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Bible Essentials

Genesis 45:1-24

Joseph and His Brothers

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Opening

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

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Icebreaker

  • What is the biggest surprise you’ve ever had?

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Genesis 45:1-24

  • Read the passage
  • What is the context for this passage?
    • Joseph sent his brothers back home with grain and their silver, demanding they bring Benjamin back with them.
    • When the brothers finally returned with Benjamin, Joseph had a feast for them in his home.
    • Joseph placed his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack and then brought all the brothers back to the city when it was discovered.

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Genesis 45:1-24

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

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What does the passage say about God?

  • God knows the future.
  • God sets plans in motion to fulfill his purposes.
  • God is able to deliver his people.
  • God provides for his people.

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What does the passage say about people?

  • People can be very emotional in extreme circumstances.
  • People experience freedom to reveal the truth when the time is right.
  • People who meet others they haven’t seen in a long time ask for information about those they know.
  • People who understand God’s will often feel an urgency to obey.

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What does the passage say about people?

  • People who have succeeded want to tell others about it.
  • People experience joy at the fortune of others.
  • People give gifts to those they care about.

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What does the passage say about God’s plan?

  • God’s plan was to use Joseph to save lives.
  • God’s plan was to preserve a remnant of his people on earth.
  • God’s plan was to bring Jacob’s family to Egypt.

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Discussion

  • How does the passage fit into the overarching story of the Bible?
    • Joseph went from a prized son to a slave to a leader.
    • The nation of Israel went from the favored family to slaves to the Promised Land.
    • Humans went from the Garden of Eden to slavery to sin. We can have freedom from sin only through belief in Jesus.

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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?