In the Pits

Table purpose statement (Can be shared at the start or before the Discovery section):

This group exists for the purpose of discipleship. A disciple is someone who loves and obeys Jesus. (John 14:15) That means our focus is on hearing from God and taking steps of faith. Our goal is to multiply another healthy Table. That means one day, some of you will lead a group like this! 

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Table Talk (⅓ of meeting)   

• If you could invent something to help with a daily/weekly task, what would it be? 
• High, Low, Buffalo. Briefly share something from your week that was good, bad, and/or weird! 
• How do you hope to grow over this series? 
• Prayer can feel intimidating, but we can take the pressure off by keeping it simple and honest. Open with a time of prayer, taking turns as you are led completing the sentence “Thank You, God, for ____.”  Then have someone closeby ask God to open our hearts as we read the Bible. 

Review the Discussion Guidelines (pg. 7 in the In the Pits journal)

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Scripture Context: The opening portion of Genesis 37 shows how Joseph’s father plays favorites with Joseph, creating a dysfunctional dynamic. When Joseph shares about a dream he has where the family is all bowing down to him, his brothers don’t just get competitive, they get vindictive. 

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Discover what God is saying to you. (⅓ of meeting) 

Big idea: The dreams God plants in us will last longer than our struggles. 

Read Genesis 37:12-36

• What is the Holy Spirit highlighting to you in this story? 
• With all the brokenness in this story, how do you see God at work in surprising ways? 
• Share a time when God fulfilled a dream of yours, but not in the way you expected. 
• What are some ways we can discern between God’s dream and ours? 
• Share a dream (literal or figurative) that God has planted in your heart. 
  
  • How does this reflect God’s good will for you? 
  • What barriers have prevented this dream from becoming reality?

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Go do it. (⅓ of meeting) 

• What step can you take this week to trust God with the dreams, plans, and purposes of your life? (Ex: Turning back to a dream that you have put off. Talking to a trusted, faithful friend to discern God’s will. Forgiving someone in our past who discouraged us from this dream.) 
• Break into twos or threes and pray for each other:
  
  • Thank God for His plan and purpose for your life.
  • Ask God to empower you to fully accept and embrace His plan for you.

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