The Bridge Church
Joseph: Living The Dream - Week 6
December 11, 2022
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
"Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive." C.S. Lewis
How was Joseph Able to Forgive?
1. Joseph grieved the hurt (Joseph wept)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time
I need to be baptized
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time
I need to be baptized
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
2. Joseph refused to seek revenge
3. Joseph trusted God's providence
We forgive because we have been forgiven
Dig Deeper:
1. What has this series revealed to you so far?
2. Why is forgiveness difficult? Why is it “easier” sometimes to hold onto pain instead of forgiving?
3. This sermon focuses on the joy of forgiveness. How can forgiveness produce joy?
4. Describe a time when you’ve had to forgive someone. How were you able to do so?
5. Read Genesis 42:6. Joseph’s dream from all those years ago is being lived out. What do you think Joseph must have felt in that moment?
6. Read Genesis 42:7-8. Why do you think Joseph didn’t reveal who he was to his brothers when he first recognized them? What is the advantage of waiting to tell them? What is the disadvantage?
7. Read Genesis 42:24a. Have you ever had a breakthrough moment like Joseph did? What did it feel like?
8. Read Genesis 45:2. Have you ever wept so loudly you didn’t care who heard you? How can weeping help in healing?
9. Read Genesis 45:4-5. Have you ever wronged someone else and expected payback from them only to receive love and forgiveness? What was your response?
10. Have you ever gotten back at someone, thinking that it would make you feel better? Did you have the outcome that you expected?
11. Read Genesis 45:6-8. Describe a time in your life when you’ve seen God working through a painful experience.
12. Read Genesis 45:14-15. Joseph had a decision to make in this moment. How does his actions change not only his life but the life of his brothers?
13. Read Ephesians 4:32. How does Joseph foreshadow Jesus?
14. Why is it important to look to Jesus when thinking about forgiveness?
Live It Out:
Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness flows out of a close walk with Jesus. We forgive out of the forgiveness that we have been given. Spend time this week reflecting on how you can deepen your relationship with Jesus.
1. Grieve the hurt. God invites us to grieve towards Him. Are you trying to tough it out or stuff away a hurt that you haven’t dealt with? This week, bring that hurt to God and lay it down at His feet. No one knows hurt more than Jesus. Ask Him to walk with you as you grieve the hurt you feel.
2. Refuse to seek revenge. Joseph chose to show grace rather than revenge. You have that same choice. Where does revenge lead? What good can come out of it? How can you put aside any bitterness you feel today?
3. Trust God’s providence. Three times (verse 5,7, and 8) Joseph shares, “God sent me ahead of you.” Identify how you have seen God go ahead of you in the past. How can those examples allow you to trust God now in your circumstance?
Reading Plan:
Monday: Genesis 45:1-15
Tuesday: Genesis 45:42-44
Wednesday: Matthew 5:43-48
Thursday: Romans 12:9-21
Friday: James 1:19-25
Saturday: Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 5:4
1. What has this series revealed to you so far?
2. Why is forgiveness difficult? Why is it “easier” sometimes to hold onto pain instead of forgiving?
3. This sermon focuses on the joy of forgiveness. How can forgiveness produce joy?
4. Describe a time when you’ve had to forgive someone. How were you able to do so?
5. Read Genesis 42:6. Joseph’s dream from all those years ago is being lived out. What do you think Joseph must have felt in that moment?
6. Read Genesis 42:7-8. Why do you think Joseph didn’t reveal who he was to his brothers when he first recognized them? What is the advantage of waiting to tell them? What is the disadvantage?
7. Read Genesis 42:24a. Have you ever had a breakthrough moment like Joseph did? What did it feel like?
8. Read Genesis 45:2. Have you ever wept so loudly you didn’t care who heard you? How can weeping help in healing?
9. Read Genesis 45:4-5. Have you ever wronged someone else and expected payback from them only to receive love and forgiveness? What was your response?
10. Have you ever gotten back at someone, thinking that it would make you feel better? Did you have the outcome that you expected?
11. Read Genesis 45:6-8. Describe a time in your life when you’ve seen God working through a painful experience.
12. Read Genesis 45:14-15. Joseph had a decision to make in this moment. How does his actions change not only his life but the life of his brothers?
13. Read Ephesians 4:32. How does Joseph foreshadow Jesus?
14. Why is it important to look to Jesus when thinking about forgiveness?
Live It Out:
Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness flows out of a close walk with Jesus. We forgive out of the forgiveness that we have been given. Spend time this week reflecting on how you can deepen your relationship with Jesus.
1. Grieve the hurt. God invites us to grieve towards Him. Are you trying to tough it out or stuff away a hurt that you haven’t dealt with? This week, bring that hurt to God and lay it down at His feet. No one knows hurt more than Jesus. Ask Him to walk with you as you grieve the hurt you feel.
2. Refuse to seek revenge. Joseph chose to show grace rather than revenge. You have that same choice. Where does revenge lead? What good can come out of it? How can you put aside any bitterness you feel today?
3. Trust God’s providence. Three times (verse 5,7, and 8) Joseph shares, “God sent me ahead of you.” Identify how you have seen God go ahead of you in the past. How can those examples allow you to trust God now in your circumstance?
Reading Plan:
Monday: Genesis 45:1-15
Tuesday: Genesis 45:42-44
Wednesday: Matthew 5:43-48
Thursday: Romans 12:9-21
Friday: James 1:19-25
Saturday: Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 5:4