Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• Read Genesis 41. How long was Joseph in prison between ch. 40 and 41? What caused the cupbearer to remember Joseph?
• What does the Pharaoh attribute to Joseph in v. 15? How does Joseph respond in v. 16?
• After Pharaoh tells Joseph his dreams, what does Joseph emphasize in vv. 25-28? Why did Pharaoh have two dreams according to v. 32?
• How does Pharaoh respond to Joseph’s interpretation of the dreams and Joseph’s counsel?

Prayerfully Meditate

• What does Joseph’s response in v. 16 indicate about his heart? How does this reveal Joseph’s patience with the providence of God?
• Think on v. 25 and v. 28 as bookends. In his providential plans, why is God showing Pharaoh what he is about to do?
• Where did Joseph’s wise counsel in vv. 33-37 come from?
• Consider how the Lord brought Joseph to be in the place of 2nd in command in Egypt. Was all that pain necessary? What can you learn from this?
• How do the names Joseph gives his sons indicate his response to being exalted to his position of power?