1 of 11

Bible Essentials

Genesis 42:1-38

Famine in Egypt

2 of 11

Opening

  • Share life updates
  • Review highs and lows of the week
  • Share prayer requests and praises

3 of 11

Icebreaker

  • Have you ever been reunited with someone after being apart for a long time?
  • Did you recognize each other easily?

4 of 11

Genesis 42:1-38

  • Read the passage
  • What is the context for this passage?
    • God gave Pharaoh dreams that foretold 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine.
    • Joseph made a plan to store up food in the years of abundance.
    • Joseph was in charge of distributing food to anyone who came to Egypt during the famine.

​

​

​

5 of 11

Genesis 42:1-38

  • Read the passage again, in a different version if available.
  • Summarize the passage in your own words.

6 of 11

What does the passage say about God?

  • God spread famine far beyond Egypt.
  • God inspires fear in the people who follow him.

​

7 of 11

What does the passage say about people?

  • People who are starving seek out food.
  • People protect those they love most.
  • People bow down to those in high authority.
  • People sometimes hide their identity from others.
  • Some people are better than others at recognizing people they know.
  • People share more information when they are being falsely accused.

​

8 of 11

What does the passage say about people?

  • People carry guilt around with them for past decisions.
  • People share the events that have happened to them.
  • People are frightened when something unexpected happens.
  • People fall into despair when they don’t understand God’s plan.

​

9 of 11

What does the passage say about God’s plan?

  • God’s plan was for Joseph to be in charge of distributing food in Egypt.
  • God’s plan was to fulfill Joseph’s dreams.
  • God’s plan was for Joseph to be reunited with his brothers.
  • God’s plan was to provide for Jacob and his family through Joseph.

10 of 11

Discussion

  • How does the passage fit into the overarching story of the Bible?
    • God gave Joseph foreknowledge of things that would happen in his life.
    • God gave Jesus foreknowledge of things that would happen in his life.
    • Even if God doesn’t give us foreknowledge, we can trust that just like Joseph and Jesus, God is working out his plan for our lives.

​

​

11 of 11

Discussion

  • What else strikes you about this passage?
  • How does the passage affect how you view God? How you view yourself?
  • How does this passage affect how you will live your life?