When You’re Still Waiting

KEY VERSES:

• Genesis 37–41
• Genesis 39:2-6
• Genesis 39:20-23
• Genesis 40:14
• Genesis 40:23
• Genesis 41:1
• Psalm 77:11-12
• Psalm 139:7-12
• Psalm 118:24
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Psalm 27:13-14
• Proverbs 19:21

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Series Recap: Don't Quit Here
  • Week 1: When your story changes.
  • Week 2: When you can't see the big picture.
  • This week: When You're Still Waiting.
• The Lie We Believe
  • Waiting often convinces us that God has forgotten us.
  • God's silence does not mean God's absence.
• Joseph's Story (Genesis 37-41)
  • At 17, Joseph receives a dream from God.
  • His brothers throw him into a cistern.
  • He's sold into slavery.
  • He faithfully serves Potiphar.
  • He's falsely accused and thrown into prison.
  • He interprets the cupbearer's dream but is forgotten for two more years.
  • At age 30, Joseph becomes ruler under Pharaoh.
  • God's promise took 13 years to unfold.
• The Phrase That Keeps Repeating
  • "The Lord was with Joseph." (Genesis 39)
  • God's presence didn't disappear during the difficult seasons.
  • His circumstances changed, but God's faithfulness didn't.
• How We Often Respond While Waiting
  • Trying to fix everything ourselves.
  • Giving up on serving or praying.
  • Complaining and becoming bitter.
  • Believing nothing will ever change.
  • Losing hope.
• Why We Believe God Has Forgotten Us
  • Our circumstances.
  • How others have treated us.
  • Comparing our lives to others.
  • Our timeline doesn't match God's.
  • Unanswered prayers.
  • Focusing only on what God hasn't done.
  • Believing waiting has no purpose.
• Big Idea
  • Waiting is not worthless because God has a purpose.
  • Don't quit while you're waiting.
• Five Ways to Wait Well
  • 1. Remember what God has done. (Psalm 77:11-12)
  • 2. Remember God is always with you. (Psalm 139:7-12)
  • 3. Rejoice in today. (Psalm 118:24)
  • 4. Trust God. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
  • 5. Be patient. (Psalm 27:13-14)
• The Peony Illustration
  • Peonies often take 3–5 years to bloom.
  • Growth happens beneath the surface before beauty appears.
  • God often works the same way in our lives.
• Final Challenge
  • God isn't preparing you just for your next step.
  • He may be preparing you for something much bigger than you can currently see.

TALK ABOUT IT:

• What are you currently waiting on in your life?
• Why do you think waiting often makes us feel forgotten by God?
• What part of Joseph's story encourages you the most?
• How does repeatedly reading "The Lord was with Joseph" change your perspective on suffering?
• Which of the reasons for believing God has forgotten us do you struggle with most?
• How can remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen your faith today?
• Which of the five ways to wait well do you need to practice this week?
• What "peony season" might God be growing beneath the surface in your life right now?

APPLY IT:

• Identify where you're tempted to believe God has forgotten you.
• Spend time remembering specific ways God has been faithful in the past.
• Choose gratitude for today's blessings instead of only focusing on what's missing.
• Continue serving God even when life doesn't make sense.
• Resist comparing your timeline to someone else's.
• Pray honestly, but trust God's timing over your own.
• Practice patience by remembering that growth often happens beneath the surface.
• Hold onto God's promises instead of letting your circumstances define your faith.