Jacob
Deceived by His own Lack of Curiosity
Pray
Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.
Review
Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?
Watch
Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.
Read: Genesis 37:29-36
- One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.
- Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.
Retell
- One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
- As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.
Discuss
Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?
📚Knowledge, 💡Understanding and ⚡️Wisdom
The Brothers Trick their Father
- 📚How did the oldest son Reuben react when he realized Joseph was missing?
- 📚Was his reaction out of concern for Joseph, or himself? What was he afraid of?
- 📚What did the brothers do with Joseph’s coat, and what was their reason?
- 💡Were the brother actions demonstrating godly wisdom, or earthly wisdom? Explain.
- 📚In what ways did their knowledge and understanding of their father allow them to speak wisely to him?
- 💡Did they speak truth to Jacob, or lies? Explain whether this was done for Jacob’s edification, or for another reason.
- 💡Describe an experience where you were misled by truthful, yet incomplete information. How did you feel?
- 💡How well did Joseph’s brothers have to know their father in order to fool him without telling a lie?
- ⚡️Is allowing someone to deceive themselves for personal gain exercising ‘Godly wisdom’ or ‘earthly/devilish wisdom’? Explain.
- ⚡️How well do you need to know someone to exercise Godly wisdom with them?
- ⚡️What might have been the outcome if Jacob’s sons were truthful with him about what happened?
Jacob Examines the Evidence
- 📚What did Jacob believe happened to Joseph based on his view of the evidence?
- 📚What effect did Jacob’s false conclusion have on his own emotions and actions?
- 📚What other conclusions could Jacob have considered while examining the coat?
- 📚What effect did Jacob’s reaction have on those around him?
- 💡Have you ever assumed the worst possible outcome and been wrong? Share an example.
- 💡How often is the worst possible outcome the one that actually happens?
- 💡What would have happened if Jacob had replaced his fear and doubt with curiosity and wonder?
- 💡Can faith exist in hearts that are filled with fear and doubt? Describe a time when fear stole your faith.
- ⚡️How does having curiosity and wonder about God’s ability lead to faith? How does this relate to exercising wisdom?
- ⚡️How can using wisdom in examining evidence help our circumstances?
- ⚡️James 3:14-18 describes “earthly, unspiritual, demonic wisdom”, and also “wisdom that comes from heaven”. Describe what characteristics each of these types of wisdom might have.
- ⚡️Describe what role “motive” has in determining whether wisdom is earthly or godly.
This next week take a few minutes each day to consider what conclusions you have jumped to: Have you assumed the worst? What does the same situation look like if you daydream and wonder what God could do?
Next Week…
Moses – Wisdom in Curiosity- Exodus 3:1-3,11-13 and Exodus 4:1-9