Bible Essentials

Genesis 37:12-36

Joseph Sold into Slavery

Opening

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

Icebreaker

• What was a time in your life when you had to leave what happened in God’s hands?

Genesis 37:12-36

• Read the passage
• What is the context for this passage?
• Joseph is the firstborn of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel.
• Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons.
• Joseph’s brothers hated him and mistreated him.

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Genesis 37:12-36

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

What does the passage say about God?

• God is always working things out for his own purposes.

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What does the passage say about people?

• Joseph’s brothers were shepherds, but he was not.
• Jacob used Joseph as a messenger to check on his brothers.
• Sometimes people have to stop and ask for directions.
• Hatred can make people want to do evil things.
• Not all the brothers wanted Joseph dead.

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What does the passage say about people?

• People often make decisions for their own gain.
• People panic when the unexpected happens.
• People use deceit to cover up their poor choices.
• People mourn the death of those they love.

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What does the passage say about God’s plan?

• God’s plan was to get Joseph to Egypt.

Discussion

• How does the passage fit into the overarching story of the Bible?
• God used Joseph in Egypt to save not only Egypt from famine but also Joseph’s own family.
• Just as God used the hatred in the hearts of Joseph’s brothers to bring about his divine plan, God used the hatred in the hearts of the religious leaders to bring about his divine plan to have Jesus pay the penalty for sin on the cross.

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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?