CrossGroups Connection Guide

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 50:15-26

In last week’s focus, we witnessed the dramatic reunion of Joseph and his brothers. Great famine was still present in the land, and Joseph desired to be reunited with his elderly father. He sent his brothers back to Canaan to get him. On the journey to Egypt, God appeared to Israel and assured him this was the right move. In chapter 46 we read of the tearful reunion of Israel with his once favorite son, having believed he was dead for twenty years. Joseph was a little apprehensive about presenting his clan to Pharaoh, as Egyptians were suspicious of sharing their lands with shepherds, especially during times of famine. However, Israel was able to stand before Pharaoh and bless him! Joseph’s family was given the rich pasture lands of Goshen in which to settle.

The remaining chapters of Genesis tell the story of death bed scenes. In the first one, we are told that Jacob lived seventeen years in Egypt, making him 147 at the time of his death. As Jacob nears the end of his life, Joseph comes to see him. For ancient peoples, where you were buried was almost as important as anything that happened in your life. Jacob made Joseph swear to have him buried in the ancestral tomb back in Canaan with his fathers. In the second deathbed scene, Joseph brings his two sons in to see Jacob. Jacob remains Jacob to the very end – he shows partiality by adopting these Egyptian boys as his own, and giving them equal status with his oldest sons. He also gives a greater blessing to Ephraim, the youngest of Joseph’s sons.

In chapter 49, Jacob calls all of his sons together for the final death bed blessings. Remember, this is the same blessing he himself received deceitfully from his father Isaac earlier in the story. This time, though, no son will be left out. These blessings are really prophesies for the future tribes of Israel, more than specific pronouncements about the sons themselves. For instance, the oldest three boys represent three tribes of Israel who never gained much land at all in the conquest of Canaan. The blessings of Judah and Joseph are by far the longest. This makes sense, for the tribe of Judah – David’s tribe – would rise to prominence in the South. Joseph’s tribes would do the same in the North.

Finally Jacob – whose name had been changed to Israel and whom the nation that bore his name would so identify with in the future – died. He was embalmed and carried back to Canaan in great procession to be buried with Abraham, Isaac, and Leah. Now, Joseph’s brothers assumed he had delayed taking revenge on them for the sake of their father. When they came to Joseph to beg for their lives, it hurt Joseph so badly he wept. Once again, he assured them God had been at work in their story. As Joseph himself neared death, he reminded his brothers that God was not through with their family. They still had God’s promise, and would one day be taken back to the Promised Land. We’ll have to wait until Exodus to see this promise fulfilled.

Today’s sermon will ask us to think about the blessings and promises we will one day leave.

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.

• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.

1. Do you have a special possession that once belonged to a parent or grandparent? Why is it important to you?

2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.

Today’s Sermon

Key Truths –

• Joseph left his family with promises.

• We will one day leave promises behind as well.

• God’s Promise would sustain Joseph’s family.

• God’s Promise will sustain us today.

This Week’s Assignment –

Having a CrossViewed life means holding on to God’s promises during challenging or sad times. What are some of the promises God has given us? Write down one or two that will serve as good reminders for you this week.

What promises are you leaving behind for those who will come after you?

CrossGroups Connection Guide

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 45:1-15

The story of Joseph reaches its dramatic and ironic zenith in this week’s scripture focus. This is Hebrew story telling at its best. Everything had transpired according to Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream. Famine had arrived, but Egypt had grain to spare due to Joseph’s great management. The famine had reached Canaan as well. Jacob had plenty of money to buy grain from Egypt, but his sons were understandably reluctant to travel to the land where the brother they had sold into slavery so long ago had likely ended up. Finally Jacob insisted they go buy grain. He made Benjamin stay behind as the only surviving son of Rachel. Once the brothers arrived in Egypt, Joseph immediately recognized them, though they didn’t know who he was.

We’re not sure of Joseph’s motivations at first – revenge or restoration – but in his actions he toys with his brothers. First, he accuses them of being a band of spies. They insist they are really brothers. “In fact, there are two more of us, but one is ‘no more’ and the youngest is home with our father!” Joseph at first puts all of them in prison, but then loads them up with grain and sends all but one of them – Simeon – on their way. He tells them Simeon will be released when they return with their youngest brother. They are already dreading telling their father of this turn of events, when they discover their silver has been placed back in their sacks. Now when they return to Egypt, they will be accused of theft and enslaved or put to death.

Jacob won’t allow them to return with Benjamin at first, but finally the grain runs out and they have no choice. When they return, humbly and with gifts, Joseph shocks them by dismissing the silver in the sacks. “It must have been your God” he insists. Then, he reunites them with Simeon and throws them a huge banquet – serving Benjamin a five-fold portion of meat! The brothers have to wonder if they are being set up. Sure enough, when they leave the next morning, loaded down with grain, Joseph’s steward chases after them and accuses them of stealing Joseph’s silver chalice, used for divination. The cup is discovered in Benjamin’s sack (having been placed there by Joseph’s servants.)

