The document is a summary of a bible study on the story of Joseph from Genesis 37 and 50, focusing on how God can work through conflict. It discusses how Joseph's brothers were jealous and sold him into slavery, but that God later used these events to save many lives during a famine by elevating Joseph to a high position in Egypt. The study urges readers to trust that God can bring about good outcomes even from difficult situations and conflicts, and to consider forgiving others as Joseph did his brothers.

1. THE BIG PICTURE
Genesis 37:5-8,26-28; 50:15-21
By John R Wible
November 1, 2013
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2. The Big Picture
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3. The Big Picture (Literally)
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4. What’s the Point?
God is at work even in the midst of
conflict.
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5. 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.
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6. The Bible Passage
• Genesis 37:5-8,26-28; 50:15-21
• Joseph’s life from teenage to VicePharoah
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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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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11. 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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12. I Have a Dream
Read: 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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13. 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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14. 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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15. Then What HaPPened?
• What has happened here? Joseph was:
– Priced
– Potiphar
– Prison
– Phantasies
– Prime Minister
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16. Drama in Egypt
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17. 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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18. 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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19. 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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20. 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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21. Let’s Pray About it!
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