Acts of Defiance: Defy Circumstances

Series: Acts of Defiance
Circumstances by Rick Shurtz, July 13, 2008
Note: before you start thinking about these questions, try to have a Bible handy and read the main passage Rick used for this message: the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 and 39 – 41 (and continuing through 47 if you have the time or get caught up in the story). Some of the main passages are below, but it’s nice to read the whole story if you have time. You can also get the passage quickly by putting in the verses above at Bible Gateway.

This week Rick Shurtz began a three-week series on Acts of Defiance. Rick gave us some some well-known examples of people who chose an act of defiance over their own personal circumstances:

• The “unknown rebel”, who faced down the tanks in Tiananmen Square.
• Ruby Bridges who braved a hostile mob to be the first black child to attend an all-white school in the South
• Lance Armstrong, who came back from battling cancer to win the Tour de France seven times
• Nelson Mandela who defied the Apartheid regime in South Africa only to be imprisoned for 27 years and later to bring healing as the first black President of the country.

1. OK – these are situations we all know of – and there are others… some as well-known and some very much out of the spotlight. Can you think of another example… of someone you know or know of, who refused to let others or a situation define how they would live? Try to think of someone like that, and then take some time to share those examples. Were you personally inspired by the one you chose? If so, explain how. (10 – 15 minutes)

2. While you probably were able to come up with several examples, most of us would say that these are the exceptions rather than the rule. So talk about that for a minute. Why is it that “acts of defiance” like the ones described, tend to be more rare than common-place? Try to list some of the reasons why “defiers” like these are different from most people. (10 minutes)

3. Rick asked us to ask ourselves a question: “What is attempting to define you?” He mentioned some examples of the types things in our lives that tend to either define who we are, or “dictate” how we will live? Try to create a list of the kinds of things that shape people’s lives… sometimes in ways different than what they would otherwise do. (i.e., Rick mentioned the past and kinds of fears as examples). (5 - 10 minutes)

4. In the message, Rick talked about how Joseph was a very important example in the Bible of someone who refused to let the situations in his life make him act differently from what he believed was right. Either read some of the passages below, or the whole Joseph story in Genesis. Now, as you think through the passage, list each of the major circumstances in Joseph’s life and then note what was his reaction to each one… at least as far as we can tell. Which of his reactions do you think is most “surprising” (different from what most people might do/say/think) – if any – and why? (15 minutes)

5. Rick said that Joseph’s reactions were NOT surprising for someone “who was convinced God was with him”. What difference does that make? Take a few minutes to talk to talk about why a strong trust in God’s presence would change someone’s reaction to their circumstances. Is there anything that jumps out at you as a way it would change your reaction to some aspect of your life if you saw God as being with you in the circumstances? Allow some time for anyone who feels comfortable to relate what circumstance they would see differently in their life. (10 minutes)

6. Close by spending some time to think personally about the question Rick asked us to address over the next three weeks: What is attempting to define you? Start your list now… just of one or two things, and then test them out over the next week… Is this what is most attempting to define you? Pray for minute that God will give you insight in the next week to see what might be defining you, and whether He might be encouraging an Act of Defiance in your life. Then try to focus on the those things in your life during the next week and just observe whether you get new insights. (5 minutes)

Bible passages from the message:

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph… Genesis 39:1-2

“How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. Genesis 39:9-10
She caught Joseph by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. Genesis 39:12

Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. Genesis 39:20

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Genesis 39:20-23

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. Genesis 40:23

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream… Genesis 41:1

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You 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.” Genesis 41:39-40
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:4-11

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