Why should anyone follow Jesus? This is probably a question many unbelievers ask. How would you respond? Would you say that following Jesus is "worth it"? I hope so. In this week's Explore the Bible Study: Jesus Calls, this question will be explored as we begin to look at the Gospel of Mark.

Consider beginning the Bible study session by completing the following statement:  "The leaders I will follow should be . . ."

Then focus on Mark 1:9-13 with the baptism of Jesus and Satan's temptation of Jesus while in the wilderness. As you examine these passages, identify the qualities Jesus exhibited that would make Him someone worth following. The Supplemental Teaching Ideas provide questions to guide the discussion.

Once you consider this, examine Jesus' invitation to the Galilean fishermen, Simon, Andrew, James and John, to follow Him in Mark 1:14-20. Consider this context as you read the passage:

• Jesus’ invitation, "follow Me," can also be translated “come behind Me.” It was not a practice of the time, as far as we know, for Jewish teachers (rabbis) to actively recruit followers. Usually a young man who desired to pursue becoming a rabbi would seek out a rabbi. He would then be vetted by the rabbi with hopes of hearing the words, “follow me.”
• Imagine you are one of these fishermen. You have probably missed out on any opportunity to become a student of a rabbi, so you are working your father's fishing business. Most likely, you will inherit that business and continue the family trade.
• Now this teacher (Jesus) walks by and says, “Follow Me.”
• What's even more amazing is when Jesus says, "I will make you fish for people.”

Here is the bottom line for these men and for all who follow Jesus.
The word “make” is a picture of a potter working to shape something into what it is not – i.e. a piece of clay into a bowl.  Jesus invited them to become what they weren’t. It wasn’t about gaining wealth or power. It was about relationship and purpose. These fishermen would now have a relationship with the Son of God and purpose greater than wealth, power, inheritance, or the family business. They would be shaped into people who could be used by God for His purposes.

This truly does make following Jesus "worth it"!

PowerPoint Option
There is a PowerPoint option provided that can be used to guide the discussion this week. The link is below.

God’s plans are never thwarted by the sinful actions of humanity. Because of Joseph's relationship with God, he understood this. His understanding and faith in God enabled him to overcome bitterness and offer forgiveness. This is what LifeWay's Explore The Bible Study: Reunited, from Genesis 45, will focus on.

The reconciliation of Joseph with his brothers is a beautiful picture of how followers of Christ should respond to those who have wronged them. Yet, we must acknowledge that this picture of reconciliation is very difficult to attain. As you study and lead a group, consider helping everyone wrestle with whether or not they have forgiven those who have wronged them - in the workplace, the home, extended family, the church, or somewhere else.

We can learn a lot from Joseph's perspective and response to the brothers who wanted to kill him, threw him in a pit, and then sold him into slavery. If anyone had a right to be vindictive or to gloat over his accomplishments, it would have been Joseph. But he didn't. He recognized God's plan in the midst of all the difficulties; therefore, he was able to forgive.

Do we recognize when God is giving us an opportunity, and do we respond correctly? This is the question that is examined in LifeWay's Explore the Bible Study: Opportunity Knocks. In Genesis 41, Joseph is once again called upon to help, after spending two years in prison. Joseph is now given some amazing opportunities.

As you explore how Joseph responds to these opportunities, consider how you will challenge your group to have a biblical perspective of this subject, including the over-arching purpose for every opportunity God gives those who profess to follow Christ.

The Downloadable Supplemental Teaching Ideas provide an expanded set of verses to explore from Genesis 41. In addition, the entire plan is designed to challenge the group to consider how they will use the opportunities God gives them. Here is a sampling of the emphasis:

• Genesis 41:15-32 -- Joseph did not take credit for his skills. He used the opportunity to introduce Pharaoh to God.
• Genesis 41:33-36 -- Joseph went beyond the scope of what he was asked to do. God lead Joseph to take advantage of his opportunity to offer wisdom that could only come from God. He outlined a plan that would make it possible for Egypt to survive.
• Genesis 41:37-40 -- Joseph's witness resulted in Pharaoh at least recognizing that Joseph's God was powerful and worked powerfully through Joseph. Because he observed how God was working through Joseph, he entrusted him with carrying out the plan Joseph outlined.
• Genesis 41:46 -- Joseph was only thirty years old when this took place! He was young, yet wise beyond his years.

