Let me begin by wishing a hearty “Happy Mother’s Day!” to all the women who play an enormously important role in the lives of children, whether they’re biologically yours or not. Many of you serve in TLC or Micah House or provide “TLC” to grandchildren, nieces and nephews, neighbor kids, or all of the above. Thank you for being godly examples to the kids in your midst and helping them grow in their love for the Lord!

Last Sunday at our Koinonia Leaders Meeting, there were great discussions at each table about reaching out to the people in our spheres of influence who don’t yet know the Savior. Because time ran short, we didn’t get to share together as much as I would have liked.  I’d appreciate hearing about some of the significant takeaways for you. What has God put on your heart regarding outreach?

OPPORTUNITIES
Micah House has an immediate need for volunteers for their summer programs. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our Micah House kids. If you would like to have someone visit your group to share about their specific needs, contact Dianna at Micah House Chapel (909) 747-7447 or Myra at Micah House Oxford (909) 747-0319.

Women’s Ministries’ – When Helping Helps – Saturday, June 2, 8:00-11:00 am.

Camp TLC – June 25-29.

PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for God’s provision and our stewardship of His financial, physical, and human resources.

SERMON STUDY: From Pit to Palace – Genesis 41

Connecting
Who do you admire for having handled sudden fame or promotion well? Without naming names, are there examples of people who were spoiled by such an experience?

Consider relating the responses to the first question under “Living It Out.”

Digging Deeper
1. How is God’s hidden hand evident in the first thirteen verses?

After two years, at just the right time, God sends disturbing dreams to Pharaoh. Then, “coincidentally,” none of the Egyptian wise men or magicians could interpret the dream.  If the cupbearer had remembered Joseph to Pharaoh when he’d been returned to his service, perhaps Joseph would not have been present at this critical time. Looking back in time, had the chief cupbearer not been imprisoned and placed in Joseph’s care, he’d have no knowledge of Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams. Much more could be said; the important thing is for us to recognize the many ways God was working.

2. Verse 14 states the facts very tersely. Putting yourself in Joseph’s sandals, what thoughts and emotions might have been going through your mind as you prepared to stand before Pharaoh?

There’s no right answer to this question. Thinking about Joseph’s thoughts and emotions helps us to connect with him as a normal human being that God chose to use in extraordinary ways.  Responses may reveal something about individual members.

3. Joseph finds himself standing before the most powerful man on earth in verses 15-16, a man who holds his destiny in his hands. What do Joseph’s first words to Pharaoh reveal about him?

Joseph could have used the opportunity to promote himself. Instead, he glorifies God. His words show a humble man of deep conviction and integrity. You might ask what Joseph means when he says that God will give Pharaoh a “favorable answer.”

4. Joseph moves quickly from interpreter to counselor in verses 33-36. He had been asked for an interpretation, not advice; he has no track record of administration; there is no indication that he is self-promoting; and he had had no time to prepare his plan. What’s going on here?

Through Joseph, God gave Pharaoh the correct interpretation of his dream and the appropriate course of action.

5. What were the qualities in Joseph that made such an impression on Pharaoh and the others that led him to the audacious idea of entrusting the future of his country to a foreign slave-prisoner?

This, too, is the work of the Lord.

6. Pharaoh lavishes upon Joseph the privileges and symbols of power and prominence. Given the last 13 years of his life and his relative youth (30), what would be the hardest to handle in a godly way?

You might ask something like “If you had been Joseph, what would you have been tempted to do with your new position and power?”

7. Joseph gives his sons Hebrew names that have special spiritual significance (41:50-52). What do these names reveal about what is going on inside Joseph during this time?

The names Joseph gave his two sons bear witness to God and what is going on in his heart. Manasseh (“forgetting”) – Joseph chose not to dwell on his ugly past; instead, he rejoiced in God’s goodness and faithfulness and His greater purpose in Joseph’s life. Ephraim (“fruitful”) – God made him fruitful in the land of Egypt.