When Joseph insists Benjamin be enslaved, Judah makes a moving plea to take his place, as Benjamin’s only full brother (Joseph) has already been lost to their father. Joseph can contain himself no longer. After he dismisses all the Egyptians from the room, and cries loudly. He reveals his true identity simply – “I am Joseph. Is my father alive?” We can only imagine the shock this was to the eleven brothers. That shock would have been mingled with fear, for the brother they had greatly wronged – whose dreams of power they had so resented – now had the ability to take revenge. Instead, Joseph quickly assured them that God had caused him to end up in Egypt so that he might save their lives. The reunited brothers hug, weeping. We weep with them.

Today’s sermon will talk about God’s providence and our power.

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.

• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.

1. Can you recall a time when you were able to get revenge on someone? How about a time when you showed mercy?

2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.

Today’s Sermon

Key Truths –

• Joseph had all the power over his brothers.

• We all have a measure of power in our relationships.

• God’s providence was the source of Joseph’s power.

• God’s providence is at work in how we use our power, too.

This Week’s Assignment –

Having a CrossViewed life means doing using the power we have to fulfill God’s plan, rather than advance our own agenda. Who do you hold power over in your life this week? Find ways to use that power to feed (meet needs) and forgive (restore relationships.)

CrossGroups Connection Guide

Today’s Scripture Focus: Genesis 41:15-40

We’re continuing the story of Joseph – great grandson of Abraham and eleventh son of Jacob. Last week, we left him in a caravan bound for Egypt, sold as a slave by his brothers. In Genesis 39, we find out that Joseph ended up being sold to Potiphar, a wealthy officer in Pharaoh’s court. Joseph was probably initially purchased to do field labor, but his God-given gifts quickly showed, and he rose in the ranks of Potiphar’s servants until he was made house manager – the highest position a slave could hold. Potiphar placed tremendous trust in Joseph. Potiphar’s wife made advances on Joseph, but when he rebuffed them and fled, she accused him of attempted rape. Potiphar could have killed Joseph, but instead placed him in political prison.

Apparently part of Potiphar’s duties included supervising this prison, for he quickly placed Joseph in charge of it. Soon, two courtiers somehow angered Pharaoh, probably upon suspicion of an assassination plot. They were placed directly under Joseph’s care, where they both had troubling dreams. In order to fully grasp the rest of the story, we must understand the importance placed on dreams and their interpretation in ancient culture. The most prominent members of the court were those who interpreted dreams. However, these two prisoners had no access to the interpreters, so they were greatly distressed. Joseph, having been gifted by God to understand dreams, told the prisoners their meaning – one would be found innocent, and one would die.

After giving the two men the mixed yet honest meaning of their dreams, Joseph asked for help – finally. He told the men his story. He had been unjustly brought to Egypt and unjustly placed in prison. Joseph asked the cup bearer, who had received the favorable interpretation, to help him out when he was restored to a position of authority. Of course, the cup bearer quickly forgot Joseph. However, after two years Pharaoh also had a troubling dream involving lean cows devouring fat cows and lean “ears” of grain consuming healthy ones. The professional interpreters proved useless in deciphering the meaning. Suddenly, the cup bearer conveniently remembered Joseph at a point when it was politically helpful to him!

What we often miss in Joseph’s story is how wronged he was by the cup bearer, who was an important member of Pharaoh’s court and had the power to help Joseph greatly. Instead, he let him remain in prison. Joseph had to be cleaned up to even be brought into Pharaoh’s presence. However, Joseph’s situation was about to change greatly. Joseph not only interpreted Pharaoh’s two dreams, which showed that Egypt was about to enjoy seven years of plenty followed by seven years of severe famine. He boldly advised Pharaoh what to do! This was unheard of for a slave and prisoner. It proved a wise move – Joseph was made second in command of all Egypt, given a prominent wife, and became wealthy. God will use soon use Joseph to change the world.

Today’s sermon will focus on God’s authority to use our abilities.

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like to share anything exciting from their week.

• Did anyone do last week’s assignment? What was the result?

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as they would like.

1. If you could give the leaders in Washington DC one piece of advice to “fix” our problems, what would it be?

2. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

3. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

• Go over this week’s assignment (below). Commit to work on it together.

Today’s Sermon

Key Truths –

• Joseph had great ability but no authority to change his situation.

• We feel our situations are beyond our abilities.

• God had authority to use Joseph’s abilities to change his situation.

• God has authority to use your abilities to change your world.

This Week’s Assignment –

Having a CrossViewed life means doing what you can when you can. Look for opportunities to use your God-given gifts and natural abilities this week. Perhaps it won’t help change your situation, but with God’s timing it could change your world.