Joseph: God Meant It For Good

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An 8 Week Series

 

CLG Discussion Questions

 

 

 "When God calls a man, he bids him come and die." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Joseph was a man who knew what it was like to get the raw end of the deal. He knows what it is like to be treated unfairly and falsely accused. He knows all about being a member of a very dysfunctional family. Yet, none of these things robbed Joseph of his faith or blinded him from seeing God at work in all his troubles. Joseph understands what it is like to be in the pit of despair and to also be one of the most successful men in the country. Whether rich or poor, successful or knocked down...this man kept one thing consistent and balanced....his complete dependence on God and a consistent yieldedness to the Spirit of God at work in him. Joseph represents not only an example to us for how to deal with life's problems and the unfairness of life but he also represents the way that Christ works in us and in the world. Identify with Joseph over the next several weeks and allow the Lord to reveal to you how to have a God balanced, Christ centric life...no matter what...through thick or thin.

 

Questions

 

Part 2: Genesis 37: When Life is the Pits

(Note: For fun…try and point out all the similarities in this story and in Joseph’s life with Jesus and His story)

  1. Why would Jacob find such great favor in his son Joseph?
  2. What kinds of things (dysfunctions) develop when a parent plays favorites?
  3. Talk about sibling rivalry which you had growing up.
  4. Do you think Joseph was wise to tell his brothers and parents about his dreams? Why or why not?
  5. How did people respond to Jesus when told them sayings that elevated himself as coming from God?
  6. Why did Joseph’s brothers want to kill him of all the things they could have done?
  7. What kinds of thoughts and prayers do you think went through Joseph’s mind while in the pit?
  8. If you are up to it, tell about a time when you felt most like you were in a pit…alone…just like Joseph. What were your prayers like?
  9. Being sold into slavery may have been an answer to Joseph’s prayer but maybe not what he was expecting. How is that a picture of how God works in our lives?
  10.  Pray together and for anyone in your group who is identifying with Joseph and this place in his story.

 

 

Part 3: Genesis 39 “When the Lord is With You, Are You With the Lord?

  1. What kind of an answer to prayer is it to be free from the pit but then sold into slavery? How does that relate to your life and how God works?
  2. Even though the Lord caused Joseph to have success how does that fit in the reality of being a slave?
  3. What can you surmise about Potipher’s household (dysfunction) based on this story?
  4. What keeps Joseph from giving in to Potipher’s wife? What does this tell you about Joseph’s relationship with the Lord?
  5. Why is there no report of Joseph defending himself against this accusation against him?
  6. Not only is “life unfair” often times, it seems as though Christians suffer the same injustice that any living being could suffer. What should we keep in mind when life treats us unfairly (define “unfairly” among yourselves) as it relates to Joseph?
  7. Describe how it is possible to have “the Lord with us” but us not being mindful of “being with the Lord.”
  8. If in your estimation, your life is not going the way you wanted it to or hoped it would, how does this story help you? How do we live then?

 

Part 4: Genesis 40 and 41 "It Is Not About Me"

  1. Describe the let down Joseph may have had when the cupbearer obviously had not made mention to the king about Joseph? How much can this guy take?
  2. Finally, the cupbearer has a chance to tell Pharaoh about Joseph. Talk about the notion of “God’s timing” being different from ours and how we cope.
  3. In 40:16 we see Joseph giving a testimony to Pharaoh. What is the foundational truth about our lives that is exhibited here in this verse?
  4. Talk about the delicate balance we see in Joseph’s life and apply to our lives, i.e., how Joseph is so close to Pharaoh and involved in the affairs of Egypt all the while having faith in God.
  5. How do you view your participation in the world? Politics? Schools? Sports teams? Paying taxes? Obeying laws?
  6. Review the major incidents in Joseph’s life up to know and see if you can discern a pattern and spiritual truth in Joseph’s life. Then make some application to your own lives.

 

Part 5: Genesis 42

  1. Do you see your life as a story with chapters? Why or why not?
  2. What is the title of the chapter you are in right now?
  3. Sean talked about how adults often dream about consistency and security? Does that describe you?
  4. Are you dealing with any tension right now? Or a crisis? How has if affect your soul or your story?
  5. What default modes did you bring into adulthood? Are there default modes that you are seeking the Lord to help you change?
  6. How do people change their default modes?

 

Part 6: Genesis 48 "Blessings"

  1. Look up the word blessing in a dictionary and read it out loud. What else would you add to the definition?
  2. What does it mean to give a “blessing” in the Bible, like in our story of Joseph? Examples?
  3. How have you been intentionally “blessed” by someone?
  4. How do you intentionally “bless” others? Examples?
  5. In our story of Joseph, why does Jacob defer the blessing of the firstborn, Manasseh, to Ephraim?
  6. What does this story tell you about how God works among us and with us?
  7. Go to Ephesians 1:3-8a and discuss how we are blessed in Christ.
  8. Why is “blessing” others important? What is the affect?
  9. Determine to bless someone this week in a specific way and share it now before you end your group.

 

Part 7: Genesis 50:20 "God Meant It For Good...All of IT!"

  1. Joseph said, "You meant evil against me..." What are the things that are against you in your life right now? What is making your life difficult?
  2. Do you believe God causes those things or those things happen and God can cause you to respond appropriately? Discuss.
  3. What kept Joseph going long before he knew what ultimate purpose he would serve in preserving many people alive during a drought and famine?
  4. Is it fair to take this story and apply it this way: We are a people who ought to be about a greater good. Is it fair to say that today there is a spiritual drought in the world around us and God calls us to be a part of saving lives?
  5. If so, how do we reckon with our own hardships and troubles which could easily consume us and keep us from every really fully embracing a commitment to something bigger than ourselves?
  6. How can Creekside be "about something bigger than ourselves"?