Connect Where have you seen in the past week that Godʼs grace is at work in areas of weakness in your life?

Warm-Up

1. Have you experienced something difficult or confusing that only made sense when you look back?

Read Genesis 37:1-11

2. How does the chapter begin, and what do we learn about Jacobʼs family relationships?

3. What do Josephʼs dream suggest about the future? How do his brothers and father respond?

4. Favouritism and jealousy appeared repeatedly in the covenant family (Gen 25:28; 29:30-31). What ugly consequences can we see, and why do you think these patterns are so difficult to break?

5. How might favouritism, comparison, or resentment quietly damage relationships in our families, friendships, or church community?

Read Genesis 37:12-28

6. What do the brothers' words and actions reveal about how their jealousy has developed?

7. What strikes you most about the brothers' treatment of Joseph?

8. How might the brothersʼ action of gaining their fatherʼs affection destroy the very thing they want?

9. Jealousy usually begins small. What are some subtle ways you think people can grow resentment or bitterness in their hearts? How should we recognise and address them before becoming destructive?

Read Genesis 37:29-36

10. How do the brothers deceive their father? What consequences does it have for the whole family?

11. What strikes you about Jacobʼs grief? And might it teach us about the reality of grief?

12. Like Jacob, we can sometimes see the painful consequences before us. How can we care for people who is grieving or struggling to see Godʼs goodness, without offering simplistic answers?

13. The chapter ends with the word " meanwhile " (v. 36). Why is this final verse significant, given everything Jacob believes has happened? What “silent hope” does it point us to? (cf. 45:8; 50:20)

14. Joseph's story points us forward to Jesus Christ (Col 1:15; Acts 2:23). How do Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection assure us of God's love and faithfulness when we canʼt see what he is doing?

Apply Where in your life do you need to remember “God may seem invisible, but he is never absent”? How might looking at Jesus, his work, and his promises change the way you respond, pray, or trust in God?

Pray Faithful God, thank you that even when you seem invisible, you are never absent. When we cannot see your hand at work, help us to look to Jesus to see your assurance. In his name, Amen.

On Your Frontline this Week What work are you finding tiring at the moment? How can you invite God to give you strength at this time?

For Families • Download : some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read • Listen (sermon): “The Invisible God” by Glenn Nesbitt: https://stebbes.org/sermons/the-invisible-god/#sermons • Listen (sermon): “The Hiddenness of God” by Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/the-hiddenness-of-god/ • Listen (sermon): “The Boy with Big Dreams” by Dan Wells: https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=140795&show_file=151845 • Listen & Read (study): “Joseph the Exile” by The Bible Project : https://bibleproject.com/podcasts/joseph-exile/ • Read (podcast transcript): “Instruments of Godʼs Providence” by Sinclair Ferguson: https://learn.ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/instruments-of-gods-providence • Read (podcast transcript): “The Mystery of Providence” by Sinclair Ferguson: https://learn.ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-mystery-of-providence

Series Resources • Read : “Genesis” by Derek Kidner. 📚 • Read : “Genesis for Everyone: Part 2” by John Goldingay. 📚 • Read : “How to Read Genesis” by Tremper Longman III • Read : “Genesis: Story of God Bible Commentary” by Tremper Longman III • Watch : “Genesis 12-50” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-12-50 • Watch : “How should we read the Old Testament?” by Dan Paterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJtba-JyPVg 📚 Available to borrow from the St Bartʼs Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library