CONVERSATION STARTERS

1. Read Genesis 50:1–21.

2. Joseph endured betrayal, slavery, and prison before seeing God’s purpose unfold. Can you recall a time when your circumstances made you question God’s presence? What was that experience like for you?

3. Joseph forgave his brothers and saw God’s hand in their betrayal. What does forgiveness look like when the pain is fresh? How can you imagine God using that hurt for something good?

4. Joseph didn’t know the end of his story while he was living it. While Genesis–Revelation helps us see the “whole story,” there are still times where doubt of God’s plan can creep in. Are there practical reminders that have helped you stay grounded in times of suffering and confusion?

5. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph says to his brothers "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done ..." Can you look back on your life and see a time that was meant for harm, but God has used it to grow you, protect you, or bless others? What did you learn about God through that experience?

6. Joseph’s story reminds us that God’s purpose isn’t always visible. How can Joseph's story and his faithfulness through hard situations be an encouragement to you this week? How can you use this to encourage others?

Title: Joseph
Reference: Genesis 37:1-8
Speaker: Taylor Fair, TaylorF@cckc.church

– God is with you even in the worst.

– You can be faithful even in the worst circumstances.

It is perhaps most striking of all to realize that if God had given Joseph the things he was likely asking for in prayer, it would have been terrible for him. And we must realize that it was likely that God essentially said no relentlessly, over and over, to nearly all Joseph’s specific requests for a period of about twenty years. Most people I know would have given up and said, ‘If God is going to shut the door in my face every time I pray, year in and year out, then I give up.’ But if Joseph had given up, everything would have been lost. In the dungeon, Joseph turns to God for help in interpreting the dream. Despite all the years of unanswered prayer, Joseph was still trusting God. …Joseph immediately turned to God for help to interpret the dream. He had an intact relationship with the Lord — he had not turned away from him. - Tim Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

– You can forgive even the worst offenses.

– You can flourish even from the worst afflictions.

And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined. - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion

And Ilúvatar spoke to Ulmo, and said: 'Seest thou not how here in this little realm in the Deeps of Time Melkor hath made war upon thy province? He hath bethought him of bitter cold immoderate, and yet hath not destroyed the beauty of thy fountains, nor of thy clear pools. Behold the snow, and the cunning work of frost! Melkor hath devised heats and fire without restraint, and hath not dried up thy desire nor utterly quelled the music of the sea. Behold rather the height and glory of the clouds, and the everchanging mists; and listen to the fall of rain upon the Earth!

Then Ulmo answered: 'Truly, Water is become now fairer than my heart imagined, neither had my secret thought conceived the snowflake, nor in all my music was contained the falling of the rain.