Genesis 37:1, 9-11
Genesis 50:17-21 (ESV)

37 Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan.
9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Small Group Discussion Questions (Genesis)

1. Do you think Joseph’s sense of self-importance, vanity and pride caused his downfall? How would you have reacted if you were one of the brothers hearing Joseph's dream?
2. How do you think a person like Joseph was able to get past the deep hurt his brothers’ rejection and betrayal would have caused?
3. Discuss your understanding of how God’s providence works in bringing about opportunities that lead us toward God’s purpose and destiny for our lives.
4. How would you describe the moral characteristics that had become a part of Joseph’s approach to life that would have caused him to, in the eyes of others, be a man who could expect effective and successful results from whatever he put his hands to?
5. The open door that would release Joseph from prison into great exaltation of position was directly related to simply doing what was in front of him with a caring heart and doing it thoroughly. He served faithfully in the prison, never having any expectation that benefit would come directly to him. Describe the mindset of a person who can live each day as if every person and every event has its own value, and may be full of great potential.

Acts 7:9-16 (ESV)

9 “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.11 Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food.12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit.13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to Pharaoh.14 And Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all.15 And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers,16 and they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

Small Group Discussion (Acts)
1. Describe how Joseph ended up in Egypt and what happened to him there. How did Joseph provide for Jacob and his family?
2. What lesson can we learn about forgiveness from this story? How would you feel to know that all of your suffering was ultimately not just allowed by God but designed by him?
3. What do you think kept Joseph going through all of the years of abandonment, betrayal and forgotten dreams? What character traits do you need to be working on or asking God for now that will help you stay faithful over the years?

Matthew 5:3-12 (ESV)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Small Group Discussion Questions (Matthew)
1. Joseph had to be brought low for God to work through him effectively. After his many trials he could have been described as low in spirit, a mourner, hungry, and certainly persecuted. "The pit" plays a big part in Joseph's life. What role does the "pit" play in character development?
2. The "attitudes" in these verses change our character and guide us in getting along with others. Examine each one. What is the requirement to be met and what is the reward?
3. Is there one verse that speaks to your current situation in life?