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To all who are spiritually weary and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to all who will come, this church opens wide her doors and offers welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Discussion QuestionS
End of BEGINNING: Genesis 50
February 22nd

Ice Breakers: Are you more likely to confront conflict immediately, avoid it completely, or pretend it never happened?

1. A Time for Grief

Joseph openly wept and took extended time to mourn (Gen. 50:1–14).
• Where in your life have you rushed past grief or expected yourself (or others) to “be fine” too quickly?
• What would it look like to grieve in a healthy, God-honoring way right now?
• Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and Psalm 34:18. How can we “grieve with hope” rather than suppress grief or drown in it?

Practical angle: In your family or friend group, how can you create space for someone who is grieving?

2. The Conversation You’re Avoiding

Joseph’s brothers carried guilt for years without addressing it (Gen. 50:15–18).
• Is there a relationship in your life where something unresolved has been left unspoken?
• What keeps you from having that conversation — fear, pride, embarrassment, anger?
• Read Matthew 5:23–24 and James 5:16. What would obedience look like this week?

Practical angle: What is one concrete step you could take in the next 7 days toward reconciliation?

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3. “Am I in the Place of God?”

Joseph refuses to take vengeance (Gen. 50:19; cf. Rom. 12:19).
• In what situations are you tempted to play judge, jury, or Holy Spirit — at home, at work, online, or in church?
• How do you tend to “punish” people — coldness, sarcasm, withdrawal, gossip?
• What would it look like to release that person to God’s justice instead?

Practical angle: Where do you need to stop trying to control someone’s conviction or consequences?

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4. Forgiveness and the Gospel

Joseph forgives because he trusts God’s sovereignty (Gen. 50:20).
• Is there someone you have not forgiven? What makes it difficult?
• Read Colossians 3:13 and Ephesians 4:31–32. How does remembering your own forgiveness reshape how you treat others?
• How is forgiveness different from pretending something didn’t hurt?

Practical angle: What would forgiving that person actually change in your heart this week?

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5. God’s Sovereignty in Suffering

“You meant evil… but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20; cf. Rom. 8:28).
• Where have you seen a “but God” moment in your life — something painful that God later used?
• Where are you currently struggling to trust that God is good and sovereign?
• How does the cross (Acts 2:23) strengthen your confidence that God can bring good from evil?

Practical angle: How might trusting God’s sovereignty change the way you pray about your current hardship?

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6. Living and Dying with Hope

Joseph’s final words focused on God’s promise, not his achievements (Gen. 50:24–25; Heb. 11:22).
• If your last words reflected what you treasure most, what would they reveal?
• What are you currently investing in that will not matter in eternity?
• What would it look like to “invest in souls” this semester, this season, or this stage of life?

Practical angle: Name one specific person you could intentionally disciple, encourage, or pray for.

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7. Freedom Through Forgiveness

You said in the sermon: holding a grudge makes you bitter; forgiving sets you free.
• Have you experienced that personally?
• What emotional or spiritual weight might you be carrying right now?
• Read Psalm 32:3–5. What happens when sin or pain is brought into the light?

Practical angle: What would freedom look like for you?

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