BIG IDEA
We all want to have peace in our lives. In this series, Peace, we have talked about having peace with God and ourselves. However, another area that greatly affects our peace is our relationship with others. When we have conflict and misunderstandings with the people we interact with; we cannot truly have peace. This means living humbly and offering forgiveness even when it is hard. Today in our Bible study together, we will look at the life of a man who understood this first-hand: Joseph.
BREAK THE ICE
What is the silliest argument you had with a sibling or a friend that you got in as a kid?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. In what ways does conflict destroy our peace?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Genesis 37:18-28. Describe the wrongdoing and hurt that Joseph experienced. How would you expect this hurt to affect Joseph?
Genesis 37:18-28
18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”
21 But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. 22 “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.
23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt.
26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. 27 Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. 28 So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.
3. Read Genesis 50:14-21. How would you have expected Joseph to respond to his brothers? How does his response compare to your expectation?
Genesis 50:14-21
14 After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. 15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
4. Why, based on these verses in Genesis 50, was Joseph able to forgive?
Application
1. What stands out to you the most about Joseph’s forgiveness? Why?
2. In what ways does forgiveness restore peace? How have you seen this to be true in your own life?
3. When is a time someone showed forgiveness towards you when you did not deserve it? How does that forgiveness affect how you forgive the people who have hurt you?
4. After considering the peace that God offers over the last few weeks, who is one person you can invite to Sagebrush?
MOVING FORWARD
Take some time to evaluate your relationships. Is there any conflict that has been disrupting your peace? If so, how have you seen it negatively impacting you? What step can you take right now to begin restoring that relationship? Please share it with your group. Then, pray together for broken relationships, and ask God to help you to be peace-makers in these relationships.
Going Deeper
We all want to receive forgiveness from others when we hurt them, but many of us are not as eager to offer forgiveness to others who have hurt us. As much as forgiveness affects the people we forgive, offering forgiveness changes us and leads us to have peace. One of the ways we can have peace is by praying when we are hurt. Let’s look at what Scripture teaches about prayer and how it is essential for peace with others.
Read Psalm 31:9-15.
1. What stands out to you about David’s prayer in these verses?
2. What are the benefits of praying as honestly as David prayed in these verses?
3. What change of heart and attitude do you notice in David as he prayed in these verses? What caused this change?
Read Matthew 5:43-46.
1. What is so surprising about Jesus’ teachings in these verses?
2. What do you think happens when we pray for our enemies?
3. How does praying for our enemies bring peace?
Read Acts 12:5-17.
1. What did the church do while Peter was in prison? What was the result of what they did?
2. How do you think the church’s actions while Peter was in prison brought peace?
3. How does praying for those who are persecuted bring peace, even when the outcome is not the same as Peter’s outcome was?
It is clear after looking at Scripture that when we pray honestly about our struggles, when we pray for our enemies, and when we pray for those in the church who are persecuted, we can have peace with others. Take some time to do those three things.
1. Have each group member pray individually to God. Pray about what you are facing, especially the conflict you are feeling and facing with others. Be honest with Him. He can handle it, and He already knows!
2. Have each group member pray individually for the specific people they are having conflict with. Pray for any needs they may be facing and that God would make Himself known to them.
3. Finally, come together as a group to pray for the persecuted church. Before you pray, take a look at the Voice of the Martyrs website, which is dedicated to serving the persecuted church. Read their prayer request page and pick one prayer request as a group to pray for. Pray for the needs listed in this prayer request and for God to bring each person involved peace.
Don’t let this be the last time you pray this way. Instead, let’s commit to praying this way often. We will find peace as a result.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
