TEXT: Genesis 42 & 43

1. SEARCHING OUR MEMORIES
   1. Discuss what you chose to do from last week's "Searching Our Lives" suggestions.

   2. Recall the lives of Jacob's offspring.

2. SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
   3. When the famine struck in Canaan, what did Jacob propose regarding food for his family?

   4. 1. How was Genesis 37:7 fulfilled in this chapter?

      2. From Genesis 37:2; 41:46 and 41:53, how long did Joseph wait for this fulfillment?

   5. Why were the brothers unable to recognize Joseph?

   6. 1. What accusation did Joseph make against his brothers?

      2. What was their reply?

   7. How did Joseph test his brothers' story?

   8. What remorse did the brothers show concerning their treatment of Joseph?

   9. 1. Who overheard and understood the brothers' conversation?

      2. What was his reaction?

   10. Which brother was chosen as hostage by Joseph, and how was he treated?

   11. As the brothers prepared to return to Canaan, how were they treated?

   12. 1. What did the brothers find in their grain sacks?

       2. How did the brothers explain this to themselves?

   13. How did their father Jacob react when he was told all that had happened in Egypt?

   14. Jacob refused to comply with the ruler of Egypt's request to send his youngest son back to redeem Simeon. What two things at the beginning of chapter 43 changed his mind?

   15. What gifts did Jacob tell his sons to take to Egypt for the "Egyptian in charge"?

   16. What did Jacob ask God to do?

   17. 1. Upon their arrival in Egypt, where were the brothers taken and for what purpose?

       2. Why was this unusual? (See verse 32.)

   18. What did this fearful treatment cause the brothers to confess?

   19. What reassurance did the steward give the brothers?

   20. Discuss the family dynamics from the encounter described in verses 26-34:
       In verse 26, when Joseph entered where the brothers were –

       In verse 27, regarding Joseph's inquiry –

       In verse 28, from the way the brothers answered –

       In verses 29-31, when Joseph was introduced to Benjamin –

       From verses 32 and 33, concerning the seating arrangement –

       From verse 34, about the youngest brother's treatment –

3. MAKING THE CONNECTION
   21. When we are mistreated by others, what scriptural examples can encourage us to have the right attitude toward them?

   22. Read Matthew 5:23-26. What guidelines did Jesus give here for resolution of grievances/differences?

4. SEARCHING THE HEART
   23. 1. Discuss Joseph's trickery of hiding the silver and reasons he may have had for doing this.

       2. What is your own inclination when you have been wronged by others?

       3. How can you guard against taking revenge in these kinds of circumstances?

   24. Joseph's brothers' true guilt made them deserving of this latest crisis of being accused of foreign espionage. For the Christian, what purpose does guilt serve? How can guilt burden the Christian today? What can be done to free us from past guilt?

   25. Jacob thought it wise to send his sons to Egypt laden with gifts. He did not know that the ruler was only truly interested in the individuals and the condition of their hearts. Compare this with what we bring our Ruler.

5. SEARCHING OUR LIVES (Choose one of the following to complete and discuss for next week.)
   26. When Jacob resigns himself to sending his sons back to Egypt, along with provisions and gifts, he also requests a blessing from God for them. Ask God to bless your child(ren) with a blessing as you send them off to school or their events this week.

   27. Joseph was torn from his native country of Canaan. Although he had to learn a new language and new customs in Egypt, he eventually thrived in the new culture. Take time to help someone from another country to feel more comfortable here this week.

   28. Consider a role in which you are the leader, and use Joseph's example to focus on your God-given exercise of this role. Discuss how this perspective makes your interaction different from that of most leadership roles in the worldly sense.