Today, the Scripture is taken from:  Genesis 37 and Genesis 39–50 in one sitting.

Theme verse:

“And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” Genesis 45: 7-8 (ESV)

Reflect and respond.

If someone asked you, what is the point of Joseph’s story, what would you say?

On Day 1, you made a list of what you observe about the character of God in Joseph’s story. Without looking at your Day 1 list, make a new list of what you see about the character of God. How does it compare to your Day 1 list?

How do the characteristics of God you listed above affect how you engage in your life-role or workplace? For example: “God giving wisdom means that I can ask him for guidance in how to talk to my boss about a sensitive issue.”

What aspects of Joseph’s example are most relevant for your workplace?

Integration Starts with You

Occasionally in life, we get to do big things with big impact…but not usually. It is in the everyday exercise of living on purpose that God accomplishes his work in and through us.

Below are five compelling questions, but they’re not meant to be rushed through. Allow the Holy Spirit time and space to guide your thinking. Talk these over with a like-minded friend or mentor. Remember that a small but willing yes to one thing over time can change the world.

1.  Every cultural context, whether family, job, school, church, or society, offer very real reflections of God because even fallen people are made in his image. What do you see in those contexts that you can promote? Celebrate? Protect?
2.  Every cultural context has room to improve how it reflects God because we all are growing in our understanding and reflection of him and his will. How can the way you reflect God be enhanced in the different contexts of your life?
3.  Every cultural context bears the marks of humanity’s capacity for the injustice and evil for which Christ died. Before answering the question below, be mindful of the need for deep discernment regarding the extent to which we can address such wrongs and/or leave ultimate justice to God. What is evil that you can resist or stop?
4. Every cultural context manifests the brokenness that is the result of humanity’s sin for which Christ is risen. We are all a part of that brokenness. But we are also God’s partners, risen with Christ to bring change amid it. What is broken that you can help restore?
5. We are commanded to love people in every circumstance of life as Christ has loved us. What challenging person can you love with Christ’s love rather than your own? As you think about these questions, be reminded of a quote:

“I’m a musician. I write songs. I just hope when the day is done, I’ve been able to tear a little corner off of the darkness.”

— Bono, Irish singer-songwriter and philanthropist

A Portrait of a Fully Integrated Life

• Taken from Mark Greene’s book: Fruitfulness on the Frontline

Jesus desires that we bear much fruit, abiding in him as we love others in the context of daily life wherever we are: at home, the office, market, gym, school, or coffeeshop. The following is a framework for living on purpose in all of life.

MODELING GODLY CHARACTER | In relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit is continually transforming us into the image of God’s Son. As he does, people see more and more of Jesus in us.

MAKING GOOD WORK | We work with creativity, excellence, and integrity. In doing so, we bring order, beauty, and joy to our environments.

MINISTERING GRACE AND LOVE | All humanity, knowing God or not, desires to give and receive love because we are made in the image of God who is love. No matter who or where we are, people notice when God’s unconditional love is expressed to them.

MOLDING CULTURE | “Whether we plan it or not, culture will happen. Why not create the culture we want?” This question from Carmine Gallo, an American advisor to top executives and a Harvard professor, is valid for us all. As we follow Jesus in all of life, we will create culture that increasingly reflects his values of loving all people, caring for the disadvantaged, respecting authorities, and protecting the environment.

MOUTHPIECE FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE | We reflect a God of justice as much as a God of love. In the everyday of life, we are commanded to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). As we do, God does his work, little by little, of restoring all things broken.

MESSENGERS OF THE GOSPEL | Jesus’ redemptive death and resurrection is the means of reversing sin and its consequences and making all things new. Our transformed lives can demonstrate this truth in any context.¹⁶

As we pursue fully integrated lives, we’ll exhibit these 6Ms in varying degrees and circumstances. As we do, people around us will get an antipasto (literally, “before the meal”), a foretaste of the coming kingdom banquet when Jesus will make all things right at his return. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20)

Let’s Pray:

Lord, we pray that through the story of Joseph, Your truth will be ingrained in our lives. By Your grace, we pray for personal spiritual growth to take root in our lives. In doing so, we will transform the corporate culture at the workplace, sharing Your love wherever we are. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Time for Reflections.

1. From the section on ‘Integration starts with you’, what are the two points that come to your mind?

2. From the area on 6‘M’s: A Portrait of a Fully Integrated Life’, which two points will you like to work on at your workplace?

3. What prayer requests do you have pertaining to this series on the life of Joseph? Please pray in the group.