Lessons from the Life of Joseph Pt. 1
We’re three weeks into our latest series on “Lessons from the Life…” of biblical characters from some of the earliest stories of the Bible. This week we begin a two-part series on Joseph the 11th son of Jacob (AKA Israel). While Joseph does do a lot of things right (compared to some of his close familiy members) he’s certainly not perfect and his story gives us hints about his own fualts of pride and arrogance, but the overwhelming message of his story is that God is always at work, even when everything seems terrible, even when we don’t hear a direct divine word or see a miracle taking place.
Jacob Mourns His Son Joseph - James Tissot Date: c.1896 - c.1902
Anchor Texts:
Genesis 37:2-36 ESVUK - These are the generations of Jacob
Genesis 41:40-45 ESVUK - You shall be over my house, and all my…
John 2:24-25 ESVUK - But Jesus on his part did not entrust…
1 John 4:4 ESVUK - Little children, you are from God…
Questions to Ponder:
Fill in the blank: Our lives are not __________. How does this change the way you make big decisions? What about small every day decisions?
Can you connect Abraham to Joseph? Abraham had a son named _______________, who had a son named _____________________, who had a son named __________________. What is one thing you know about each of our forefathers?
Genesis 37 never mentions God directly; how does this chapter still show God’s presence and activity beneath the surface of the narrative?
Read 1 John 4:4 and John 2:24. Compare and contrast what these verses tell us about what humans are like and how God works in human beings.
What’s one example from your life where you can recognize God working “beneath the surface”?
What part of your or your parents story makes you doubt that God can still use you in his Kingdom. How does Joseph’s story challenge that doubt?
Answers: 1. “our own”, 2. Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Joseph
The Theme in Art:
Have another look at the painting alwready shown. Look at the faces and posture. Think about what the brothers of Joseph did to their father. They evil was extreme, but not unusual. Deception, lies, greed, and anger are common, even glorified in media. What have we become accustomed to in our society in the promotion of getting what we want? The brother’s story is a good example of how our evil will be exposed. As Jesus says, things whispered in dark rooms will one day be shouted from the rooftops.
The Theme for Kids:
Stories of the Bible from Saddleback Church has a great summary of this part of Joseph’s life for us!