We now reach a part of the Joseph story that takes a very odd turn. In fact, the next chapter in the story doesn’t even mention Joseph. Instead, we read about his brother, Judah - the one who proposed selling Joseph into slavery. And it gets really messy - one of those chapters in the Bible that would be Rated R if portrayed on the big screen.Judah’s family life takes a very dark and destructive t...  Read More

Have you ever told a “little white lie”? Well, actually there is no such thing as a “little white lie” because all lying is sin and all sin is a big deal to the heart of God because of its destructive nature toward mankind. Lying to each other disrupts unity by creating conflict and destroying trust, which ultimately tears down relationships. So, it is easy for us to see why the Lord says in Prove...  Read More

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?... You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7: 3,5)How many times have we fallen into this trap? In Genesis 38, we have an inside look at Judah as he struggles with the same issue. How...  Read More

Have you ever found yourself staring at a multi-colored, messy picture, trying to find that kid wearing the red hat and striped shirt? Before you realize it, you have spent countless minutes searching through all the distractions that look like Waldo, only to find, there he is! He was right in front of your face, smiling, just waiting to be found. Eureka!Oftentimes I found myself searching through...  Read More

Joseph was known in the Bible as a man who was steadfast and faithful under trials. His older brothers were another story! One brother, Judah, refused to follow a law of God in regard to his son’s wife, Tamar. What happened as a result of his disobedience made quite an illicit tale. Twin sons were born to Judah and Tamar. You can read about it in Genesis 38.Certainly the Bible teaches us that ever...  Read More

Compassion and generosity breaks down walls. Is there a way you could bless your group members this week to show them they matter to you? It could be as simple as a phone call, text, or note to let them know you are thinking of them and praying for them. • Is there anything (habit, relationship, mindset) God is currently leading you to move away from? Is there anything He is leading you to move to...  Read More

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...”  (Jeremiah 1:5)The older I get, the more at peace I am with things that are beyond my control. In fact, I almost prefer it that way. Those are the situations that, for me, are easier to completely trust God with the outcome. If it’s out of my control, I can’t mess it up!So much of our childhood falls into that category. We didn’t choose our parents, ...  Read More

Childhood dreams....we all have them. Ask a child about their dreams and you will get a myriad of answers. Some dream they are pop stars, and some dream they are in a land filled with toys. Some dream of candy or unicorns or Barbie. There is no limit to what children dream. I love how they view the world through an unblemished filter. However, some childhood dreams can be prophetically sent by God...  Read More

We’ve all experienced relationship conflicts at some point in our lives. Many times, that conflict comes from within our family. In our childhood, conflict presents itself in various forms - with our parents, siblings, or other relatives. In Genesis 37, Joseph experiences conflicts with his brothers. Because their father seemingly loved Joseph more than his brothers, they hated him [37:3-4]. Scrip...  Read More

Our eight year old son so badly wants to skip ahead in life and be a man. He stands in front of the mirror holding his chin, slowly turning his head from side to side, in search of stubble. He gallantly enters the room, parading about, when he’s found peach fuzz growing on his arms or legs. Some days, he’ll nonchalantly walk by holding a suitcase while donning a mustache that he scribbled on using...  Read More

Joseph’s plight at the hands of his jealous brothers was ugly. From being the carefree, younger, favored child of Jacob to becoming a slave...no matter the ebbs and flows of his positions in Egypt, he was still a slave. Comparatively, Joseph’s new life was heart wrenching - a fate he in no way deserved. In his mind, his family was lost forever. He was not torn to pieces by a ferocious animal as hi...  Read More

If possible, share a meal together as a group at least once during this study. Fellowship over a good meal has a way of bonding us together in a very special way, especially if we are intentional to really listen to one another. • How did God use the things that were out of your control in your childhood to mold and shape you?• What did God deposit in and through your early years that is now beari...  Read More