Genesis 44:4

The Essential 100® Bible Challenge is a simple tool to read through the Big Story of God's Word. The reading plan is based on 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages. Continue with the third part "The Story of Joseph." ®Produced by American Bible Society in partnership with Scripture Union, Inc.

In this 11-day plan, you will study Genesis 37-50 which will take you through the life of Jacob and his 12 sons who later became the 12 tribes of Israel. These chapters highlight the life of one of those sons, Joseph, and his journey of hardship and forgiveness. We hope you’ll learn the importance of trusting God through difficult times and learning to forgive those who hurt or disappoint you.

Welcome to The Furnace of Leadership—a journey through the life of Joseph, whose path to purpose was paved with rejection, betrayal, delays, and detours. He didn’t rise through ease but through pits and prisons—and God was in every moment. If you’ve ever wondered why leadership costs so much, Joseph’s story is for you. Through his life, we’ll see how God shapes leaders not in spite of pain but through it. In the heat of hardship, He forges strength, character, and deep trust. And in His hands, not even your ache is wasted. Let’s walk this refining journey together.

In the fifth and final part of our Genesis plan, we'll see the story of Joseph and his family come full circle! Read about the amazing saga of Joseph's reunion with his brothers and his father and Jacob's final blessings over his sons. You'll also get to see some beautiful parallels to the gospel of Jesus in these chapters!