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THE BIG PICTURE

Genesis 37:5-8,26-28; 50:15-21 By John R Wible

November 1, 2013

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The Big Picture

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The Big Picture (Literally)

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What’s the Point?

God is at work even in the midst of conflict.

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Conflict• Can feel draining, can feel like it is

keeping us from something meaningful• God can use whatever conflict to bring

meaningful results in our lives. • Conflict can lead to resolution, which can

lead to stronger relationships.• God can strengthen our faith and

endurance through conflict.11/17/2013

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The Bible Passage• Genesis 37:5-8,26-28; 50:15-21 • Joseph’s life from teenage to Vice-

Pharoah

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The Setting• Favoritism, hatred, and envy defined the

family of Jacob. • Brothers hated Joseph wanting to kill him. • Instead they profited from their hatred. • Done with their brother, later, they found

themselves standing before him in Egypt.• He forgave them because he saw that God

was at work through all that transpired.

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The Bigger Picture• Israel’s role as the people of promise was

being jeopardized by their acceptance of the loose moral standards of the native Canaanites. – Incest, Reuben and his father’s wife– Judah’s marriage to a Canaanite, incest

• God moved them away to Egypt through Joseph’s story

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A Silver Lining• When have you seen the silver lining in a

difficult situation?• When did you figure out that it was, in

fact, a silver lining?• How did you react to the initial incident

and then to the Big Picture?

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Focus• We’re not going to focus on

anyone’s dysfunctional family.• We’re going to focus on the work of God

in the midst of whatever dysfunction or conflict we are facing.

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What Have We Learned?Four Sessions of resolving conflict• Conflicts can arise because of different

priorities• It’s Not about ME!• Sometimes you need to stand down• Never compromise on the Bible• Sometimes you have to “step in”

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I Have a DreamRead: Genesis 37:5-8• Joseph had a dream that all the sheaves

bowed down to him.• Perhaps he should have kept it to

himself• Page 151 Question # 2?

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Enough Blame to Go Around• What was Joseph’s heritage of

deception?• Who all was to blame?– Joseph–The Brothers– Jacob–Rachael

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Bad Blood, Maybe?• Read Genesis 37:26-28• What happened here? See page 152.• How did the brothers justify themselves?• How does that differ from the teachings

of Jesus?• How has a conflict shaped your life?• What does the quote on p. 156 mean?

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Then What HaPPened?• What has happened here? Joseph was:–Priced–Potiphar–Prison–Phantasies–Prime Minister

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Drama in Egypt

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Drama in Egypt• Read Genesis 50:15-21.• Q: Page 155 # 4?• Joseph saw the big picture.• How did God use event’s in Joseph’s life

to impact positively Joseph, his family, the people of Egypt, all of the region?

• How does it affect us today?

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Your “Big Picture”• Look at “The Big Picture” on page 148 of

the BOOK:• Someone who hurt you is now asking to

be a part of your life again, how might God be at work in this?

• How might God be at work in a current conflict in your life?

• How can we encourage each other?

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Live It Out• Conflict can be draining, God can use it.• Conflict can lead to resolution.• Resolution can enhance relationships.• God strengthens faith and endurance.• What are you going to do about it? –Trust God?– Forgive someone?–Call someone?

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I Wonder . . .• Could God be at work in your conflict,

preparing a better story for you? • That’s far better than any silver lining.”

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Let’s Pray About it!

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