Life Group Study: Joseph Week 1: Promise Week 2: Commitment Week 3: Identity
Spark The Dreams that re:ignite our passion. User guide: Welcome to this current Church wide study. Throughout the year, we offer opportunities for Life Groups and individuals to go deeper into the weekend content. The following guide provides an outline to go beyond the content of the weekend message. There is no wrong way to use this study guide. It is written in a format to keep a group on schedule for a meeting that is less than two hours. Use the pieces that work for your group or you individually. There are many levels at which you can participate. There are invitations to learn a habit of grace or practice of Soul Care weekly. There are also verses to commit to heart, if you so desire. Building into community beyond the weekend is the goal of participation, choose a level that brings your life in closer proximity to Jesus.
Joseph Study: Week One Week 1: What if God meant this for good? Promise Genesis 37:1-11 Welcome (10 minutes) Take the first ten minutes to welcome the group and introduce everyone, asking each other to share a fun fact from their life s story. Connect (20 minutes) Use the next 20 minutes ask each group participant what their hope is for this series on Joseph. What is the group excited about (new friends, new adventure, seeking God together)? What are the challenges with coming together as a group (time, commitment, people)? Choose the best way to communicate with each other throughout the week (Group Me, Facebook, texting, email). Opening Prayer (10 minutes) Use this time to begin your group time with prayer, asking God through the power of the Holy Spirit to be present and lead your time together. Pray into this week s heart verse and over any immediate concerns for your group time together. Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Word Chat (40 minutes) Understanding promise only comes into fullness when we understand who God is, who we are and how those pieces interact. As a youth Joseph had a very distorted view of who he was. He was raised as the favored child, from the favored wife. Joseph was, in today s vernacular, a spoiled brat. The coat of a many color or more accurately a robe with long sleeves was a sign reserved for those receiving special treatment, such as royalty. Joseph was raised thinking he was above his brothers. This mindset, of Joseph, added to the hatred his brothers had for him. His brothers could not speak peacefully about him. They had no shalom for him. Our story opens in Genesis 37 with Joseph delivering a bad report or tattling to their father about the actions of his brothers. We see so much wrong with our protagonist in the beginning of our narrative. He is immature and inexperienced in coping with the realties life presents to him. Joseph has no idea of what to do with what he knew. Joseph had no foreknowledge of what the dreams he had been given would become. As the story unfolds we will learn about the bigger plan of God, His story and Josephs own place in that story. We also see how God s favor upon someone is not always as we think favor should be. We see Joseph, over time and through trials grow into what God is calling him to. In our own lives we expect favor to mean immediate and free from trials, but that is not how our Christlikeness is forged. It requires time and
trials to shape our hearts and nature to be more like Christ. We will learn how God uses the ordinary trials of our lives to provide opportunity to partner with Him in His Kingdom all around us as we begin to look into the life of Joseph. We will see how this pattern of trials is more normative as displayed in scripture than not and in those trials, we have the opportunity to be transformed. Knowing the big picture of God s authority and acknowledging it, we are invited into participating with Him. When we look in to the pattern established in the story of Joseph, we begin to see foundational elements of a lifelong journey with Christ. Those elements include situations we do not see and do not know how to respond to because of our proximity to Christ. When we first begin to know Christ find we have so much to learn, and the longer we follow Christ the more we realize it takes a lifetime to learn. What if God meant this for good? The main theme of this week is correcting our view of God in His sovereignty. Learning to see God as a loving Father who works all things for our good, not at as cosmic unhappy stare in the universe always looking for ways to judge and punish us. Use the following questions to talk about our view of God and how we relate to Him as we follow Him. Select from the following questions as many as you need to use your discussion time, it is not necessary to answer each question.
