Bible Study Lesson: Joseph - Overcoming Trauma and Exemplifying Forgiveness (Genesis 37-50)

Bible Study Lesson: Joseph - Overcoming Trauma and Exemplifying Forgiveness (Genesis 37-50)

Introduction:

Begin with an opening prayer asking for God’s guidance and wisdom.Introduce the theme of the lesson: Overcoming trauma and exemplifying forgiveness through the life of Joseph.

Lesson Objectives:

Understand the key events in Joseph's life and their significance.Reflect on how Joseph's faith and integrity helped him overcome his trauma.Discuss the importance of personal responsibility and forgiveness, without making excuses for bad behavior.Apply the principles of forgiveness and trust in God's sovereignty to current real-world situations.

1. Joseph's Early Life and Betrayal Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:3-4, 23-28

Genesis 37:3-4 - "Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."Genesis 37:23-28 - "So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it. As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, 'What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.' His brothers agreed. So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt."

Discussion Questions:

How did Joseph's favored status contribute to his brothers' jealousy and betrayal?What emotions and thoughts might Joseph have experienced when he was betrayed by his own brothers?

Real-World Example:

Example: A child whose parents divorced, leading to feelings of rejection and abandonment. Despite the trauma of divorce, the child grows up to lead a productive and empathetic life, choosing to break the cycle of bitterness and instead focus on building healthy relationships.

2. Joseph's Integrity in Adversity Scripture Reading: Genesis 39:2-3, 6-10, 20-21

Genesis 39:2-3 - "The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did..."Genesis 39:6-10 - "So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, 'Come to bed with me!' But he refused. 'With me in charge,' he told her, 'my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?' And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her."Genesis 39:20-21 - "Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden."

Discussion Questions:

How did Joseph maintain his integrity despite facing severe injustice?What can we learn from Joseph's example about handling false accusations or unfair treatment?

Real-World Example:

Example: Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years due to his fight against apartheid. Despite his unjust imprisonment, Mandela maintained his principles and integrity, ultimately emerging as a symbol of reconciliation and peace. His unwavering stance against racial injustice and his capacity to forgive his oppressors highlight the power of maintaining integrity in the face of adversity.

3. Joseph's Rise to Power and Reconciliation Scripture Reading: Genesis 41:39-41, 45:1-15

Genesis 41:39-41 - "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.' So Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.'"Genesis 45:1-15 - "Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, 'Have everyone leave my presence!' So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph! Is my father still living?' But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come close to me.' When they had done so, he said, 'I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise, you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.' Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him."

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think Joseph tested his brothers before revealing his identity?How did Joseph's position of power influence his response to his brothers?

Real-World Example:

Example: Immaculée Ilibagiza, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, forgave the people who killed her family. After hiding in a bathroom for 91 days to escape the massacre, she later faced the man who had been responsible for her family’s deaths. Immaculée chose to forgive him, demonstrating a powerful example of reconciliation and the ability to let go of hatred despite horrific circumstances.

4. Joseph’s Forgiveness and God’s Sovereignty Scripture Reading: Genesis 50:15-21

Genesis 50:15-21 - "When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 'What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?' So they sent word to Joseph, saying, 'Your father left these instructions before he died: "This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly." Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.' When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. 'We are your slaves,' they said. But Joseph said to them, 'Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.' And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them."

Discussion Questions:

How did Joseph’s understanding of God’s sovereignty help him forgive his brothers?What steps can we take to forgive those who have wronged us, trusting in God’s greater plan?

Real-World Example:

Example: Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, forgave a former camp guard who had inflicted great suffering on her and her family. After the war, she met this guard at a church service, and despite her initial struggle, she extended forgiveness to him, relying on God’s strength and sovereignty. This act of forgiveness not only freed her from bitterness but also became a powerful testimony of God’s grace and healing power.

Counter-Arguments and Different Perspectives:

Excusing Bad Behavior: Some might argue that traumatic experiences justify negative behaviors. However, while it is crucial to understand and empathize with those who have experienced trauma, it is equally important to hold individuals accountable for their actions. Forgiveness and understanding do not negate the need for personal responsibility.Healthy Boundaries: Emphasize the importance of setting healthy boundaries. Forgiveness does not mean allowing harmful behavior to continue. It involves recognizing the wrong, forgiving the person, and sometimes establishing boundaries to prevent future harm.

Conclusion:

Summarize the key lessons from Joseph’s life: maintaining integrity, the power of forgiveness, and trusting in God’s sovereignty.Encourage the participants to apply these principles in their own lives, acknowledging their traumas but not allowing them to excuse future bad behavior.

Application for Today's Believers: Personal Reflection:

Ask participants to identify areas of unresolved hurt or unforgiveness in their lives.Encourage them to pray for the strength to forgive and to seek God’s guidance in their healing process.

Community Support:

Promote a culture of support within the church, encouraging members to share their struggles and seek prayer and counsel.Suggest forming small support groups for those dealing with past trauma or seeking to forgive.

Active Steps:

Provide practical steps for forgiveness and healing, such as attending support groups, seeking professional counseling, and engaging in regular prayer and Bible study.Recommend resources such as books, counseling services, and online support networks to aid in the healing process.