Living It Out
1. It has been said that instant success can be an even greater test than distress and adversity. Do you think that is true? What were the temptations that Joseph now faced as a result of his elevation to power? What are things that help us handle success in a godly way?

This could be linked back to the “Connecting” question. You might also consider God’s warning to Israel in Deuteronomy 8:11-20.

2. While Joseph and Pharaoh appear prominently in this chapter, a closer look makes it clear that God is the main actor. Where do you see him at work? What important truths do we learn about God’s mysterious ways? How do some of those truths apply to our lives today?

Try to steer the discussion from general application to personal application.

Looking Ahead
With Joseph out of prison and in the palace, the central question of his life becomes “What about the family?” The stage of repentance and restoration begins in Chapter 42.

On Thursday, the National Day of Prayer, it was a delight to pray in the Fireside Room with other people from the Trinity Church family. The group I was with all popped in at around the same time. The hour we shared together after some brief introductions sped by quickly. It was a sweet time that makes me even more eager to come to FirstPray this Sunday evening.

I’m also eager for our Leadership Meeting on Sunday morning. There are people in our spheres of influence who don’t know the Savior. How might we reach some of them through a small group ministry? Please come prepared to share your ideas and insights. Bob Mason will facilitate our discussion. Sunday, May 6 from 8:00-9:15 am in Room M200.

OPPORTUNITIES
May 13 – Mother’s Day
Women’s Ministries’ - When Helping Helps – Saturday, June 2, 8:00-11:00 am.
Camp TLC – June 25-29

PRAYER REQUESTS Devote some time to praying for one another about growing personally in Christ-like character.

SERMON STUDY: Faithful but Forgotten – Genesis 40

Getting Started
How do you keep going in the right direction when God’s activity in your life seems completely mysterious?

Digging Deeper
1. We know what happened to Joseph in the years between his betrayal by his brothers into slavery at the age of 17 and his elevation by Pharaoh at the age of 30. But, we know very little about what happened in him. He clearly isn’t broken by this terrible time of suffering; in fact, just the opposite is true. Consider the portrait of him in 39:21-23 and chapter 40.

Joseph describes the prison as “the pit” (40:15), using the same word that describes the place the brothers threw him (37:24). What similarities do you think he saw between the two “pits”?

Joseph didn’t deserve to be in either one of them. He couldn’t get out without someone else helping him.

What do you think would be the hardest parts of his experience?

You might ask something like “What would have been the hardest part for you?”

What clues are there that any good things are happening in him?

In 39:21-23, we learned that even in prison “the LORD was with Joseph” and that he was put in charge of virtually everything there. Later, he is entrusted with the care of two high ranking officials in Pharaoh’s court – people who had had direct contact with the most powerful man in all of Egypt.

2. Joseph finds himself in a new role in 40:1-8. As you think about these three men, how has God orchestrated events, unknown to any of them?

Joseph, a Hebrew slave, was put in the prison “where the king’s prisoners were confined” (39:20).  He was there in prison – long enough to have earned the trust of the keeper of the prison before the two officials arrived. He became the obvious choice to attend to the prison’s “special guests.” Since his arrival in Egypt, Joseph’s extraordinary gifts had been observed by and earned him the trust of powerful men close to Pharaoh (Potiphar and the cup bearer). “The crime committed by the officials of Pharaoh’s court started the series of interrelated events that eventually landed Joseph himself in the court of the king” (Kenneth Matthews, Genesis 11:27-50:26, NAC, 746).

What is striking or surprising about Joseph’s response in verse 8?

