Trip to Egypt Joseph’s brothers return to their father Jacob and tell him that Joseph is still alive. (Genesis 45) CANAAN EGYPT

Jacob Goes to Egypt Jacob goes to Egypt and is reunited with Joseph. (Genesis 46) CANAAN EGYPT

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Think about the process that God took Joseph through. Are you submitting to God’s process for your life, or are you trying to do things in your own way? b) Joseph had to go through many tough times to see his dream become a reality. Are you willing to allow God to take you through tough times to bring you to the place where His dream for your life can become a reality?

What Do We Learn from Joseph’s Life 1. It’s not the dream of a lifetime; it’s the dream that takes a lifetime. 2. It takes time to grow as a leader. 3. It takes trials to grow as a leader. 4. It takes God’s help to grow as a leader.

It’s not the dream of a lifetime; it’s the dream that takes a lifetime All great leaders need three things to prepare them: 1. Time to mature them 2. Trials to strengthen them 3. God to bless them

It takes time to grow as a leader Every leader goes through four stages as they grow in their leadership ability: 1. Ignorance 2. Maturation 3. Recognition 4. Multiplication

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) Joseph had to pay a price to see his dream become a reality. Are you willing to pay the price to accomplish your dream or vision? b) Think about the four stages of leadership growth that Joseph went through. Which stage are you in when it comes to your personal leadership growth?

It takes trials to grow as a leader Things that happen when we react positively to trials: 1. We glorify God 2. We receive new opportunities 3. We develop integrity 4. We grow spiritually 5. We are prepared in mind and heart for leadership

It takes God’s help to grow as a leader As Joseph grew as a leader he learned that: 1. Self-promotion cannot replace divine promotion 2. God is in charge of the process

Discussion (in groups of 3 or 4) a) We saw how Joseph learned from the various trials that he faced a used them to grow as a leader. Do you make a practice of learning from the trials in your life? b) We saw how God helped Joseph and how Joseph eventually learned to see his circumstances from God’s perspective. How has God helped you as a leader?

Jesus and the Law of Process Hebrews 5:7 “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” Luke 2:52 “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”

Homework – Scriptures to Read Nehemiah 1:1-11 Nehemiah 1:1-11 Nehemiah 2:1-20 Nehemiah 2:1-20 Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah 4:1-23 Nehemiah 6:15-16 Nehemiah 6:15-16