Lesson: Joseph & His Family

Session 1

Scripture Reading

Introduction: An Ancient Family with Modern Problems…

1. Joseph's family was a ___________ _______ of relationships.
   • (Chart of the Family tree)
2. Joseph's father, Jacob, had 2 wives, 2 concubines, 12 sons, and 1 daughter.
3. Joseph's generational heritage and immediate family were highly ________________.
   1. Much of Jacob's life was characterized by ___________________. (Genesis 27–33)
   2. Joseph's brothers were consumed with ___________________. (Genesis 34)
   3. Joseph's father and grandfather faced conflict with avoidance and ___________. Genesis 26:6–11; 35:32

4. Jacob blatantly expressed his _______________ by making Joseph a richly ornamented robe.

5. Joseph's brothers were filled with hatred and _________________.

6. Joseph's brothers demonstrated their hatred by ________________.
   • Joseph's brothers ______________ how to kill him.
   • Reuben and Judah _______________ to save Joseph's life.
   • His brothers sold Joseph to Midianite merchants heading to _____________.

The Sins of the Father…

• The merchants sold Joseph to ______________.
• Jacob's sin of deception was __________________ by his sons.
  • The brothers _______________ their father with Joseph's blood-soaked robe.
  • Jacob mourned and refused to be _________________.

Breaking the Cycle…

By trusting God, Joseph refused to be ________________ by the dysfunction of his family.

1. Joseph rejected deception and chose ________________.
2. Joseph rejected revenge and chose _________________.
3. Joseph rejected passivity and chose _________________.
4. Joseph rejected favoritism and chose ________________.
5. Joseph rejected jealousy and chose __________________.
6. Joseph rejected betrayal and chose _________________.

Conclusion

The Painful Reality…

There are no perfect families.

• Every home is broken as a result of the ______ and the ________.
• This cycle of dysfunction is not ______________.
• It can be broken by the ______________ we make in response to God's grace.

Our Response

1. How has the dysfunction in the home you grew up in negatively _______________ you?
2. Have you, or will you, ________________ your parents and siblings?
3. In what one specific area do you most want to break your generational pattern and establish a new _______________?
4. In what ways do you see your personal _________________ __________ manifested in your children?
5. When and how will you humbly ask your children's ___________________ and help them learn from your __________________?