Describe a situation in your own life that began as impossible and ended well. Do we always think of favor as immediate and free from struggle? What is a goal, from your own life, you have had to persevere to attain? How do we see God through the lens of trial? Are we willing to continue to pursue God when life is not as we think it should be? How do we define a maturing heart towards God? What does a life, empowered by grace, allowing time and space for change look like? Soul Care (10 minutes) As part of learning the way of Jesus we have the opportunity to respond to what Jesus is inviting us into. Each week we will be offered a way to enrich our pursuit of Jesus by practicing a different habit of grace. A habit of grace (spiritual discipline) is a way we make room in our lives for God to do what only God can do. In John 15, we read about being a branch well connected into the vine. The habits of grace create that space for God to make a stronger connection in our souls. Our souls are the part of our being in which we connect to God for all eternity. This week s habit is silence. Plan your week, making time each day to be silent before God. If you are new to this practice start with a small amount of time, such as three minutes and work
your way up. If you have practiced silence before, start with a more ambitious time, such as 15 minutes. Just as Jesus often withdrew to a quiet place to hear from The Father, make it a priority in your daily rhythm of life. Silence and solitude are at the foundation of caring for our souls. Remove as many distractions as you can, turn off you cell phone, seek out a place free from distraction and duty. As with all habits, begin with what you can do and how you can do it, for the action itself is not the end only the catalyst for creating space for God to do what only God can do. Community Care (15 minutes) Use this time to talk about your view of God and pray about having the correct narrative (story we believe about God) and for your group members. Soul Carry (This week s verse to know by heart) Philippians 1:6 Christian Standard Bible (CSB) I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. If we don t know a promise, it is no good to us. What is that promise? If we are following Christ this is the promise we live from, that as we go out and train everyone we meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practices of all I have
commanded you. I ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. Knowing the big picture of God s authority and acknowledging we are invited into participating with Him. When we look in to the pattern established in the story of Joseph, we begin to see foundational elements of a lifelong journey with Christ. Those elements include situations that do not see and do not know how to respond to because of our proximity to Christ. When we first begin to know Christ find we have so much to learn. Soul care, taking time to know God s word
Week 2: What if God meant this for good? Commitment Genesis 37:12-36, 39:1-6 Welcome & Connect (20 minutes) Use this first segment of time to welcome anyone new to your group and take a moment to hear the highlights of last week, asking each group member what their favorite flavor of ice cream is as an ice breaker. Use the remaining time to build into the community you are establishing. Opening Prayer (10 minutes) As you begin your prayer time, asking each group member if they participated in soul care the week before and how it felt to incorporate silence into their daily routine. Share a few reflections on silence and how that space felt and how God used it to draw Himself closer. God is never far off, we only need to stop and change our cadence to learn to hear Him better. Continue into prayer time inviting the very presence of God into your group and discussion time. Word Chat (40 minutes) The story of Joseph progresses very quickly, his brothers who planned to kill him, instead throw him into a pit and sat down to eat together in celebration of their victory over the little bratty brother. While eating, the brothers spot a caravan of Ishmaelites, and they sell Joseph into a life of slavery for 20 pieces of silver. Interesting fact, 20 pieces of silver would end up being the price of redemption for a
young male at the temple as stated in Leviticus 27:5. As the Midianites paid to redeem Joseph from his brothers. The caravan took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to an Egyptian named Potiphar. We read that the Lord was with Joseph and he became successful serving in the household of Potiphar, so much so that he was placed in charge of the household. Potiphar only concerned himself with the food he ate, Joseph was in charge of the entirety of everything, including the house and fields. Joseph had learned responsibility and commitment as a slave in this Egyptian household. He was committed to all that was entrusted to him. We can learn from Joseph to apply ourselves, even when the circumstance seems impossible and far out the reach of God. We see not only Joseph s commitment displayed here, but also God s commitment. While Joseph s brothers had abandoned him and sold him into slavery, God had not left Joseph alone in Egypt. We see God s bigger plan in effect here, from the timing of the arrival of the Midianites, to the sale to Potiphar and the blessing upon all of his household. Many times, in the process of becoming more like Jesus, we do not see the connection between the pieces until we are well into the story. At times we never see the completed picture of God s bigger story. Our responsibility is to remain faithful, committed to a lifetime of following Christ. Christianity is a lifetime process of moving towards greater union with God. To do this we must realize
what we believe and live as if what we believe is true. What if God meant it for good? The main theme this week is commitment, God s commitment to us always. We learn that God, who is sovereign is able work the circumstances around us for His Kingdom s advantage. Our story becomes part of His bigger story. We must believe that God is for us in a way that undergirds all of who we can every become. If God is for us, who can be against us. Use the following questions to talk about God s bigger story and how our story fits into God s story. Select from the following questions as many as you need to use your discussion time, it is not necessary to answer each question. Describe a time in your life you were in a bad situation, either from your own actions or those of others. Do we consider the process that happens along the journey of following Jesus? We see process playing out all around Joseph. Can you explain how God s process is displayed all around you?
