Week 4 Reading Guide
Joseph and God's Sovereign Plan
Genesis 37-50
Big Idea: Joseph was a man betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery yet used by God to save many lives. Through Joseph’s suffering and exaltation, we see a reflection of Jesus, who endured the ultimate betrayal and suffering to bring salvation to the world. Joseph’s words, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good,” point us to the heart of the Gospel: God’s power to bring redemption and hope out of sin and brokenness.
Reading Plan
Monday: Genesis 37-38 (Joseph’s Dreams and Betrayal; Judah and Tamar)
Tuesday: Genesis 39-40 (Joseph in Potiphar’s House and Prison)
Wednesday: Genesis 41 (Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams)
Thursday: Genesis 42-43 (Joseph’s Brothers in Egypt)
Friday: Genesis 44-45 (Joseph Tests His Brothers and Reveals Himself)
Saturday: Genesis 46-50 (Jacob’s Family Moves to Egypt; Joseph’s Faithful End)
Weekly DNA Questions
Discover
What stands out about Joseph’s trust in God, even faced with betrayal and suffering?
How does Joseph’s response to his brothers in Gen. 45 reveal his understanding of God’s sovereignty?
How does the story of Joseph connect to God’s bigger plan of redemption?
Nurture
When have you faced situations where it was hard to see how God was at work? How does Joseph’s story encourage you?
What challenges do you face in extending forgiveness and grace to those who have wronged you?
How can you grow in trusting that God’s plans are good, even when your circumstances seem difficult or unfair?
Act
Think of someone who has hurt you, and take a step toward forgiveness this week, following Joseph’s example.
Identify one challenging situation in your life where you can consciously trust God’s sovereignty. Pray and journal about it daily.
Share Joseph’s story with someone who needs encouragement, emphasizing how God’s faithfulness shines through.
Key Verse: Genesis 50:20
You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.
Reflection for the Week
How does Joseph’s story reveal God’s sovereign plan to redeem what is broken? In what ways does Joseph’s life foreshadow Jesus and His work of salvation? Reflect on areas in your life where God has brought or is bringing redemption out of hardship. How can you trust Him to work for good, even during pain or difficulty?
Bible Project Videos
Genesis 12-50 Overview: a thematic breakdown of Genesis’ focus on Abraham’s family.
Character: See how biblical authors use character to make key points in the biblical story.
The Test: See how God determines the loyalty and trust of his covenant partners.
