What do the dying words of man who lived 4000 years ago have to do with us today?

Jacob's life was full of ups and downs, blessing and heart break, trials and victories. At the end of his life, his twelve sons came to him to hear his last words. After such a long life, what parting words does Jacob have for his sons and the twelve tribes that would come from them to make up the future nation of Israel?

This week we begin reading Genesis 49, and hear the last words of Jacob to his sons. We'll look at Jacob's words to his first four sons, and see how he both describes who his sons were and what the future of their tribes would be. And we'll see how God can still work his redemptive purpose through the lives of imperfect men and hear how Jacob prophesied about the reign of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

What lessons are we leaving for our children?

Many years after being reunited with his father, Joseph hears word that Jacob's health is failing and the end of his life is near. So Joseph hurries to this father's bedside with his two sons, seeking a blessing from Jacob. But after many years of struggles and trials, what final words does Jacob have to pass on?

This week we read through Genesis 48, and see Jacob bless the sons of Joseph. We'll break down Jacob's words to Joseph and his sons to discover what Jacob now finds most important and the end of his life, and we'll look at the significance of Jacob crossing his hands when blessing Joseph's sons. And then we'll examine our own lives to see what kind of legacy we are leaving for the next generation.

Is it possible to be prosperous without being ruled by riches?

Jacob and Joseph have finally been reunited! Jacob has made the move with all of his family down into Egypt to survive the severe famine. But as pharaoh's dreams had foretold, there are still 5 years left before the famine will end. How can this Hebrew family of shepherds survive in Egypt without assimilating into Egyptian culture and pagan worship?

This week we read through Genesis 47, and see the legacy Joseph will leave in Egypt. We'll see how Joseph shrewdly introduces his father to the pharaoh so that his family will be saved from the famine. Then we'll look at the overview of the last five years of the famine in Egypt and see how Joseph shrewdly saves the lives of all of Egypt while setting up systems of prosperity that would outlast his own lifetime. And we'll learn for ourselves how we can be prosperous without prosperity becoming our god.

What's the first thing you do when facing a big decision?

Jacob has received great news: his beloved son Joseph is alive and a ruler in Egypt! And with the severe famine in the land, Joseph has invited his father and the whole family to live in Egypt where food is abundant. But going to Egypt will mean leaving the promised land, an action that has not gone well in the past for Abraham and the sons of the promise. With a great desire to see Joseph again, what will Jacob do next?

This week we read through Genesis 46, and see how the growth of Jacob's faith has changed his life. We'll see God reaffirm his promise to Jacob to grow his family into a great nation and we'll witness the sweet reunion of Jacob and Joseph. And as we examine how God was guiding Jacob in light of a future he could not see, we'll learn how the same God guides us today guides us when we seek Him first in all our decisions.

Are you finding it hard to hope after years of disappointment?

Jacob did too. While his sons had reconciled back in Egypt, Jacob remained in Canaan, in the middle of a great famine, uncertain whether any of his sons would return to him. When they finally do return with news that Joseph is alive, will Jacob respond in doubt, or find the faith to hope again?

This week we finish reading through Genesis 45, and see how God was providing for Jacob even in the middle of mourning and famine. We'll see how God worked through the Pharoah to fulfill His promise to Abraham and how God's abundant grace allowed Jacob to take the next step of faith that would lead him to once again live out the name Israel--God wins. And we'll learn together how to see the work of grace in our own lives that can spark the hope that we lost long ago.

What's the sound of reconciliation?

Joseph has tested his brothers and found out how they have changed in the twenty years since they sold him away to Egypt. As Judah offers himself to take the punishment in place of Benjamin, Joseph can no longer keep his true identity from his brothers. When all the truth comes to light, will Jacob's sons finally be reunited in true brotherhood?

This week we begin reading through Genesis 45, and see the culmination of Joseph's plans to test the hearts of his brothers. We'll study how Joseph internalized the truth of trusting in a sovereign God and see how that allowed him to live out forgiveness toward his brothers. We'll learn the three steps Joseph takes to reconcile with his brothers, and we'll see how Joseph is a picture of how God longs to be reconciled to us today. This is what reconciliation sounds like!

God is in the business of transforming lives!

Twice now Joseph's brother have met him in Egypt without recognizing him as their brother. Without knowing whether his brothers have changed over the last two decades, Joseph recreates the circumstances which led to his brothers' initial betrayal to test their hearts and motivations. How will the sons of Jacob respond when their sin is finally brought to light?

This week we read through Genesis 44 where we'll see the culmination of the transformation that has taken place in the life of Judah as he intercedes for Benjamin. We'll look at each step Judah makes as he takes responsibility for his past sins and learn how we can approach God today for reconciliation to receive the mercy and grace that God has for us to transform our lives.

Revenge is human. Mercy is divine.

When Joseph's brothers first came to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph set a test for them: bring your youngest brother, Benjamin, with you next time or you will never buy grain from Egypt again. As time passes and the famine in Canaan continues, Jacob is reluctantly forced to send his beloved son, Benjamin, to Egypt with his brothers. When Jacob's sons are once again in Egypt, will Joseph take his revenge or extend his hand in mercy?

This week we read through Genesis 43 and see how Jacob puts his faith in God to protect Benjamin and how Joseph responds to seeing his beloved brother Benjamin after so many years. We'll look at how Joseph sets up circumstances to test his brothers one last time and we'll learn about how, in God's economy, it is His kindness that leads us to repentance!

Happy New Year!

Join us this week as we look back on God's faithful work last year and look ahead to the opportunities in front of us in the new year. We'll read in Hebrews 10 for three points of direction to guide us in 2026. And as we study what it means that we are all family in Christ Jesus, we'll ask ourselves what work God is calling us to do, individually and together, in this new year and beyond.

Merry Christmas! Join us in this bonus episode as we take a look at the first Christmas gifts ever given. Together we'll read from Matthew Chapter 2 and examine who gave the gifts and what the gifts symbolized for the first Christmas and for today.