Bible Stories for Adults
Joseph Forgives His Brothers
Genesis 42-50
Welcome and Announcements
Next Week - The Birth and Flight of Moses (Exodus 1-2)
Bible Words to Remember:
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Opening Prayer
Brotherly Love (Genesis 37)
How well did Joseph get along with his brothers?
Genesis 37:4
How did Joseph contribute to this animosity?
Genesis 37:2, 5
How did the brothers take out their anger towards their spoiled brother?
Genesis 37:23-24, 28
What did the brothers tell their father and how did Jacob respond?
Genesis 37:31-34
Good News / Bad News (Genesis 39-41)
How did things go for Joseph in Egypt?
Genesis 39:2, 4
How did Joseph's situation change in a way that may have seemed that God deserted him?
Genesis 39:7, 10, 14, 20
How did God remember Joseph in prison?
Genesis 39:21, 23
What happened some time later that seemed like a way out for Joseph?
Genesis 40:2, 4, 8, 14
Did the cupbearer work for Joseph's release when he was restored as Joseph had foretold?
Genesis 40:23
How did this actually lead to Joseph's release in an entirely unexpected way?
Genesis 41:1, 8-9, 12, 14
What happened after Joseph said that the dreams foretold 7 abundant & 7 famine years?
Genesis 41:39-41
Seven and Seven (Genesis 41:46-57)
How did Joseph spend the first seven years of his job for Pharaoh?
Genesis 41:47, 49
How did Joseph know when to stop collecting and to start distributing the grain?
Genesis 41:55
How did Joseph distribute the grain? Did he give it to the Egyptians?
Genesis 41:56-57
Interesting, But Is It Pertinent? (Genesis 42:1-8)
What do all of these stories about Joseph in Egypt have to do with God's people in Canaan?
Genesis 42:1-5
Did Jacob's sons get to see their long-lost brother when they went to Egypt?
Genesis 42:6-8
Why didn't they recognize their own brother?
Genesis 41:45; 42:23
Spies From Canaan (Genesis 42:9-24)
Did Joseph take advantage of the situation and take revenge against his brothers?
Genesis 42:9-14
If not taking revenge, what was Joseph doing through these accusations?
Genesis 43:7
How did Joseph build on this to see if his brothers had changed?
Genesis 42:15-20
Why did the brothers think this was happening to them?
Genesis 42:21-22
Did Joseph get a chance to hear his brothers' remorse?
Genesis 42:23-24
Another Difficult Message for Dad (Genesis 42:25-38)
How does it become clear that Joseph had forgiven his brothers & wasn't seeking revenge?
Genesis 42:25-26
What did the brothers think when they found the silver in their packs?
Genesis 42:27-28
How did Jacob respond when the brothers told him their story?
Genesis 42:29-36
How did Reuben try to get Jacob's confidence, and did it work?
Genesis 42:37-38
When Ya Gotta Go... (Genesis 43:1-14)
What made Jacob reconsider his decision not to let Benjamin go to Egypt?
Genesis 43:1-5
Who put his own neck on the line to convince Jacob to send Benjamin?
Genesis 43:6-10
What did Jacob decide?
Genesis 43:11-14
A Confusing Fellowship Meal (Genesis 43:15-34)
What happened as soon as the brothers reached Joseph?
Genesis 43:15-17
What did the brothers think about being taken to Joseph's house?
Genesis 43:18-22
How did Joseph's steward calm their fears?
Genesis 43:23
How did the brothers respond when Joseph arrived for lunch?
Genesis 43:24-26
What was the most valuable gift Joseph received from them?
Genesis 43:27-30
How did this lunch become even more confusing?
Genesis 43:31-33
What other strange thing did the brothers see at this meal?
Genesis 43:34
Stolen Silver (Genesis 44)
Did Joseph let the brothers go home, never to see them again or reveal himself to them?
Genesis 44:1-5
How did the brothers respond to accusations of stealing the governor's silver cup?
Genesis 44:6-10
What happened when the sacks were searched?
Genesis 44:11-12
What did the brothers do with the prospect of telling Jacob that Benjamin is a slave?
Genesis 44:13-16
Did Joseph accept this?
Genesis 44:17
Who steps up on Benjamin's behalf?
Genesis 44:18-34
Luther: What would I not give to be able to pray before the Lord as Judah here interceded for Benjamin, for it is a perfect model of prayer, nay, of the strong feeling which must underlie all prayer.
Joseph Exposed (Genesis 45)
How much further does Joseph continue to push things?
Genesis 45:1-2
How does Joseph make it clear to them he has forgiven them and holds no grudges?
Genesis 45:3-7
What further plans did Joseph have?
Genesis 45:8-11
How was Joseph seeing part of God's plan, but missing the bigger part?
Genesis 15:13-14
Retiring in the Land of Goshen (Genesis 46-50)
How did the 130 year old Jacob respond to the idea of moving to Egypt?
Genesis 45:25-46:1
How did he know it was okay with God to leave Canaan and move to Egypt?
Genesis 46:2-4
Did Jacob plan to move to Egypt or just visit?
Genesis 46:5-7, 26-27
How did Jacob react when he saw Joseph for the first time in 20 years?
Genesis 46:29-30
What promise did Jacob ask of Joseph?
Genesis 47:29-30
Did Joseph fulfill this promise?
Genesis 50:7, 13
God Intended it for Good (Genesis 50:15-21)
What concerned Joseph's brothers after their father died?
Genesis 50:15-18
How did Joseph respond to their fears?
Genesis 50:19-21
Closing Prayer
Copyright © 1997 by Kurt Rosenhagen
Use of this material is provided free of charge for use in personal or group Bible Study, no permission needed.
The author reserves all rights for use in published material or in uses where fees are involved.
For permission, or to provide your comments, insights and feedback, contact the author at:
kurt@biblestoriesforadults.com