Before We Get Started

For our discussion today, we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.

Prayer

Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?

This Week’s Topic

Time Lapse

Today’s Topic

Genesis 50:15-26

Your Personal 2024 Time Lapse

What circumstances were you facing at the beginning of 2024?

Were the events of 2024 similar to or different from what you expected?

What is one of your favorite memories from 2024?

Joseph’s Time Lapse

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.

 

How does Joseph’s response to his brothers demonstrate his trust in God’s sovereignty?

How can Joseph’s story and words, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” encourage us when we face personal injustices or conflicts?

Can you share about a time when you had to trust that God was in control of a difficult situation?

Our Collective Time Lapse

Genesis 50:22-26

 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also, the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.” So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt. 

Exodus 1:6-7

Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.

 

How do we see the sermon’s theme of “God moves from creation to coffin to new creation” play out in the book of Genesis?

How has this group grown and changed as you witnessed God’s sovereignty this year?

What challenges are you facing as we begin 2025? How can the people in this group support and encourage you as you trust God in faith?

Closing Thought

Spend the final moments of your time together praying God to bring new life to watch one of you in 2025. Spend time focusing on the challenges shared in the last question.