How would you answer this question, If we know what is right, can we do it? As you walk through Genesis 39 this week as a part of LifeWay's Explore The Bible Study: Tempted, ask yourself how you could lead a group to answer this question with a resounding, "Yes!"

We are all faced with temptation. Sometimes temptations are subtle and sometimes they are very obvious. Many times, success comes with more temptation. This was the case with Joseph. You and your group can learn a lot regarding how to respond to temptation through this week's session.

Modified Outline of Passage
The Supplemental Teaching Ideas provide a completely modified plan and expand the passages that will be covered. Here is a sampling of the approach taken:

Read the complete chapter: Genesis 39:1-23 ,and guide a discussion following this approach. Details for guiding the discussion are available in the Supplemental Teaching Ideas.

“The Lord was with Joseph”

• Underline these phrases in the passage:  Verse 2 – “The Lord was with Joseph”; Verse 3 – “The Lord was with him”; Verse 5 – “The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house because of Joseph”; Verse 21 – “The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him”; Verse 23 – “the Lord was with him.”
• Why is this significant for us to understand, considering all that Joseph faced at this point?
• How can knowing that “the Lord is with you” help you remain faithful when faced with temptation?

“Successful”

• How many times is the word "success," or "successful" or a similar word used in this passage? (i.e. – “successful” – vss. 2, 3, and 23; “Blessing” – v.5; “extended kindness” – v.21) 
• How did Potiphar, who didn’t know God, respond to Joseph’s success? (Joseph found favor and was promoted – v.4; He was given more responsibility – v.5; He was trusted with everything that Potiphar owned – v.6)
• How did the prison warden respond to Joseph’s relationship to the Lord in Genes 39:21-23? (He was put in charge of the other prisoners; He trusted Joseph with the prisoners; etc.)
• Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house. He didn’t choose this path; It was chosen for him. Finally, Joseph was in prison. He certainly didn’t choose this path either. Yet the Bible describes the results with words like “success” and “blessed.” 
• Joseph remained faithful to the Lord and the Lord used that, not only to bring “success,” but to be a witness to Potiphar, his entire household, and eventually, the entire prison he was sent to.

Genesis 39:6-20

• How could Joseph have rationalized giving in to Potiphar’s wife’s proposal?
• Knowing what you know about the story of Joseph, what could have been the long-term consequences for Joseph and his role in God’s plans, had he given in to the wife’s proposal? How would that change the way Joseph was described in these passages?
• The consequences to Joseph’s life would have been more than just the illicit affair. The entire story of Joseph, his family, and the future of Egypt, and his place in God’s story of redemption would have changed if he had given in.
• The key is to be like Joseph. He knew what he had to do and explained it very clearly, “No one in this house is greater than I am. He [Potiphar] has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do this immense evil, and how could I sin against God?”  (Genesis 39:9 CSB)

“It’s not fair” 

• Do you think Joseph might have thought this during his first days in prison?
• If you didn’t know the rest of the story of Joseph, would you think Joseph should have just gone ahead and committed adultery? Why or why not?
• How would you react if you were put in jail for doing the right thing? Or, if you lost your job for doing the right thing? Or, if you were falsely accused of a crime as Joseph was?

Apply

• Why do you think so many professing Christians struggle with compromise and giving in to temptation?
• What can we learn from Joseph that will help us answer the question, If we know what is right, can we do it?
• Making God-honoring choices may cost us jobs, friendships, reputations, or even our families, but God will be with us and honor our choices to follow Him as He did with Joseph. When we make the right decisions, yet are faced with consequences, we need to remember the final phrase in Genesis 39:23, “the Lord was with him, and the Lord made everything that he did successful” and the promise of Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose”