The End of the Beginning Genesis ends with many questions answered, but one big question lingering... Discussion / Reflection 1| What are your big takeaways from Genesis? 2| How has God used this study to challenge you? 3| Where do you go from here?
Final Words As he prepares to die, Jacob speaks these final words to his sons. Some are beautiful, others are harsh. Some answer questions we have, some raise new questions. Discussion / Reflection 1| What words would you (or did you) long to hear from your parents on their deathbed l? 2| If you have children, what do you hope to be able to say to/of your sons or daughters before you pass? 3| Again, how do you maintain your convictions in the face of pressure to conform?
Mourning What happens when we step outside of God’s path? Here we see that Joseph has done just that. I actually forgot to circle back to the opening question at the end - I’ll do that tomorrow! Discussion/ Reflection 1| How do you understand freedom? Do you have more of a cultural understanding or a Christian understanding? 2| What has happened when you have stepped outside of the way of God in the past? 3| Do you think Joseph will take this last chance?
The Fall There’s a lot here: Jacob stands up, Joseph falls, and we have to ask whether we are holding on to what is good at the risk of losing what is great. Discussion/ Reflection 1| What good things are you holding on to at the risk of missing what is next? 2| How are you tempted to building “Pharaoh’s Kingdom” (or your own kingdom) rather than work within God’s Kingdom?
Into Egypt Jacob and his family go into the belly of the beast. We (rightly) wonder, ‘How is this possibly going to work out well?’ After some divine assurance, Jacob goes on into Egypt. He is reunited with Joseph and we have our eye on this: will the people of God remain faithful, or will they end up like everyone else? Discussion / Reflection 1| How have you seen God use a difficult season in your life or someone else’s life to form you/them? 2| What do you not fear because God is with you (that you would fear otherwise)? 3| How are you tempted to be like everyone else?
The Reveal The mask comes off. Jeseph shows himself to his brothers. What will they do? What will he do? And...a new threat to the people of God... Discussion/ Reflection 1| When have you forgiven / been forgiven? 2| How does your faith make you different? 3| How are you tempted to be like everyone else?
The Test Don’t miss this one. If you haven’t read a lick or done a day of this bible study, jump in here. Discussion / Reflection 1| Are there any two worlds you feel torn between? 2| How would you respond to Judah’s request? Would you believe your brothers had changed and reunite with them? Would you “save” Benjamin from them? 3| Who are the people who have interceded in your life on your behalf?
Stepping Up Families fall apart. It takes intentionality to keep a family together. Here’s a man stepping up to save his... Discussion/ Reflection 1| What threatens your family? 2| How can you lead your family towards health? 3| How are you prioritizing the next generation?
Reunited Reunited and it feels http://so...bad. Joseph and his brothers meet again. How will Joseph react? Who is Joseph becoming? Discussion/ Reflection 1| What is your identity primarily rooted in? As in, how do you describe yourself? Think about yourself? 2| Does anything have too much sway over your self-understanding? 3| Does anything deserve more sway in your self-understanding?
Opinions and Decisions Joseph’s story continues. Here Joseph gets a chance to get out of http://jail...and he takes advantage. Along the way, we learn a lesson that’s helpful for us today about being an opinion maker vs being a decision-maker. Discussion / Reflection 1| In what arenas are you a decision-maker? 2| In what areas are you an opinion maker? 3| Reflect on Joseph’s life so far. What are some similarities to your life?
The Right Thing What is the right thing right in front of you? Discussion/ Reflection 1| How do you tend to react when you are in the valley? 2| Who do you know who reacts well in tough times? 3| What is the right thing right in front of you?
Risings and Fallings Joseph’s life was a proverbial roller coaster. What remained constant? Just this... Discussion / Reflection 1| What do you do to remind yourself that God is with you? 2| What is one way you have seen God be faithful in your good times? 3| What is one way you have seen God be faithful in your bad times?
A Leadership Lesson “Why is this in my bible?” That’s an understandable response to chapter 38 of Genesis. Here’s some more context... Discussion/ Reflection 1| Is there any wrongdoing you need to admit to? 2| Is there any action you need to repent of (stop doing)? 3| What is God teaching you about leadership through Genesis?
Birth Pangs The family of Abraham is becoming the nation of Israel. Their first challenge? The impulse to kill one another. For real. Discussion/ Reflection 1| How are you tempted to turn on those closest to you? 2| How do you maintain a focus on what’s most important? 3| How have you seen God redeem difficult situations within your family?
Jacob’s Deceit There’s no way around it, Jacob’s a little shady. What do we do with the deceitfulness of one of our heroes? Here are a few thoughts on faithfulness and deceit. Discussion / Reflection 1| Can you think of someone who has had to work around the system to do a good work? 2| Have you ever found yourself at a place where you’ve been unclear on how to move forward faithfully? 3| What does it say about God that God uses a guy like Jacob to father His family and found His nation?