Matthews’ commentary (Genesis, 747) is helpful:

Joseph inquired why their faces are “sad” (v. 7; from raʿ, “bad, sad, unhappy”). A person’s visage is generally thought to reflect one’s attitude (e.g., Neh 2:1–3; Eccl 7:3; Mark 10:22). They explained their disappointment at having no one who could interpret their dreams (v. 8; cf. 41:16). In Pharaoh’s court such dreams received the consideration of professional counselors, but they are cut off from the expertise that they had probably often witnessed. In ancient thinking, dreams were the prime vehicle of divine revelations. Joseph acknowledges this but departs from the common viewpoint that professional magicians were required to interpret the officials’ dreams: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (v. 8). God, who gave the revelation, could provide the interpretation to whomever he chose. Dreams were not the privilege of humans but the domain of God. That Joseph requested to hear the dreams (“Tell me your dreams,”216 v. implied that he could interpret them, if God so chose to reveal their meaning to him. The recurring observation “The LORD was with Joseph,” (39:2, 23) by the narrator in the previous chapter has conditioned the reader to assume that Joseph, too, knew that God was favoring him in everything he attempted. Why not also in the matter of their dreams?

3. Joseph has gained the trust of these men so they reveal their dreams and await his interpretation. Consider each dream, Joseph’s interpretation and the likely response of the two men.

What do verses 14-15 reveal about Joseph?

Joseph was convinced that the interpretation was true. He appeals to the cupbearer to repay his kindness with a good word to Pharaoh who had the power to release him. Joseph reinforces his plea by recalling his abduction and asserting his innocence. It’s interesting that he doesn’t implicate his brothers or Potiphar’s wife. Evidently, he wasn’t interested in revenge. Knowing that the Lord was with him (and perhaps recalling his own dreams) may have given him hope of his own eventual release.

What do you think were Joseph’s expectations after the events of verses 20-23? What actually happened (note the beginning of 41:1)? How do you think being forgotten would have affected him?

He may have been forgotten by the cupbearer, but the LORD was still with him! It’s a good reminder that our trust must be in the Lord, not in people, because people often disappoint us, just as we disappoint others.

Living It Out
1. Christ-followers can sometimes find themselves in Joseph-like circumstances, feeling trapped in a dungeon, forgotten by God and by people. What would you want to share with them that would be more than a pious cliché?

People often throw out Romans 28:18 as a “cure-all” for enduring difficult times or coping with tragedy. It’s not that helpful in those situations. Sharing our own experience or our observation of others who have been long-suffering can be helpful if done with sensitivity. The best thing to share with them is ourselves (Galatians 6:2).

2. Joseph acted with competence and character even in the worst of circumstances, so that he was valued everywhere he found himself. How is this an example for Christ-followers, today?

I’m reminded of a quote by Mahatma Gandhi: “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” You might ask something like “If we’re known as Christ-followers, how does the way we lead our lives, in good times or bad, reflect on Jesus?” or “What kind of testimony is our attitude and character presenting to those around us?”

3. People who endure relentless mistreatment inevitably battle with bitterness. Consider Hebrews 12:14, 15. What is the relationship between holiness and bitterness? How does this passage help us understand both the growth and cure of bitterness?

Sometimes people feel justified to harbor bitterness and unforgiveness. But, according to this passage, harboring bitterness can cause people to become defiled – it corrupts us. Then, what use are we to the Lord? Consider also Romans 12:17-21.

Looking Ahead
In Genesis 41, Joseph’s life takes a dramatic turn with his sudden elevation to power, prestige and plenty; but the palace is a place full of dangers, too!

Last Sunday’s message in the Joseph series was tremendous. The drama featuring “Reuben” and “Judah” was helpful to me in picturing these two brothers who played such a prominent role in this portion of the narrative. Our study resumes in Genesis 39 where we encounter a vivid picture of the Lord’s presence in our most difficult times. Joseph is the epitome of integrity and godliness as he serves Potiphar and resists the lust-driven advances of his wife.

Some in your group may have histories resembling that of Potiphar’s wife or of Judah in chapter 38. This study may present particular challenges for them. It is helpful to remember that we all have histories and none of us are without sin. I love Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.” Praise God for our wonderful Savior!

KOINONIA LEADERSHIP MEETING
Sunday, May 6 from 8:00-9:15 am in Room M200. What role could small groups play in intentionally reaching out to the unchurched people in our local spheres of influence – our neighbors, coworkers, business associates, friends, etc.? That’s the subject of our next meeting. Please come ready to share your ideas and insights. I’ve asked Bob Mason to facilitate our discussion. In the meantime, let’s continue praying that the Lord would give us wisdom and that He would provide workers for His harvest!

OPPORTUNITIES
National Day of Prayer – Thursday, May 3 from 6:30 am – 9:00 pm in the Fireside Room.

Young Marrieds 1^st Friday – Encourage the young married couples in your group to come.

What’s at Stake – An evening of serving, steaks, and strengthening for men. Saturday, May 5 from 3:00-8:00 pm.

Camp TLC – June 25-29

PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for Pastor Dave Wilson and members of the Missionary Care Team who are visiting a number of Trinity’s missionary families. (You can follow their travels here: SE Asia Blog.)

SERMON STUDY: The Crucible – Genesis 39

Getting Started
Share a hard time in your life that the Lord used to teach, prepare or refine you in a special way that you may not have recognized then.

Digging Deeper
1. Joseph had not merely gone from Canaan to Egypt; he had gone from the favored son to a slave without rights or hope for the future. What are some of the changes that 39:1 would have meant for him and the emotions he must have struggled with?

This question will help people consider the very beginning of Joseph’s “new life” before he experienced God’s favor as a slave in Potiphar’s household. Try to keep the focus on this brief timeframe.

The author stresses the fact that, despite all appearances, “the Lord was with Joseph.” Why does he stress that? What form do you think it took?

Kenneth Mathews provides some insight (Genesis 11:27-50:26, NAC, 732):

Precisely what he achieved and how it came to his master’s attention is unstated, although “blessing” in Genesis typically involves material wealth (e.g., 24:35; 26:12; 30:27, 30). We may surmise that the household operated smoothly and Potiphar increased his holdings. This role presages his future status as second to Pharaoh by accumulating unprecedented wealth for the king (41:49; 47:15–26). Repeatedly, the narrative indicates that the source of his achievement was a divine grant (“the Lord”), not a native intellect or ability. The purpose of enriching those whom Joseph served and of establishing Joseph’s reputation, however, was not an end in itself. God’s blessing of Joseph resulted in his rise to power where he could provide sustenance and salvation for his family and for many (50:20).

The Lord gave Joseph “success and prosperity” in his new situation. How does this description refine our common understanding of success?

In Genesis 12:1-3, God promises to bring blessing through Abraham to the nations. In this instance, Potiphar was the beneficiary of God’s blessing. Joseph received increasing responsibility – but remained a slave.

2. The attempted seduction of Joseph and his continuous rejection of her aggressive advances is a well-known part of the Joseph story. Why might this woman’s invitations be a powerful temptation for Joseph?

It will be fairly easy for the group to come up with a multitude of reasons why Joseph would have been tempted. He is a handsome virile young man and a slave under her authority. There’s no community to support him, no moral examples to guide him, no intercessor to appeal to.

What do you observe about Joseph’s methods of and reasons for resisting?

“Joseph offered an explanation for his refusal of her solicitation based on three lines of argument: (1) the abuse of trust, (2) an offense against her husband, and (3) a sin against God… the crime is not against Potiphar alone; Joseph understood that this transgression offended God himself” (Mathews, 734).

3. False accusation is one of the most difficult experiences in life. Joseph has done the right thing, but once again the wrong person seems to win. What does the woman’s behavior reveal about her?

She was motivated by lust. Evidently, her needs aren’t being met by her husband. Notice that the only thing Potiphar concerned himself with was what he would eat (v. 6). She’s brazen in her attempts to seduce Joseph; begins with persistent enticing – ends with physical aggression. Having been scorned, she seeks revenge distorting the truth to obtain it. She knew her accusations with his cloak as evidence could result in Joseph’s death by execution.

