How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon
background
Throughout Joseph’s story, he faces betrayal, injustice, and pain while remaining aware of God’s hand at work. Favoritism, pride, and jealousy shape his life. Though God is never mentioned directly, he is neither absent nor inactive. Through Joseph’s dreams, his family’s choices, and human wickedness, God brings Joseph to Egypt to fulfill his greater purpose. God’s providence works all things for good: human evil remains evil, but it cannot thwart his purposes.
OPEN
1. How do you feel about last-minute changes to plans? Do you find it easy to adapt, or is it a bit challenging? Can you think of any examples?
reflect
2. Read Genesis 37:5-11. What do Joseph’s two dreams suggest about his future? Do you think he should have shared his dreams with his brothers?
3. Read Genesis 37:18-28. How would you describe the family dynamic and each family member’s character? What traits of Jacob are reflected in the actions of his sons (see Genesis 27)?
4. Though God is never mentioned directly, what details point to a larger divine purpose at work? How is it that God is sovereign over Joseph’s story while Jacob and his sons remain responsible for their actions?
3. Read Genesis 37:18-28. How would you describe the family dynamic and each family member’s character? What traits of Jacob are reflected in the actions of his sons (see Genesis 27)?
4. Though God is never mentioned directly, what details point to a larger divine purpose at work? How is it that God is sovereign over Joseph’s story while Jacob and his sons remain responsible for their actions?
apply
5. Can you think of a time when you saw God at work in your life through a situation that initially seemed difficult? What did you learn from that experience?
6. Are there situations in your life right now where God feels absent or inactive? How can Joseph’s story encourage you to trust that God’s long-term plans are bigger than your present circumstances?
7. When has someone’s perspective helped you see God at work during a bleak time? As a Home Group, how can we encourage each other to trust God with the future?
6. Are there situations in your life right now where God feels absent or inactive? How can Joseph’s story encourage you to trust that God’s long-term plans are bigger than your present circumstances?
7. When has someone’s perspective helped you see God at work during a bleak time? As a Home Group, how can we encourage each other to trust God with the future?
resources
Home Groups will resume August 23. If you are interested in joining a group, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.