SPECIAL

What’s something you see differently than most people—maybe even something silly, like how to eat a certain food or the right way to load the dishwasher?

While some perspectives on things can be simple and lighthearted, the truth is, having the right perspective can make all the difference in the world when it comes to following God by faith. In Sunday’s message, Pastor Bryan walked us through the story of Joseph in Genesis, highlighting how living by faith and holding on to God-given dreams means seeking out and choosing to see things from His perspective. The journey isn’t always smooth—there are setbacks, disappointments, and unexpected detours. But even in the hard moments, we can trust that God’s favor hasn’t left us. He’s still working, shaping us, and guiding us toward the fulfillment of His purpose in our lives.

How do we reconcile the idea of God’s favor with seasons of suffering or betrayal, like Joseph experienced? In other words… can we still call it “favor” when everything seems to be falling apart? What do you think?

In Joseph’s story, three powerful themes stand out and weave through every part of his journey: the promise God gave him, the pits he endured along the way, and the greater purpose God was working out in his life. From the dreams of his youth to the betrayal by his brothers, from prison cells to the palace, Joseph’s life reminds us that God’s promises don’t come without challenges—but every pit has a purpose, and God is faithful to bring His plans to completion.

Can you think of a promise from God that feels personal to your life—maybe something from the Bible or something you feel He spoke to you personally? Can you tell us about it?

Have you ever had a moment where you struggled to see how your current difficulty might fit into God’s bigger purpose for your life? What were the circumstances surrounding that struggle?

Do you think it’s possible to misunderstand a dream or promise from God? How can we tell the difference between trusting God and just holding on too hard to something that might not be from Him?

Understanding and adopting God’s perspective isn’t always easy—especially when life throws unexpected challenges our way. Yet, just like Joseph, we can learn to trust that even in the toughest “pit” moments, God is still at work behind the scenes. Practically, this means when we face setbacks or confusion about our dreams or promises, we pause and intentionally seek God’s guidance through prayer, Scripture, and wise faith-based counsel. It also means being open to adjusting our expectations and recognizing that sometimes the path God leads us on looks different than we imagined. By doing this, we allow God to shape our character and deepen our faith, helping us move forward with hope and confidence in His greater purpose.

What are some practical ways you can remind yourself that God is working behind the scenes, even when you can’t see it?

Let’s pray together over our group and what we talked about today.