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Lesson 1

Genesis 32

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Recap: Points on Purpose (Acts 6-9; John 9) With Saul’s story, we learned that you’re never too broken, walking in your purpose has a ripple effect, and there is Godly purpose even within your practical job. Through Jesus healing the man born blind, we were reminded the importance of “going” when Christ gives us instruction. That “going” part is often hard though, so we discussed how to get ready to go whenever and however God calls.

The Backstory Who was Jacob? (Genesis 25:27) Mainly remembered for what? (Genesis 27:1-40) Where did Jacob then go to hide? (Genesis 27:41-45) How were Leah and Rachel part of the story? (Genesis 29:1-30) Coming Home (Genesis 31:3; 32:1-8) Where was Jacob headed? Why was this a big deal? Who met him on his way? What did he call that place? What was Jacob’s plan to appease Esau? The messengers returned to Jacob, saying what? How did Jacob feel about this? What did he do in response? Why?

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The Prayer (Genesis 32:9-12) In your opinion, how is this prayer unique or powerful?

The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) Jacob’s Prayer (Genesis 32:9-12)

The Plan (Genesis 32:13-21) Jacob prepared Esau a great gift and sent them by means of who? Why? What did he tell them to say when they met Esau? Why did he organize it this way? Where did Jacob stay while this was happening? Why? The Predicament (Genesis 32:22-32) During the night, Jacob took his family and their possessions across the Ford of Jabbok. When he was finally alone, what happened? When “the man” saw he couldn’t defeat Jacob, what did “the man” do? Then, what did “the man” ask? Not knowing who this man was, why might he have asked this question? Next, the man ____________ Jacob’s name symbolizing his changed ________. Finally, Jacob realized who this man was and renamed the place, Peniel. Why? How was Jacob affected from this wrestling?

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Lesson 2

Genesis 33

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Recap: Points on Purpose (Acts 6-9; John 9; Genesis 32) With Saul’s story, we learned that walking in your purpose has a ripple effect, and there is Godly purpose even within your practical job. Through Jesus healing the man born blind, we were reminded the importance of “going” when Christ gives us instruction. With Jacob’s story, we are encouraged to let God lead, always.

Approaching Esau (Genesis 33:1-3) What’s different about the first time they saw the 400 men and this time? (Genesis 32:6) What was Jacob’s next action step? How did Jacob order his family in regard to meeting Esau? Why? Where did Jacob place himself? What did he do while approaching his brother? The Meeting (Genesis 33:4-11) How did Esau greet Jacob and his family? Why? How did Jacob respond when Esau asked about his company? Why does this matter? When asked about the procession, how did Jacob respond? What did Esau call Jacob (v.9)? What does this explain about his view toward Jacob? At first, Esau didn’t accept Jacob’s offerings. Why?

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Jacob explained he was content with his provisions from God, thus Jacob’s gift to Esau was just that- a gift. Jacob also tells Esau that his face is like God’s. How would Jacob know this? The Move (Genesis 33:12-20) Esau offered to lead his men plus Jacob’s tribe back to Seir. What was Jacob’s issue with this? Why also might he have he disliked this plan? Esau then offered to leave some of his men to care for Jacob’s clan. Why did Jacob have an issue with that? Esau went to ______________, and Jacob went to _______________. What did Jacob do in Succoth. What did this mean? Why might’ve Jacob moved to Succoth instead of Seir? Why did Jacob move from Succoth to Shechem? What did he do there? Who did he purchase the land from? What did Jacob do in that place? Knowing Jacob, what does that mean to you?

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Lesson 3

Genesis 35

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Recap: The Story of Jacob Jacob is known for stealing the birthright of his older twin brother, Esau. Esau was filled with rage, so Jacob fled to Laban in Haran where he met both of his cousins and wives, Rachel and Leah. Though Jacob was blessed there, God told him to return home. On his way, he met Esau (and his 400 men). Though Esau asked for Jacob to return to Seir, Jacob refused and went to Succoth, and then, Shechem where more trouble occurred.

