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Date: May 28, 2023
Series: Genesis: Trusting God Through It All
Sermon Title: Genesis | Part 32: Rightly Handling Temptations
Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21
Speaker: Mike Snyder
Questions:
Have you had a time in your life when you forgave someone so completely that you held no grudge or hard feelings toward that person? How did that impact your relationship with them?
Describe what it felt like when someone close to you, who really hurt you, came to you in genuine remorse and asked for your forgiveness. How did you respond?
In Genesis 50:15-16, Joseph’s brothers sent messengers to Joseph with their request. Why do you think the brothers sent messengers to Joseph instead of coming to him themselves? What had Joseph done that would lead the brothers to make such a move?
In Genesis 50:16-17, the brothers cited their father’s command to them to ask Joseph for forgiveness and also asked for the forgiveness on behalf “of the servants of the God of our father.” Why do you think they invoked their father in the request?
In Genesis 50:17, Joseph wept when he received the request from his brothers for forgiveness. Why do you suppose that Joseph wept?
In Genesis 50:19, Joseph refused to allow himself to take actions reserved only for God (to exact any kind of revenge on his brothers). Read Romans 12:17-21. How can we counter any temptation to avenge ourselves, according to that passage?
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph made a profound statement to his brothers: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” What are other examples (from your own life experience, another instance in the Bible, or in world history) where what was meant for evil was used by God for good?
In the first part of Romans 8:28, Paul states that God is the One who is working all things together for good. What does that mean to you? How does that statement help you in the present moment?
Because Joseph remained faithful to the Lord and endured the hardship that came his way, the Lord blessed him. Reading Hebrews 12:1-2, what are some crucial steps for us to take to remain faithful and endure whatever comes our way?
Notes: