Genesis: Week 56
Sunday, September 14, 2025
“Our God is a God of providence.” ~ Pastor Jason
Begin Growth Group Sermon Discussion
Start your Growth Group sermon discussion briefly by discussing the Spirit-led pastoral prayer by Pastor Jason. What horrific event influenced his prayer and how did it set the context for his sermon? How did he organize his pastoral prayer? Why did he interlace each of his 11 requests with Scripture? How can this format help us pray more clearly and confidently?
Read Genesis 45:8; 50:20, and Romans 8:28. Then pray, allowing these verses to shape your opening prayer.
Genesis 37
Read Genesis 37
Main Idea: When life seems to be killing your dreams, God is doing something bigger than you can imagine.
LAUNCHING QUESTION
After gathering together on Sunday morning (through the welcome, listening to the Disaster Relief Ohio ministry, being led in Elder’s prayer, praying together, worshiping in song together, listening to the sermon together, attending an educational class together, talking and listening to one another, welcoming new guests, etc.), in what ways were we helped to wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ by knowing Him and making Him known? How can the main idea of the message help equip us to help others?
Main Idea: To make the most of life, trust God and live for Him.
Three Questions - From Genesis 37
What does this passage teach us historically?
Summary: Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, who received a robe of many colors, has two divine dreams of his brothers bowing to him, and is the target of hatred by his brothers.
In vv.1-8, how did the brothers respond to Joseph’s first dream? What does v.8 tell us about the hearts of Joseph’s brothers? Why do they reject the divine dreams and hate his brother (see also verse 11 regarding their hearts)?
In vv.9-11, how did his father respond to Joseph’s second dream? What are we to make of Joseph’s father in light of verse 11?
In vv.12-35 we see Joseph’s brothers conspiring to kill their brother, changing their minds and selling him to Ishmaelites for 20 shekels of silver, and finally make up a story to tell their father that Joseph was devoured by a fierce animal. Whom were the brothers concerned with? Whom was Jacob concerned with? What consequences does sin have on the brothers? On their father? On Joseph?
Read v.36. Where did Joseph end up after the schemes of his brothers and the providence of God?
What does this passage teach us theologically?
God is a God of providence.
Read Genesis 45:8; 50:20; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 55:9; Acts 4:22-24; 8:1,4. How do these verses and Genesis 37 help shape our view of God and evil in the world? What does “the providence of God” actually mean?
What does this passage teach us practically?
We can trust God to bring good through every bad circumstance in our lives.
PRAY
That we will trust God no matter what
That we will believe that there is meaning in our sufferings
That our hearts will be strengthened in our sufferings
That our country will be invaded by Bible-believing, Christ-treasuring, people-loving movements
That Acts 8:1,4 will be our “turning point” to send forth the gospel in our neighborhoods and around the world