Formed by Frustration

• Partner with the Holy Spirit to look more like and at the end of it.

| Joshua 9:1-27 | Galatians 5:22-25 | Titus 3:3-7 | (MULTILINE)

• Keep your … especially when it’s .

| Joshua 9:15-20 | 2 Samuel 21:1-2 | Psalm 15:1-4 | Matthew 5:33-37 | James 5:12 | (MULTILINE)

• through the – allowing to form .

| Joshua 9:21 | Psalm 84:10-12 | Romans 5:3-5 | Galatians 6:9-10 | (MULTILINE)

• Trust that God’s : He can the things you did not .

| Genesis 50:20 | Nehemiah 3:7 | Romans 8:28 | Philippians 1:12-14 | James 1:2-4 | (MULTILINE)

Small Group Questions

What do you think?

1. Have someone quickly read over the main “fill-ins” from Sunday’s message to jog your memories.(MULTILINE)
2. From the message, what particular point challenged you, stood out to you, or raised a question for you?(MULTILINE)

The story of your life.

1. Have you ever fallen for a harmless trick or prank? What happened, and how did you react?(MULTILINE)
2. When you’re stressed or discouraged, what’s usually the first “good thing” you tend to drop (serving, prayer, community, generosity, etc.)? Conversely, have you ever stuck with it and felt the reward? (MULTILINE)

Digging deeper in God’s Word.

1. On Sunday, we saw the importance of trusting in God’s providence. Have a few group members (as best as they can) summarize Joseph’s life. Today we will pick up the story in the end, where he is unveiled before his family and he displays grace to them. Read Genesis 50:1-21 and respond to the following prompts/questions.
   1. Have a few members of the group recap the main tenets of Genesis 50.(MULTILINE)
   2. What does this story tell us about God? Providence? People and ourselves?(MULTILINE)
   3. Where do you sense God inviting you to extend the same grace Joseph extended—to someone, a situation, or even yourself?(MULTILINE)
2. On Sunday, we saw how keeping our word, especially when it’s hard, can form us into the disciples Jesus wants us to be. Read the following verses on keeping your word and share an aspect of it that comes naturally for you as well one that is harder for you.
   1. Matthew 5:33-37.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   2. Psalm 15:1-4.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   3. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   4. In light of this, is there anything the Spirit is asking you to do differently?(MULTILINE)
3. Finally, let’s slow down for the end of the discussion. Read each of the following verses in at least 3 translations. Have the reader read each one three times through. Do not move on to the next verse immediately. Give some space for reflection (30-60 seconds).
   1. Genesis 50:20.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   2. Romans 8:28.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
   3. Consider something you are going through right now. How do you sense the Spirit shaping and forming you through it? In light of these verses, is there something God wants you to do differently about it?(MULTILINE)

Personal reflection and application.

1. Have everyone share one thing someone else said in this discussion that struck a chord with you.(MULTILINE)
2. Break up into smaller groups and pray for one another (preferably men with men and women with women).(MULTILINE)