Still Jesus: Joseph/Jesus

Based on a sermon preached by Mike Johnson 5/17/26

Small Group Discussion Guide

Session Goal
To help the group see how the redemptive arc of Love, Rejection, Forgiveness, Salvation, and Abundant Life appears in Joseph’s story, is fulfilled in Jesus’ story, and changes our story.

1. Opening: The Arc of the Story
5 minutes
Read Romans 5:8–10.
Leader says:
The Bible is filled with stories, but they are not disconnected events. Again and again, we see the same redemptive arc appear:
Love
Rejection
Forgiveness
Salvation
Abundant Life
We see it in Joseph. He is loved by his father, rejected by his brothers, chooses forgiveness, saves his family from famine, and provides them life in the best of the land.
We see it in Jesus. He is the beloved Son of the Father, rejected by His own people, offers forgiveness from the cross, provides salvation through His death and resurrection, and gives abundant life to all who believe.
And we see it in us. We are loved by God, yet we have rejected Him through sin. Still, Jesus offers forgiveness, saves us from the judgment we deserve, and brings us into restored fellowship with God now and forever.
Ask:
Which part of the redemptive arc stands out to you most right now: love, rejection, forgiveness, salvation, or abundant life? Why?

2. Love
5 minutes
Read Genesis 37:3.
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a multicolored tunic.”
Leader says:
Joseph’s story begins with love. He is the beloved son of his father.
Jesus’ story also begins with love. At His baptism, the Father declares, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Jesus did not live trying to earn the Father’s love. He lived from the Father’s love.
Our story begins with love too. Before we ever turned to God, before we ever obeyed, before we ever understood grace, God loved us. Romans 5:8 says God demonstrated His love while we were still sinners.
Joseph was loved by his father.
Jesus is loved by the Father.
We are loved by God.
Ask:
How does it change the way we view ourselves to know that our story begins with God’s love, not our failure?
Follow-up:
Why is it important to begin the Gospel with God’s love before talking about our sin?

3. Rejection
5 minutes
Read John 1:11.
“He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him.”
Leader says:
Joseph was loved, but he was also rejected. His brothers hated him, betrayed him, and sold him into slavery. The rejection came from his own family.
Jesus also knew rejection. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. Judas betrayed Him. Peter denied Him. His disciples scattered. The religious leaders plotted against Him. The crowds cried out for His crucifixion.
Our story also includes rejection, but in a different way. We are not only people who have experienced rejection. We are people who have rejected God. Through sin, we have turned from His holiness, resisted His authority, and chosen our way over His.
Joseph was rejected by his brothers.
Jesus was rejected by His own people.
We rejected God through sin.
But rejection is not the end of the story.
Ask:
Why is it important to honestly admit both the rejection we have experienced and the ways we have rejected God?
Follow-up:
How does knowing Jesus was rejected help us trust Him with our own pain?

4. Forgiveness and Salvation
8 minutes
Read Genesis 50:20.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.”
Leader says:
When Joseph finally stands before his brothers, he has every earthly reason to seek revenge. He has power, authority, memory, evidence, and opportunity. But instead of punishing them, Joseph forgives them. Then he saves them. The very brother they rejected becomes the one through whom they are rescued from famine.
Jesus fulfills this in a greater way. He is rejected, betrayed, beaten, mocked, and crucified. Yet from the cross He says, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” But Jesus does more than speak forgiveness. He purchases it. On the cross, He takes the punishment our sins deserve. Through His death and resurrection, He provides salvation for all who believe.
Our story is changed because of His forgiveness and salvation. We rejected God, but Jesus offers forgiveness. We deserved judgment, but Jesus took our place. We were separated from God, but Jesus reconciles us to Him.
Joseph forgave his brothers and saved them from famine.
Jesus forgives sinners and saves them from judgment.
We receive forgiveness and salvation by faith in Christ.
Ask:
What would have made revenge tempting for Joseph?
How does Joseph’s forgiveness point forward to Jesus?
What does it mean personally that Jesus did not merely forgive our sin, but also saved us from the judgment our sin deserved?
Follow-up:
Why is forgiveness not the same as pretending sin does not matter?
Leader thought:
Forgiveness is not God overlooking sin. Forgiveness is possible because Jesus paid for sin in full.

5. Abundant Life
5 minutes
Read John 10:10.
“I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”
Leader says:
Joseph’s story ends with abundant life. His brothers are forgiven, saved from famine, brought near to him, and settled in the best of the land. What began with betrayal ends with provision, restoration, and life.
Jesus offers the greater abundant life. Through His death and resurrection, He does not merely rescue us from punishment. He brings us into restored relationship with God. He gives eternal life in heaven one day and abundant life with Him now.
Our story can now have a happy ending because of Jesus. Sin is not the end. Rejection is not the end. Betrayal is not the end. Suffering is not the end. Death is not the end. In Christ, the ending is secure.
Joseph’s family was brought into life in Goshen.
Jesus rose from the dead and gives life to all who believe.
We are invited into abundant life now and eternal life forever.
Ask:
What would it look like for you to live this week as someone whose happy ending is secure in Christ?
Follow-up:
Where do you need to experience abundant life right now: peace, forgiveness, freedom, obedience, hope, or restored fellowship with God?

6. Closing Response and Prayer
2 minutes
Leader says:
Joseph’s story points forward. Jesus’ story fulfills the arc. Our story is changed by it.
Because of Jesus, rejection is not the end. Sin is not the end. Suffering is not the end. Betrayal is not the end. Death is not the end. In Christ, the happy ending is secure, and abundant life can begin right now.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for loving us while we were still sinners. Thank You that Jesus entered our broken story, took our punishment, offered forgiveness, and secured our salvation. Help us see Joseph’s story as a signpost pointing to Christ. Help us receive the forgiveness of Jesus, trust His salvation, and live in the abundant life He purchased for us. Amen.