Prepare for the Meeting (Genesis 35:1-4) What trouble had just occurred in Shechem? What instructions did God give to Jacob? What instructions did Jacob give to his family (v.2)? What kind of departure might this have been? Why might that matter? What did Jacob say he’d do (v.3)? How did he describe God? Did the family follow Jacob’s instructions? If so, what did Jacob do with the idols? Protection and an Altar (Genesis 35:5-8) What happened to Jacob’s family as they set out on the urgent escape from Shechem? In Bethel, Jacob built ________________, calling it _______________________. Why?

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Promise Keeper (Genesis 35:9-13) When had God spoken to Jacob before in this same manner? Why are we reading this again? What did God also explain? Have we heard both of these things (the changed name and the blessing) before? How did God leave Jacob? A Response (Genesis 35:14-15) What did Jacob do in response? Jacob had another mountaintop experience, but with those, tragedy typically follows. Jacob’s first test was the loss of his favorite wife, Rachel, and then his father, Isaac. During these times, Jacob held fast to the promises of God, remembering the new life he had been given (a second time) as Israel. Application As believers, we must: 1. _____________ to meet God.

2. _____________ only to God.

3. _____________ God’s directions.

4. _____________ significant moments.

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Lesson 4

Genesis 37

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Genesis 37:1-11 Where was Joseph living? How old was Joseph at this time? What was Joseph doing at this time? How was Joseph set apart?

Dream 1 Dream 2

How did Joseph’s family react to these dreams? His brothers… His father… AT FIRST THEN

Why do you think Jacob wasn’t totally off-put by Joseph’s dreams? Genesis 37:12-18 Joseph was sent to check on his brothers in Shechem. What did he find when he got there? Why might this matter? Did Joseph continue searching for his brothers?

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When Joseph arrived, what had the brothers plotted to do? Why? Genesis 37:19-28 Who was Reuben? What was Reuben’s plan for Joseph? Why? What happened when Joseph came to his brothers? Who did they see while eating? What kind of people were they? Where do you think these folks were headed? Why would the brothers still want to sell Joseph to them? Whose idea was it to sell Joseph? For what price was he sold? What do you think Joseph was feeling or thinking at this time? Application Sometimes God must stretch us before we are used by Him. Don’t lose faith during those in-between times. o Can you recall a time God tested you? o How did it strengthen your walk with Him? o If you’ve never been tested, are you willing? God is developing your gifts all the time. o How was He developing Joseph at 17? o How is He developing you now? Jealousy is a stronghold that destroys love and induces hate. o We should never hate brothers that are being used mightily for Christ. o We should never feel jealousy because the future is uncertain. o We get rid of jealousy by taking our focus off self/others and putting it on Christ.

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Lesson 5

Genesis 39

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Recap • Joseph lived in Canaan and was Jacob’s _________________ son. He was

_____________ first born and wore a coat of many colors.

• Joseph often got special assignments that involved reporting things he observed

about his brothers back to Jacob, their father.

• Joseph had two dreams that showed he would someday ___________ over his

brothers, _________, and father. His brothers hated Joseph for these dreams and the

favoritism he was shown.

• Joseph was ____________________________ by his brothers and sent to Egypt.

Genesis 39:1-6 Where was Joseph now? How did the Lord treat Joseph? How was Joseph described by his brothers? Genesis 39:7-15 Joseph ( did , did not ) try to get fancy with Potiphar’s wife. Potiphar’s wife ( did , did not ) try to get fancy with Joseph. When did Potiphar’s wife start to look longingly after Joseph? Why would that have anything to do with the story? What was Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife?