Potiphar’s response is somewhat puzzling in that he imprisons, but doesn’t execute Joseph. Why might that be?

Potiphar “burned with anger” when he hears his wife’s accusations. The text does not tell us why Joseph wasn’t executed for attempted rape. Potiphar had authority to carry that out. Perhaps Potiphar didn’t believe his wife, but honor compelled him to take action. Notice that Joseph is imprisoned where Pharaoh’s prisoners were confined – a place under Potiphar’s control. Certainly, God’s hidden hand is evident here.

How did Joseph respond to this terrible miscarriage of justice?

See Colossians 3:17-24. You might ask something like “How would most people have responded to this turn of events?”

Living It Out
Consider breaking into two groups (men and women) to facilitate more open discussion (especially with question 2.) Then remain in these groups for prayer for one another.

1. Despite this being the hardest time in Joseph’s life, 13 hard and harsh years, it was evident to others that the Lord was with him (39:2, 3, 21, and 23). What might make people who know us say the same thing?

Another way of looking at this is to consider the evidence of God working in our lives. Do we see the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?

What should we learn from Genesis 39 about the Lord’s presence with his people? (See Isaiah 41:8-10, 13-14; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6)

You might ask something like “If we acknowledge that God is always with us, what hinders us from acting as though He is present?”

2. Temptation doesn’t always come in such an obvious form as it does in this case. What are various kinds of temptation that we experience?

To get beyond the superficial, it might help if you or your co-leader set the example by responding first.

What does the Joseph story tell us about facing temptation? (Consider also the principles found in 1 Corinthians 10:13.)

You might ask something like “How does 1 Corinthians 10:13 apply when we succumb to temptation?” or “Why do we sometimes ignore “the way of escape” and succumb to temptation anyway?”

3. Joseph obeyed his father and ended up in one pit. Now he obeys God and ends up in another. How should we respond when doing the right thing doesn’t turn out “the right way”?

You might ask something like “Who has been an example to you of doing the right thing despite things not going well for them?” or “How difficult is it to continue to respond in the right way when things are going badly?

One of the pastors introduced me to the Cripplegate blog some time ago. Monday through Friday, the Cripplegate provides a practical, thought provoking, or encouraging article. They’re brief (usually) and worthwhile reading. This morning’s blog, “Our Desperate Condition, God’s Amazing Provision,” was particularly encouraging to me. I recommend it to you.

I’m looking forward to our upcoming Koinonia Leadership Meeting on Sunday, May 6. As I mentioned last week, Bob Mason will be facilitating our discussion about what intentional outreach might look like through small groups. Please come ready to share your ideas!

OPPORTUNITIES
Dad-Kid Campout – April 27-29
Camp TLC – June 25-29

PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for the support groups that are currently meeting (GriefShare, Every Man’s Challenge, and Caregivers) – for the people who are coming and the leaders who care for them.

SERMON STUDY: When Evil Wins – Genesis 37:12-36

Source: The Holman Bible Atlas, page 50

Connecting
Betrayal is an all-too-common human experience. At the same time, we live in an era where people all-too-readily classify themselves as “victims.” How do you understand the difference between being “disappointed” by people and being “betrayed?”

Digging Deeper
1. Consider Joseph in this story.

Do you think there is any significance in his wearing “the robe”?

Was it wise for Joseph to wear this coat which had served to further alienate him from his brothers? Not wearing it might have dishonored his father. Some might see Joseph’s wearing of the robe as evidence of arrogance or naivety. Certainly neither he, nor Jacob, anticipated the response of his brothers since Joseph evidently traveled to them alone. In any event, despite any apprehensions Joseph might have had about going to Shechem, Joseph acted in obedience to his father’s will.

The robe itself was extravagant, the kind worn by royalty. Perhaps the robe helped draw the man’s attention to him in verse 15. Because of its unique appearance, the brothers could recognize Joseph from a distance.

