Joseph

1.God in the Big Picture of Life2.God in Dysfunction 3.Being a Victim . . . Then What?4.Tough Reconciliation

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

1. Dysfunctional Family

1. Reuben = God has seen (my misery)2. Simeon = One who hears (I am not loved)3. Levi = Attached – “Maybe now my husband will

be attached to me”4. Judah = Praise God – “This time I will praise

God”

Dysfunctional Family

The set up: Genesis 29:16-30Leah’s first set of children

5. Dan = vindicated – “God has vindicated me”6. Naphtali = my struggle – “I have won a great

struggle with my sister”

Dysfunctional Family

The set up: Genesis 29:16-30Bilhah’s children, named by Rachel

7. Gad = good fortune8. Asher = happy – “Women will call me happy”

Dysfunctional Family

The set up: Genesis 29:16-30Zilpah’s children, named by Leah

Leah’s 2nd round of children9. Issachar = reward – God has rewarded me for giving

my husband for giving my maid to my husband10. Zebulun = honor – “Now my husband will honor me”

11. Joseph = May he add – “God, give me another son”12. Benoni = “Son of my sorrow” Benjamin = “Son of my right hand”

Dysfunctional Family

The set up: Genesis 29:16-30Rachel’s children

Genesis 37:3Genesis 42:24 & 38

Dysfunctional Family

A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuse on the part of individual parents occur continually and regularly, leading other members to “think this is normal”.

Dysfunctional Family

“Using” parentAbusing parentPerfectionist parentCult-like parentDepriving parentAbandonmentAppeasement for

peaceLoyalty manipulationHelicopter

The deceiversPublic image managerParanoid parentRole reversalMy baby foreverCheerleader/favoritismPolitician

Six basic roles of children in dysfunctional family

1. The “good” child – becomes the “parent”2. The problem child (scapegoat)3. The caretaker4. The lost child5. The mascot6. The opportunist

Things God wants us to learn

No pretending

Things God wants us to learn

Dysfunction does not stop God from being engaged in your life & accomplishing his purpose.

Things God wants us to learn

Dysfunctional parents should not be the reason to push God away.

Things God wants us to learn

It’s not an excuse.

Things God wants us to learn

Your past does not have to determine your future. . . Scars may remain, but they don’t have to define you.

Things God wants us to learn

Your story is not over.

Things God wants us to learn

You can be pro-active: Look to the Lord.

Things God wants us to learn

God re-deems you.