Genesis Baptist Church
Empowering Generations for the 21st Century
​BIBLE STUDY
Shifting in the Shift: 6-Week Bible Study
​
This 6-week Bible study series focuses on cultivating a new mindset, refusing to settle, and strategically facing new seasons under God’s guidance. Using the book of Joshua as our foundation, we explore how to shift in the shift—moving with God’s timing and direction.
Week 1 – A New Season, A New Mindset Text: Joshua 1:1–9 Theme: God’s call to courage and leadership in a new chapter. Explore how God commissions Joshua after Moses’ death. Discuss what it means to embrace change without fear. Key idea: Shifting begins when our thinking aligns with God’s new direction. Application: Where is God calling you to stop mourning the past and move forward?
Week 2 – Breaking the Spirit of Settling Text: Joshua 3:1–17 Theme: Crossing over requires faith in motion. Israel must step into the Jordan before God parts it. Explore how faith and obedience shift us out of complacency. Mindset shift: Faith doesn’t wait for waters to part it steps forward first. Application: What “Jordan” are you being called to step into despite uncertainty?
Week 3 - Strategic Positioning in the Shift Text: Joshua 6:1–20. Theme: Divine strategy often looks illogical. Marching around Jericho was unconventional-divinely strategic.
Explore how God’s plans may challenge logic but always lead to victory. Mindset shift: Strategy follows revelation, not human calculation. Application: Where do you need to follow God’s plan even when it doesn’t make sense?
Week 4 – Leaving Defeat Behind Text: Joshua 7:1–13 Theme: Confronting what hinders progress. Israel’s defeat at Ai was due to hidden disobedience. Explore the importance of spiritual integrity when shifting seasons. Mindset shift: You can’t conquer new territory with old compromises. Application: What hidden issues must be addressed to move forward?
Week 5 – Shifting into Expansion Text: Joshua 10:5–14 Theme: Bold prayers and decisive action. Joshua commands the sun to stand still — a bold act of faith. Explore how shifting requires boldness and authority rooted in God’s promise. Mindset shift: God is not limited by natural laws when fulfilling His purpose. Application: Where is God calling you to pray bigger and act bolder?
Week 6 – Living in the Promise Text: Joshua 24:14–24 Theme: Commitment to the new way of life. Joshua calls the people to choose whom they will serve. Explore what it means to fully inhabit the shift rather than visit it. Mindset shift: Sustained change requires renewed covenant and consistent choice. Application: What choices do you need to make to stay aligned with God’s future for you?
Dr. Verenander Lloyd Hughes
A faith-based leader with over 30 years of pastoral experience. Dr. Hughes has led churches, religious leaders, and communities in the bridging of generational gaps and formation of leadership development. Highlights of his work include maximizing youth and young adult ministry by engaging leadership to oversee and develop programming across generational lines; initiating an innovation team consisting of a broad spectrum of generations to brainstorm and ideate about the future of faith-based organizations resulting in effective approaches for ministry; and coaching leaders in their respective role through FAITHLEARNTHRIVE concepts in collaboration with Hood Theological Seminary Salisbury, North Carolina.Dr. Hughes’ leadership development work is inspired by the John Maxwell certified leadership team where powerful, positive change through values-based leadership is key to effective leadership. He is a Certified Maxwell Team Coach and ICF Associate Certified Coach by International Coaching Federation.Dr. Verenander L. Hughes is currently the Senior Pastor of Genesis Baptist Church Greensboro, North Carolina; Dean of Ordination for ROWAN Baptist Association; and the President of The Pulpit Forum of Greensboro and Vicinity. Dr. Hughes has received numerous awards for his community leadership services. An ardent believer in the importance of education, Dr. Hughes earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from Richmond Virginia Seminary, a graduate of the Howard University School of Business Executive Leadership Program, Washington DC, a Master of Theological Studies from Drew University, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. Dr. Hughes’ dissertation focused on Developing an Intergenerational Congregation for Postmodern Leadership.Born in Virginia, Dr. Hughes resides in Greensboro, North Carolina with his wife Sandra.