Put yourself in his sandals. What do you think his emotions and feelings would have been at various points in his encounter with his brothers?

Some, because of their personal history, may readily project their past emotions on Joseph. This passage tells us nothing about what he may have been feeling. However, Genesis 42:21 provides some insights.

We can only imagine Joseph’s feelings as he is carried away to Egypt by the Midianites and sold into slavery. He apparently didn’t turn his back on God, as the rest of the story makes clear. Why?

As the narrative unfolds, we see the depth of Joseph’s faith in God and his desire to honor and serve Him well. You might ask something like “Why do difficult times draw some people closer to God while others turn away from Him?”

2. Describe Jacob as he appears in this chapter.

“Oblivious” comes to mind. Jacob seems unaware of the rift he’s caused within the family by his excessive favoritism toward Joseph. Even so, there’s some indication that Jacob cares for all of his sons; Jacob was worried about them. It was in Shechem that Levi and Simeon avenged the rape of their sister, Dinah, by slaughtering the men and plundering the city (Genesis 34:24-30).

3. The brothers may have been somewhat justified in their anger regarding Jacob’s favoritism towards Joseph. What do they reveal about the wrong way to handle anger?

Their unrestrained anger propelled them to do the unthinkable to Joseph resulting in tremendous grief for their father (whose love they desired) and a cloud of guilt that hung over them for the next twenty-two years.

What do they illustrate about the dangers of mishandling resentment, bitterness and unresolved conflicts?

2. At this point in the story, Joseph seems to be a prime candidate for bitterness and a victim mindset. Yet, the evidence of his life shows that he didn’t fall into either of these responses. How do we maintain a realistic view of the wrongs done to us and avoid bitterness?

In God’s economy nothing goes to waste. Romans 8:28-29 may be helpful here. (Don’t use this passage to try to encourage someone in the valley of despair.)

Looking Ahead
Next week, our study of Joseph’s life continues as we consider the dramatic events of Genesis 39.

The Easter celebration last Sunday was truly awesome. I personally believe the Lord answered many Pray4 prayers because we had a 14% larger turnout compared to last Easter. Let’s all acknowledge and praise God for answered prayer! It would be good to share stories in your groups about how God is moving in the lives of the people that have been prayed for – and keep on praying!

Pray, too for our new series that begins this Sunday, Joseph: God’s Mysterious Ways. The story of Joseph, found in Genesis 37 through 50, not only displays the sovereign purpose of God in Joseph’s life and in the people of Israel, it also reveals God’s ultimate plan of redemption for all peoples. (For a “Sneak Peak” click here.)

On April 1, Bob Mason shared a great tool as an aide in helping our small group members share their testimonies. You can download a copy by clicking here. Please share the tool with your group members. Think about having your members prepare their 6 minute testimonies and share them in groups of 2-3 giving feedback to each other on how to make them better.

Since we began Koinonia this year and have worked through some great series – 6G:Living at a Higher Level and Divine Encounters and engaged in Pray4, I’m convinced that God is beckoning us to engage more in reaching out to the unchurched people in our spheres of influence. At our next Leadership meeting on May 6, I’d like us to reason together about what intentional outreach might look like in our small groups ministry. I’ve asked Bob Mason to facilitate our discussion. In the meantime, please be praying that the Lord would give us wisdom and that He would provide workers for His harvest!

OPPORTUNITIES
Serve It Up Saturday – April 21. A great service opportunity for your group.
Dad-Kid Campout – April 27-29
Camp TLC – June 25-29

PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for our missionaries – for their personal & spiritual well-being, for the people they’re serving, and for their effectiveness and clarity in sharing the Gospel.

SERMON STUDY: Family Matters – Genesis 37:2-11

Connecting
Our families shape us for better and for worse. As you think upon your family background, what are you most grateful for? If you have children, what would you like them to be most grateful for?

