Weekend Service

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Often we look at life working in a linear, predictable manner. We function under the assumption that if we do good things, we get good results. Conversely, we assume that if we do bad things we get bad results. If you are a believer, you can easily apply similar logic to your spiritual life. Our thoughts travel along the lines that if I do good things, God will bless me. Similarly, we conclude that if bad things happen to me then God must be against me. What happens to our faith when these perspectives get challenged? Today, in part 3 of our series on Joseph, we look closely at Genesis 39 and see Joseph’s circumstances running drastically different to our assumptions. The story of Joseph may cause us to realign our thoughts to God’s sovereignty and our attitudes toward Him and our circumstances. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Warm-up: 1. If you are part of a group, take a few minutes and have each person finish the sentences below. Once you have given time for everyone to complete the sentences, then take some time to each discuss your answers. The answers can be fun or serious. a. When I see God at work in my life in my life it makes me feel _________ . b. When I experience bad things in my life it makes me feel _________. c. When I experience good things in my life it makes me feel __________. Bible Study 2. Compare verses 1-6a with verses 20-23. a. How do these verses mirror one another? b. What words, phrases, and ideas are repeated? c. What is the significance of these parallel truths bracketing the chapter? 3. What was the result of God’s presence in Joseph’s life for Joseph and for other people (v. 1-6a and v. 20-23)? a. What is your emotional and intellectual response to the reality that God’s presence, blessing, and plan for your life could include significant times of captivity, suffering and pain? b. How have you experienced a “captivity” integrated with God’s presence? Applying Truth to your Life 4. What did you hear this weekend that inspired you, challenged you, or caused you to reconsider your perspective on life’s circumstances? 5. How does this perspective of God’s presence and sovereignty in our “captivity” challenge us to reevaluate our attitudes towards God? a. How does this change our efforts to serve God within our circumstances? b. When we truly believe God’s lovingkindness towards us in spite of our circumstances, how could this help us seek God’s desire to use us? 6. When we look at the story of Joseph as it relates to Genesis 39, have you considered the overarching narrative that Joseph goes to a foreign land and brings blessings to foreigners and ultimately is made in charge and saves the nation from famine? What are the parallels between the life of Joseph and the life of Jesus? There are many. How does this perspective further show us God’s desire to use us in all circumstances to bring Good News to the lost?