The Focused Christian Life and Family

• Pursue Your Dreams: A focused Christian should be excited about their dreams, even in the face of hatred or envy from others. Joseph held on to his dreams, and his father, while initially rebuking him, kept them in mind.
• Trust in God: Even when faced with adversity such as being sold into slavery or imprisoned, a focused Christian must trust that the Lord is with them. This trust allows for success and favor in difficult situations.
• Do Your Best No Matter What: A Christian life focused on God means consistently doing your best in all circumstances, whether in a father’s house, a master’s house, in prison, or in a position of power. This dedication can lead to being recognized as a person “in whom is the Spirit of God”.
• Live a Pure Life: Purity is essential for a focused Christian life and family. Joseph’s example of fleeing from temptation demonstrates the importance of running from sin.
• Forgive People: Joseph’s life shows the importance of forgiving those who have wronged you, even after being hated, betrayed, and falsely accused. He understood that what others “meant for evil,” God “meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive”.
• Focus on Your Life in God’s Story: A focused Christian understands that their life and family are part of God’s larger story. Joseph recognized that it was not his brothers who sent him to Egypt, but God, to preserve life.

Icebreaker:

What is a dream or goal you are currently excited about, and how does your faith play a role in pursuing it?

Keep Excited About Your Dreams

• Scripture References: Genesis 37:2-10
• Summary: Joseph, at seventeen years old, had dreams that indicated his family would one day bow down to him. He was the son of Jacob’s old age and was loved more than his brothers, who came to hate him because of his dreams and their father’s favoritism. Joseph’s father, Israel, rebuked him for the dreams, but he kept them in mind, while his brothers envied him.
• Discussion Questions:
  • Why do you think Joseph was so open about sharing his dreams, even though his family’s reaction was negative?
  • How can having a dream or a vision for your life, as Joseph did, help you stay focused?
  • In what ways can a dream be a source of conflict with others, and how can we navigate that?
• Application Questions:
  • What are some of your personal or family dreams?
  • What steps can you take to “keep excited about your dreams” even when facing opposition?
  • How can you support and encourage the dreams of those in your family or friend group?

Keep Your Trust in God

• Scripture References: Genesis 39:1-4; Genesis 39:21
• Summary: Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt, where he was bought by Potiphar. The Lord was with Joseph, and everything he did prospered, leading Potiphar to make him an overseer of his house. Even when he was later put in prison, the Lord remained with Joseph, showing him mercy and giving him favor with the prison keeper.
• Discussion Questions:
  • What does it mean for “The Lord [to be] with Joseph” in both Potiphar’s house and in prison?
  • How did God’s presence affect Joseph’s circumstances?
  • Can you recall a time in your life when you felt God was with you despite difficult circumstances?
• Application Questions:
  • What are some practical ways to “keep your trust in God” when facing difficult or unjust situations?
  • How does trusting God impact your work or daily tasks?
  • How can you demonstrate your trust in God to your family?

Keep Doing Your Best No Matter What

• Scripture References: Genesis 37; Genesis 39; Genesis 41
• Summary: Joseph consistently did his best in every situation. He served as a shepherd for his father , served in Potiphar’s house , and served in prison. His commitment to doing his best eventually led to him being put in charge of all of Pharaoh’s house and people. Pharaoh recognized that the Spirit of God was in him and that there was no one as discerning or wise as he was.
• Discussion Questions:
  • What does Joseph’s life teach us about the importance of integrity and diligence in our work?
  • How did Joseph’s attitude of doing his best affect his relationships and his position in Pharaoh’s kingdom?
  • In which area of your life is it most challenging to “keep doing your best no matter what”?
• Application Questions:
  • How can you apply the principle of “doing your best” in your current role at work, school, or home?
  • What steps can you take to serve God in all circumstances, even when no one is watching?
  • How can you teach and model this principle to your family?

Keep Your Life and Home Pure

• Scripture References: Genesis 39:12
• Summary: When Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph, he fled, leaving his garment behind. This demonstrates his commitment to keeping his life pure.
• Discussion Questions:
  • Why was Joseph’s immediate reaction to flee from Potiphar’s wife so important?
  • What does this story teach us about purity and resisting temptation?
• Application Questions:
  • What are some modern-day temptations that require a similar response to Joseph’s?
  • How can you “keep your life and home pure” in today’s world?
  • How can you encourage and support family members in making pure choices?

Keep Forgiving People

• Scripture References: Genesis 37:4-5, 8; Genesis 37:18; Genesis 37:24; Genesis 37:28 & 36; Genesis 39:20; Genesis 40:23; Genesis 50:19-20
• Summary: Joseph experienced great betrayal and injustice: his brothers hated him, plotted to kill him, threw him in a pit, and sold him into slavery. He was also falsely accused and imprisoned , and then forgotten by someone he had helped. Despite this, he forgave his brothers, telling them not to be afraid because he was not in the place of God. He explained that while they meant to harm him, God intended it for good to save many people.
• Discussion Questions:
  • What was the key to Joseph’s ability to forgive those who had wronged him?
  • Why is forgiveness a crucial habit for a focused Christian life?
  • How does the statement, “God meant it for good,” change our perspective on hurt and betrayal?
• Application Questions:
  • Is there anyone in your life you need to forgive?
  • How can you begin the process of forgiving them?
  • How can you foster a spirit of forgiveness in your family and home?

Keep Focused on How Your Life and Family Fit into God’s Story

• Scripture References: Genesis 45:4-8
• Summary: When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he told them not to be angry with themselves for selling him into slavery. He explained that God had sent him ahead of them to preserve life and save their posterity. He emphasized that it was God, not them, who sent him to Egypt to become a ruler.
• Discussion Questions:
  • How did Joseph’s understanding of God’s plan help him make sense of his past?
  • What does it mean to view your life and family as part of “God’s Story”?
  • How does this perspective change how we view our struggles and successes?
• Application Questions:
  • How can you more intentionally look for God’s hand in your daily life?
  • What is one way you can help your family see how their lives are part of God’s larger plan?
  • How can keeping a focus on God’s story help you stay focused on what truly matters?

Day 1: Keeping Excited About Your Dreams

• Scripture Reference: Genesis 37:2-10
• Key Focus: Joseph had a dream from God, and he was excited about it. Even when his family reacted negatively, he held on to the dream. This reminds us that a focused life begins with an inner vision and excitement about what God wants to do
• Reflection: Think about a dream or goal you feel God has placed on your heart. Are you excited about it, even when facing opposition? Like Joseph’s father, God keeps our dreams in mind, even when others don’t understand.
• Application Question: What is one practical step you can take today to pursue a dream that God has given you?
• Prayer Prompt: Pray for a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the dreams God has placed in your heart, asking for courage to share them and wisdom to know when to keep them to yourself.

Day 2: Keeping Your Trust in God

• Scripture Reference: Genesis 39:1-4, 21
• Key Focus: Joseph’s story is a testament to God’s presence. Even after being sold into slavery, “the Lord was with Joseph”. His trust in God was not dependent on his circumstances; it was the reason he was a successful man, and God made all he did to prosper. This focus on trusting God led to Joseph finding favor with his masters, whether in Potiphar’s house or in prison
• Reflection: Trusting God can be challenging, especially when things go wrong. Joseph’s life shows us that God’s presence is our greatest asset, regardless of our surroundings.
• Application Question: In what area of your life is it most difficult to trust God right now?
• Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you place your trust in Him completely, even when your circumstances are difficult. Pray for the faith to see His hand at work in every situation.

Day 3: Keeping Focused on Doing Your Best

• Scripture Reference: Genesis 41:37-40
• Key Focus: Joseph consistently did his best, regardless of his role. He was a diligent shepherd for his father, a successful servant in Potiphar’s house, and a trusted prisoner. This habit of excellence ultimately led Pharaoh to recognize that Joseph was a man “in whom is the Spirit of God”. Because of his wisdom and discernment, Pharaoh put him over all of his kingdom.
• Reflection: Our attitude toward our work, school, and daily tasks reflects our relationship with God. When we do our best, we honor Him and allow His character to be seen in our lives
• Application Question: What is one area where you could improve your effort to honor God by doing your best?
• Prayer Prompt: Pray for a spirit of excellence in all you do. Ask God to help you find joy and purpose in your daily tasks, knowing that you are ultimately serving Him.

Day 4: Keeping Your Life and Home Pure

• Scripture Reference: Genesis 39:12
• Key Focus: Joseph’s refusal to give in to temptation, even at great personal cost, is a powerful example of living a pure life. He chose to flee sin, rather than negotiate with it. This choice protected his integrity and honored God.
• Reflection: Purity is not just about avoiding sexual sin; it’s about keeping our hearts and minds focused on God. Joseph’s action of fleeing shows us that sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is physically remove ourselves from temptation.
• Application Question: What is a practical way you can “flee” a temptation you are facing?
• Prayer Prompt: Pray for strength and self-control to live a pure life. Ask God to help you recognize and flee from temptation, protecting your heart and mind.

Day 5: Keeping Focused on How Your Life and Family Fit into God’s Story

• Scripture Reference: Genesis 50:19-20; Genesis 45:4-8
• Key Focus: Despite all the evil done against him, Joseph understood that God was working through his circumstances for a greater purpose. He told his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good”. He saw his life, not as a series of unfortunate events, but as a part of God’s plan “to save many people alive”.
• Reflection: When we focus on how our lives fit into God’s story, it changes our perspective on our struggles and triumphs. It frees us from bitterness and helps us forgive, just as Joseph forgave his brothers.
• Application Question: How can you reframe a difficult situation you are facing by viewing it through the lens of “God’s Story”?
• Prayer Prompt: Thank God for His sovereign plan for your life and your family. Ask Him to give you the wisdom to see His purpose in your challenges and the grace to forgive those who have wronged you.