Perspective: Wk2 - GROUP GUIDE

INTRODUCTION: The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN:  If you are willing to share, was there ever a crucible moment in your life, a difficulty that you endured, that ultimately helped shape you into an even better version of yourself?

SCRIPTURE READING
Read together:  Genesis 39:1-23, 1 Corinthians 6:18

While an outsider may have looked at Joseph’s life and thought God had abandoned him, we come to find out that the opposite is true.

HEAD: Explore the Text

1. Share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts you received just from listening to the text, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
2. What do you think happened to Joseph between the time he was sold by his brothers, to the time where he is put in charge of Potiphar’s house? What changed in his own character development?
3. How do you think Joseph is able to keep from sinning by going to bed with Potiphar’s wife, especially with the day after day after day temptation? Do you think it was always easy for him to say no?
4. Joseph loses his position and gets put in prison for something he didn’t do. How would that make you feel? What’s different in Joseph in this part of the story, versus when his brothers sold him into slavery?
5. What choices do you think Joseph has to continue to make in order to keep being a blessing no matter his circumstances?
6. Why do you think Paul was so strong with his words in 1 Corinthians 6:18?

HEART: Personal Reflection

1. What can we learn from Joseph’s story about our own negative circumstances and God’s involvement in our lives during those times? 
2. One can certainly say that Joseph chose to make the best out of a bad situation. How does that choice witness to others about your own character, but also, your faith and trust in God?
3. When temptation comes our way, how are we to resist? Share what has helped you, as well as what to do when you give in and fail.
4. How do you and I stay grounded in who God is, in bad circumstances, when tempted, and when the world tells us to give up?

HANDS: Practice This Week
Spiritual Practice: Repentance

• This week, find some time to listen to and meditate on the words of Matt Maher’s song, “Lord I need you.”
• List the spaces in your life, right now, where you need God’s grace to be more.
• In prayer, fall on Jesus and let Him hold you in His arms of love and grace as He offers you His robe of righteousness to wear, showing you belong to Him now and always.

Invite the group to check in next week about their experience.

FINISH WELL: Bring It Home

• What is an area in your life right now that is a weakness, an area that you need God’s help with most?
• Practice surrendering, three times a day, that part of your life to God in His good grace.

WORDS TO REMEMBER
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (I John 1:9, NLT)