Meant for Good, pt.6 - Genesis 42-45

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Derek Lam

Discussion Questions for City Groups

This week’s passage is a long one, but an emotionally poignant one. The main theme of this week’s sermon can be summed up as: “True Discipline—the showing of love ANDjustice toward a vision of maturity.”

As you are thinking through this week’s sermon, please read Genesis chapters 42 through 45 in preparation for this week’s City Group gathering. As you read, think about how this story affects you personally and be prepared to share with your group.

Love and Justice

In this week’s passages, Joseph is reunited with his brothers for the first time in 20+ years, but in an unexpected way. His course of action extends both love and justice to them. How does he show them justice? How does he show them love?
What would have been forfeited had he had a quick family reunion, or used his power to punish and detain his brothers? How was the reunion sweeter because of Joseph’s actions?
As we have seen, one of the main purposes in God’s shaping of Joseph is the preservation of his brother Judah. He now seems to be a different man. How has he changed—what have we seen Juday do up to this point? How does he show us hints and echos of the Lion of Judah, Jesus (in this week’s passage)?
Discipline is often seen as negative consequences or punishment. Biblically, discipline is not just a system of actions/consequences. Rather, it is a holistic paradign to see the upbringing of a child toward a vision of maturity. Think of it as aJesus-shaped mould. What are the difficult circumstances in your life right now that you are praying for relief from? How could they be God’s shaping and disciplining you toward maturity?
There are two opposite and unbiblical approaches to parenting: 1) Soft Parenting,which is flimsy love and grace that fails by not teaching justice. 2) Harsh parenting,which is cold and punitive and fails by not showing love. What was your experience as a child? If you are parent, which is your tendency toward your kids? Is your tendency and overreaction to your own upbringing?
How does reading through this passage change your thinking about God’s love for you and what he is up to in your life?