What do you think Joseph may have been thinking about the position he was in, as the overseer of Potiphar s household? Where have you been given extraordinary freedom and responsibility in your life s affairs? Have you ever felt the weight of God s larger story resting upon your own smaller story? How could God use this for good? Soul Care (10 minutes) As part of learning the way of Jesus we have the opportunity to respond to what Jesus is inviting us into. Each week we will be offered a way to enrich our pursuit of Jesus by practicing a different habit of grace. A habit of grace (spiritual discipline) is a way we make room in our lives for God to do what only God can do. In John 15, we read about being a branch well connected into the vine. The habits of grace create that space for God to make a stronger connection in our souls. Our souls are the part of our being in which we connect to God for all eternity. This week s habit is meditation on scripture. We define meditation on scripture as a process of slowly reading a portion of scripture and allowing the words to be read within our own hearts. We are
not seeking application, but to glean what truth God would reveal to us about Himself towards us. It you are not familiar with this type of slow scripture reading, I invite you to begin this week. Psalm 121 is a fine place to begin. Chose to reflect on the entire psalm or just a few verses daily. The goal is not application or answer, but reflection on what God may be inviting you into. You may desire to journal your reflections. Soul Carry (This week s verse to know by heart) John 10:11 Christian Standard Bible (CSB) I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep. If we fail to fully realize God s commitment to us included the intentional sacrifice of His only begotten Son, we lose. When we believe that God created, through the way of Jesus, a place for us in His story it changes how we are able to see God s Kingdom all round us. We do not have the vantage point of God seeing the end from the beginning, so we must be committed to the lifetime process of learning the way of Jesus. Soul care, knowing what we believe
Week 3: What if God meant this for good? Identity Genesis 39:7-23 Connect (20 minutes) Begin to welcome everyone back to this week s study and ask each group member to share a peak experience and pit experience from the previous week. Use the time to allow people to settle and get reacquainted with each other. Opening Prayer (10 minutes) Take the time to begin with prayer asking that God would continue to reveal Himself through His Word and the gift of people He has provided for your session this week. Ask if anyone would share from their meditation the previous week as a form of prayer. Above all, ask for God to be present as you begin. Word Chat (40 minutes) Our saga continues with the calculated advances of Potiphar s lonely wife towards Joseph. Potiphar has left Joseph in charge of his entire household and gone away on some type of excursion, leaving his wife behind. In her boredom she finds Joseph very desirable to the eye and proceeds to use her feminine mystique to entice Joseph to compromise his integrity and position of authority. She is relentless in her pursuit of him and his affections. Joseph asks the question How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? Already we see Joseph is beginning to realize the place his story has in God s bigger story. Joseph decides to maintain
his integrity and uphold his identity by refusing the advances of Potiphar s wife. This is another critical piece in the formation of the character of Joseph. We learn from Joseph that our actions are greater than our immediate gratification or our current situation. Joseph could have easily satisfied Potiphar s wife s request; however, he choose not to. Joseph s story was becoming part of a larger story. Joseph had entered into the process of cementing his identity. Consider all the challenges Joseph faced, he was foreigner in a foreign land. The Egyptian served other gods than Joseph knew. Cultural differences all around him continually, yet Joseph did not have an identity crisis. Nonconformity to the world s standards and expectations requires we know who God is, who we are, and how those items form our narrative. What if God meant it for good? The main theme this week is identity. We must know who we are in Christ. Without knowing who we are in Christ, we will easily choose sin when tempted. Temptation will always come, our response to it is where our character is developed, just as Joseph cemented his identity further by refusing to sin. Use the following questions to talk about how God is shaping your identity, through the process of life. Select from the following questions
as many as you need to use for your discussion time, it is not necessary to answer each question. When was the most recent time you experienced temptation and resisted? How does knowing who you are contribute to your ability to fulfill your responsibly? Define who you are in Christ, as you see it? Why is our identity important in our relationship with Jesus? What is the biggest lie you have believed about your identity? Who does Jesus say you are, and do you believe that truth? Soul Care (10 minutes) As part of learning the way of Jesus we have the opportunity to respond to what Jesus is inviting us into. Each week we will be offered a way to enrich our pursuit of Jesus by practicing a different habit of grace. A habit of grace (spiritual discipline) is a way we make room in our lives for God to do what only God can do. In John 15, we read about being a branch well connected into the vine. The habits of grace create that space for God to make a stronger connection in our souls. Our souls are the part of our being in which we connect to God for all eternity.
This week s habit is worship. We may limit our definition of worship to only the songs we sing together on Sunday mornings, however worship is much greater than that. Worship is the act of ascribing worth to something. We can worship anything. Our habit this week is to create a personal space of worship in our daily rhythm. The more we are intentional in allowing ourselves to focus on God, the more we can understand and appreciate His infinite worth and worthiness. Allow yourself the freedom of expression personal, private worship brings. Community Care (15 minutes) Use this time to review your experience in prayer last week and take time to pray over the group for this week. Remembering to ask God for help in incorporating worship into your daily rhythm of life. Soul Carry (This week s verse to know by heart) Colossian 3:1-2 Christian Standard Bible (CSB) Therefore, if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God's right side. Think about the things above and not things on earth. Nonconformity to the world s standards and expectations requires we know who God is, who we are and how those items form our narrative. This
begins with what we think about, as we use worship to direct our thoughts, this week, think about the things above and not things on earth. Soul care, knowing who we are
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