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Joseph didn’t want to “do such a great evil and sin against __________________.” What does this show about Joseph? What does Potiphar’s wife mean when she says, “my husband brought a Hebrew to make fun of us”? What’s different about v.14 and v.16? Was Potiphar’s wife truthful? How did Potiphar react? Where was Joseph confined? What did the Lord do for Joseph now? What was Joseph’s new job title in prison? How did Joseph’s resume in Canaan help him land the positions he has now? How could his current position affect future ones? Applications God is working for your favor. Though it’s not required, you should work to earn it. You should care more about honoring God than pleasing people. Though seasons of life/our dedication to Christ changes, He will always stay the same.

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Lesson 6

Genesis 40-41

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Genesis 40:1-8 Who was with Joseph in the prison? Both men had ___________ on the same _____________, each with a ___________ meaning.

Chief Cupbearer’s Dream Genesis 40:9-15

Baker’s Dream Genesis 40:16-23

Interpretation Interpretation

Did Joseph’s interpretation come true? What did the cupbearer do once he was restored? Genesis 41:1-8 How long had it been since the two “prison dreams” occurred?

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Pharaoh’s Dreams Fi

rst D

ream

§ Seven __________ cows came up from the Nile and began __________

among the reeds.

§ Then, seven ____________ cows came up from the Nile and stood beside the

others.

§ The ___________ cows ate the ____________ cows before Pharaoh woke up.

Seco

nd D

ream

§ Seven heads of grain, _____________________, came up on one stalk. § Then, seven heads of grain, ______________________, sprouted up.

§ The ____________________ heads of grain swallowed up the

____________________ ones before Pharaoh woke up.

Inte

rpre

tatio

n

Why would God give two dreams, meaning the same thing, to Pharaoh? As of verse 8, who could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams? Genesis 41:9-13; 14-31 When and what did the cupbearer tell Pharaoh at this time? What did Pharaoh do after hearing about Joseph? What in significant about what Joseph did in verse 16?

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What kind of famine are we told this would be? Genesis 41:32-36; 37-45 What was Joseph’s recommendation? How was Joseph described by Pharaoh? What did Pharaoh do to or for Joseph? Genesis 41:46-57 How old was Joseph when all this happened? Who were Joseph’s two sons? When the famine came, no one had food except ___________. Who came to buy food from Joseph? Who did this include?

Applications Ever felt like you’ve been imprisoned for years? Don’t give up. God’s timing is vastly different from ours. When it comes to finding your purpose, be patient. Pharaoh could see the Spirit of God in Joseph. Do we have the Spirit of God in us? What would it take for others to see that?

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Lesson 7

Genesis 48-50

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Genesis 48:1-7 Jacob explained two things to Joseph:

What God said (v.4) Jacob’s own advice (v.5-7)

Ephraim- Why is Joseph’s mother, Rachel, referenced in these verses? Genesis 48:8-22 Why did Jacob ask who was with Joseph? What does it mean by “took them from his father’s knees” (v.12)? What is significant about the second thing Joseph does here (v.12)? Jacob placed his ( left, right ) hand of Ephraim and his ( left, right ) hand on Manasseh. Why did this mean? When Joseph tried to help him “correctly”, did Jacob allow that? 12 Sons of Israel 12 Tribes of Israel 12 Tribes of Israel Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Joseph Benjamin

________ Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun ________ Benjamin

________ ________ Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun ________ Benjamin

Genesis 49:1-4,5-12,22-26,28-33

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Fun Fact: The order in which Jacob speaks to all his sons is not in birth order. Maybe they were all sitting around his bed; therefore, he spoke to each as he went around the room.

Reuben

Simeon

Levi

Judah

Joseph

Why are there still considered to be only 12 tribes? Genesis 50:13-18 Now that Jacob had died, what did the brothers fear Joseph would do? What action step did they take? How did Joseph respond to this message? Why? Genesis 50:19-23 What ultimate conclusion did Joseph share with his brothers? Applications Don’t give up! Broken relationships can be __________. Sometimes your story will look __________ before God turns it into a big ___________. God loves to use the _______________ ones to do great works for Him.