Bible Essentials

Genesis 37:1-11

Joseph’s Dreams

Opening

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

Icebreaker

• What is your most recurring dream?

Genesis 37:1-11

• Read the passage
• What is the context for this passage?
• Jacob returned to the land of Canaan to live.
• Rachel died while giving birth to Benjamin, Jacob’s last son.
• Isaac also died at the age of 180.
• Genesis switches focus to the life of Joseph.

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Genesis 37:1-11

• 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 knows the future.
• God can speak to people through dreams.

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What does the passage say about people?

• People often continue to live in the same place as their parents.
• Siblings often foster bad feelings and jealousy among themselves.
• Parents sometimes favor one sibling over another.
• People shower those they love with gifts.

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What does the passage say about people?

• Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers.
• Joseph’s brothers seemed to understand the meaning of Joseph’s dreams.
• People can respond differently to the same information.

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What does the passage say about God’s plan?

• God’s plan was to place Joseph in a position of authority over his family.
• God’s plan was that Joseph’s family would bow down to him.

Discussion

• How does the passage fit into the overarching story of the Bible?
• The hatred that Joseph’s brothers had for him made them sell him to merchants.
• Joseph rose to a position of power in Egypt.
• Joseph’s family bowed down to him and eventually moved to Egypt.
• The Israelites became slaves in Egypt, and God delivered them.

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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?