Christian Family Fellowship PDO, Muscat.
Character Study Of Joseph
JOSEPH - MORE THAN A DREAMER
PART 2: ON THE WAY TO LEADERSHIP. Text Gen 39-41
Introduction:
The ways God takes us through would always not be the smoothest. They sometimes are, the most difficult. The children of Israel had to pass through a longer route to reach the promised land. In study 1 we saw the "transformation" of Joseph from being a favourite child to a slave in a strange land. As we continue the study of Joseph let us sift all that made Joseph such a special person in the history of God’s people.
Discussion questions:
1. Gen 39: 4-20. Comment on the attitude of Potiphar’s wife, the reaction of Joseph and decision of Potiphar. If you cannot fight like David, flee like Joseph. Joseph recognised that which did not belong to him.
2. What was the source of Joseph’s victory? Gen 39:9, I Sam 17:45-46, Dan 1:8, II Tim 2:22. Heb 12:1-2.
3. Gen 40:1-3. Why were the king’s offenders sent to the same cell as Joseph? Ro 8:28.
4. Joseph was in prison. Was it God’s will for him? Is 55~8.
5. What can we learn from Joseph’s attitude/character in Gen 40:6-8? Ro 12:10, Notice that he did not arrogate to himself the ability to interpret dreams. Compare and contrast his attitude above with his frame of mind in Gen 40:14-15? What may constitute hinderances in sharing our burdens with others?
6. What lesson can we learn from Gen 40:23? If we put our trust in man it is hut building on sand. All things indeed work together for the good of God’s people.
7. How often do we forget our promise to pray for others?
8. Gen 40:23; 41:1-9; Esther 6:1; Is 46:11. What do the verses teach us about God?
9. Gen 37:5-10, 41:40-46, 42:6-9, 43:26, Hab 2:1-3. Comment on the timing of God on the elevation of Joseph in relation to his dreams. What does it mean practically to wait for God’s timing?
10. Gen 41:14, 16, 28, 33. What character/state of preparedness of Joseph is revealed here? Compare and contrast Esther 6:4-11 with Gen 41:8, 33-45.
11. Gen 30: 1,6522-24, 41:50-52. How did the perception of the events in the lives of Rachel and Joseph reflect in the naming their children?
12. Gen 4 1:37-45, Comment on the attitude and actions of Pharaoh in the passage and draw useful lessons from them.
Joseph was forgotten by the chief Butler because God’s time for the fulfillment of the dreams was not yet. When the time came, God provided the avenue for Joseph to be brought before Pharaoh. Pharaoh dreamt and the chief Butler remembered the "interpreter of dreams". God charted Joseph’s course throughout irrespective of the "setbacks" he had on the way.