Part 1: Family Dysfunction

CONVERSATIONS - PART 1

“This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.”

Genesis 37:2 (NIV)

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.”

Genesis 37:3-4 (NIV)

“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.”

Genesis 37:5 (NIV)

“But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.”

Genesis 37:18 (NIV)

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

• God was stripping Joseph of his pretense and pride so his character could grow.

“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”                                                             Genesis 39:1-2 (NIV)

THREE LESSONS TO LIVE OUT FROM
 THE LIFE OF JOSEPH:

1.  GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

2.  RIGHT NOW, GOD IS PREPARING YOU FOR THOSE PLANS AND PURPOSES.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)

3.  GOD HAS PROMISED TO BE WITH YOU THROUGH IT ALL.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”                                                                                

Ephesians 6:13-15 (NIV)

• Starve your fears and feed your faith.

  • Stop social distancing.  Next step #2-3

  • Hold on to hope.  Next step 4-5

 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” 

James 1:12 (NIV)                                                                                          

NEXT STEPS: 

• Answer the question: How is God preparing me now for His plans?  _________________

• Take action to connect and reach out to people this week.

• Learn more about being in a group.

• Learn more about Jesus Christ and follow Him.

• Learn more about baptism.

• Reading Plan: YouVersion® Bible App - “The Essential 100 Bible Challenge - The Story of Joseph” (5-day plan).