Don Pearson // Northview Campus // May 17, 2026
SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE
THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Genesis 39
REMINDERS
The gears of summer planning are turning and the activities are about to begin!
We have many ways that we gather together as a church – from little kiddos through our “Just Older Youth (JOY)” groups. We want to help all our church family grow in community and in Christ.
Be sure to check out the events page for the Summer at Magnify details.
You can keep up with all our current news and events through our online bulletin.
See the events page on the website for more updates.
TOGETHER IN LIFE
- What do you do when life feels unfair, uncertain or painful? Don Pearson teaches from Genesis 39, exploring how Joseph’s story reminds us that God is still sovereign and faithful in every season. Even in the middle of trials, ‘the Lord was with Joseph,” encouraging us to trust God with patience, courage and hope.
TOGETHER IN THE WORD
Read Genesis 39 aloud together.
KEY QUESTION: Is there a time in your life where you especially felt God’s presence with you? What is an area of your life where God feels absent?
QUESTIONS:
- Read through Genesis 39 and identify the different times it was mentioned that the Lord was with Joseph. Was the Lord with Joseph only in the good times when he prospered?
- Read Psalm 23. In verse 4 it says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
- In this verse ‘You” is a personal reference to God and “with” indicates closeness.
- When you think about this verse what is significant to you? Does this mean God will remove the dark valley?
- Is there a time in your life where you especially felt God’s presence with you? What is an area of your life where God feels absent?
- Joseph was imprisoned unfairly. Don also shared the stories of William Tyndale, John Bunyan and Dietrich Bonhoeffer all of whom were imprisoned for following their beliefs. None of them lived to see the impact of their actions.
- Read Psalm 51:4. “Against You, You only, have I sinned.”
- Read Genesis 39:9. “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
- How do you tend to evaluate whether or not God is present based on circumstances?
- When you ponder these verses do you think that saying no to temptation is saying Yes, to God? How can we remember that God is sovereign and is with us in the thick of situations that are trying?
TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION
- Name one area in your life right now where God feels absent. Say it out loud in your mind.
- Now say, “God is with me here.”