“For better and for worse” is not a typo. No family is perfect-we’re all reared imperfectly.

Digging Deeper
1. Why is it important to read the Joseph story in light of the story line of the book of Genesis and, indeed, the entire Bible? What is the larger significance of the Joseph story?

The Joseph story is directly tied to God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:18; 17:1-8) and His ultimate plan of salvation. Moving Jacob’s clan to Egypt was key to His plan and had been revealed to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-16). God will use Egypt to shape them into a nation.

2. Today, we might call Joseph’s family of origin a blended family, but it certainly hadn’t blended! This chaotic mixture of the children of Jacob’s two wives and two “semi-wives” is disclosed in Genesis 29:18-30:24. What does a quick reading of that passage tell you about the family dynamics into which Joseph was born?

Blended and single parent families are becoming increasingly more common in our culture. It is estimated that 48% of children under age 18 do not live with two parents. Some of the members of your group may be able to relate to some of the family dynamics.

3. Genesis 37:2-4 introduce us to the basic actors in the Joseph story. What do we learn about them?

Jacob

Jacob had multiple wives and children through all of them. He loved Joseph more than his other children and showed him favoritism; he was his first son born from his beloved wife, Rachel who had died after giving birth to Benjamin. Jacob had experienced the problems of favoritism himself (Genesis 27), yet he didn’t seem to have any concern about the damage he was doing.

The brothers

They hated Joseph because of their father’s overt favoritism toward him. Reporting the bad behavior of his brothers (Dan, Napthtali, Gad, and Asher) probably didn’t help his relationship with any of them.

Joseph

Joseph, age 17, worked the flocks along with his older brothers. Some see his bringing “a bad report” to Jacob about his brothers as tattling, while others it as truth telling. In any case, he didn’t participate in their misbehavior. He was isolated and rejected by his brothers.

I think Jacob had placed Joseph in the role of a first-born son which was made official with the gift of the special robe; reporting their behavior might have been expected by Jacob.

4. In the larger context, it becomes evident that Joseph’s two dreams aren’t his dreams for himself, but God’s plan for Joseph’s life. What is the central message of the dreams?

God will elevate Joseph to a place of supremacy over his brothers and even his parents.

What are the various reactions to the dreams?

His father and brothers all understand the meaning of the dream. Jacob is less than thrilled, but still intrigued by it. The brothers hate Joseph even more and despise God’s purposes for him.

Living It Out
1. Jacob is, in some ways, a powerful example of how not to parent. He had come from a family that practiced favoritism (see Genesis 25:27, 28), a favoritism that had produced disastrous results. Yet, he repeats that pattern.

What should we learn from Jacob’s favoritism?

You might also ask something about the members’ own experiences with favoritism. Responses may reveal ongoing resentment and a need for reconciliation and forgiveness.

How do we break the cycle of destructive family patterns?

There will likely be people in your group who have had personal experience in this area. While some may have succeeded in breaking such cycles, others may be struggling and in need of someone to come alongside. Please don’t hesitate to stop and pray for a particular need.

2. Envy and jealousy are closely allied to hatred and have been considered deadly sins. Jacob’s favoritism was sinful, but so was the brothers’ reaction. What do we see here about those sins? How do we deal with those kinds of feelings in a godly way?

Here’s an opportunity to learn from one another.

3. Joseph’s dreams were not simply the projected inward desires of an ambitious teenager; they expressed God’s plan for his life which is dramatically realized as the story unfolds. How do we determine whether our “dreams” come from God or are really products of our desires or longings?

Some may take this literally as being about dreams that occur while sleeping. It could include them, but the idea is broader than that. Discussion here might reveal what people really believe about God and the satisfaction of their personal desires and longings. You might ask something like “How do you know when your desires are in conflict with what God’s purposes?”

Looking Ahead
Next week we will be looking at an ironic turn of events as we consider Genesis 37:12-36.