The Mayfield Class

1. In Genesis 43:34 and 44:17, Joseph recreates the very situation that led the brothers to betray him 22 years earlier. Where have you seen God bring you back to an old area of failure, not to shame you, but to reveal how He has changed you?

2. In Genesis 43:14, Jacob prays that God would grant his sons mercy before "the man," and in Genesis 43:30, that mercy shows up in Joseph's heart. Where have you seen God answer a prayer for mercy through the actions of another person? How might God be calling you to be an instrument of mercy for someone else?

3. In Genesis 43:23, Joseph's steward speaks confidently about the God of Israel, reflecting what he has learned from Joseph. What are your coworkers, family members, and friends learning about God from the way you talk about your life and circumstances?

4. In Genesis 44:16, Judah says, "God has found out the guilt of your servants." He is not talking about the silver cup, but about a sin he has carried for 22 years. Is there an area of unresolved sin, guilt, or regret that God may be bringing to the surface? What would it look like to bring that honestly before Him?

5. In Genesis 44:33-34, Judah offers to take Benjamin's place and become a slave so his brother can go free. How has God changed your heart over the years? Where do you see evidence that His grace is still transforming you into someone more willing to sacrifice for others?

6. Over the course of Genesis 43-44, God transforms a group of brothers from men who sold a favored son into slavery into men who refuse to abandon another favored son. Who have you written off as someone who will never change? How does this passage encourage you to keep praying for God to do in their life what He did in Judah's?

UHBC College Ministry 'The Hill'

Reflection Questions

1. Out of everything Jesus says in this long conversation, what is the one thing He most wants this crowd to understand about who He is? 

2. Jesus told the crowd they were looking for Him because He fed them, not because of who He is (v. 26). What is the difference between wanting His hand/gifts and wanting His face/presence? How can we guard ourselves against that?

3. There are three reactions to Jesus in verses 60-71. People walk away, Peter stays, and Judas stays but never actually believes. Which of the three stuck out to you and why? 

UHBC College Ministry 'The Hill'

Reflection Questions

1. Jesus asked Philip a question He already knew the answer to, in order to test him (v. 6). Looking back, when has something hard turned out to be a test that grew you?

2. The boy handed over five small loaves that were nowhere close to enough, and Jesus fed thousands with them. What are the "five loaves" you have been holding back because they seem too small to matter?

3. The disciples ended up in that storm because they obeyed Jesus, not because they disobeyed Him. Does that change the way you think about something hard you are in right now?

1. “We are honest men.” (42:11)  Where in your life have you settled for a general apology instead of naming the specific truth God is asking you to face?
2. “In truth we are guilty…” (42:21) What is the one thing you have never said out loud to God (the specific sin, moment, or wound) that He may be bringing to the surface so grace can finally reach it?
3. Joseph understood them and turned away to weep (42:23–24).  
   When someone in your life tells you the truth about themselves, what happens on your face, whether that is relief that you were right, or grief that they have been carrying it?
4. “What is this that God has done to us?” (42:28) Where is God awakening godly fear in you? Not to crush you, but to move you toward repentance and grace?
5. Jacob says, “All this has come against me.” (42:36) When trouble comes, do you tend to collapse inward like Jacob, or turn upward like the brothers? What does your reaction reveal about your trust in God?
6. “He is the only one left.” (42:38) What long-standing habit, pattern, or favoritism in your life has survived even hard seasons, and where might God be inviting you to let Him change it?

UHBC College Ministry 'The Hill'

Reflection Questions

1. Instead of saying "just trust me," Jesus calls four witnesses: John the Baptist, His own works, the Father, and the Scriptures (vv. 33-40). Which one of those would matter most to a friend of yours who is skeptical, and why?

2. Jesus says they cannot believe because they want approval from people more than approval from God (v. 44). Whose approval do you find yourself working hardest for?

3. Verse 39 says you can study the Bible closely and still miss the person it is pointing to. What would change about the way you read it this week if you were reading to meet Jesus?

UHBC College Ministry 'The Hill'

Reflection Questions

1.   Why do you think John put this story of the lame man and Jesus speaking to the Jews (religious leaders) in his account/gospel of Jesus? 

2.   Why do you think Jesus asked the lame man, “Do you want to get well?” (vs 6)

3. Which one of Jesus’ claims in verses 19-30 gives you the most hope? Why?  

Reflection Questions.     

1. “After two whole years…” (41:1)  Where in your life does it feel like God has left you waiting longer than you expected, and how might He be using that delay as part of His timing rather than wasting it?
2. The cupbearer edited God out of his story (41:9–13). When you tell the story of how something good happened in your life, what parts of God’s work do you tend to leave out?
3. Joseph says, “It is not in me.” (41:16) In what situations are you most tempted to take credit rather than point people to God, and what would it look like to answer like Joseph this week?
4. Joseph spoke the same way in the dungeon and in the throne room (41:16 & 40:8).  Are you the same person in both rooms, whether at home, at work, or at church?
   Where does your speech about God change depending on the audience?
5. Joseph names God four times in eight verses (41:25–32). What part of your life needs God’s name put back into it?
6. Joseph gives his sons Hebrew names in an Egyptian palace (41:51–52). What specific blessing do you need to name out loud this week so your family hears it and remembers that God did it?

UHBC College Ministry 'The Hill'

Reflection Questions

1. Jesus went out of His way into Samaria and spoke first to a woman everybody else avoided. What does that tell you about who Jesus is willing to go after?

2. Jesus said the well water leaves you thirsty again (v. 13). What is something you keep going after that always runs out?

3. She left her water jar and told the town one sentence: "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did" (v. 29). What would your one sentence (or sentences) be, and who needs to hear it?

UHBC College Ministry 'The Hill'

Reflection Questions

1. John says "a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven" (v. 27). If everything you have is a gift, what does that do to jealousy?

2. John calls himself the best man and says his joy is complete when the groom gets the attention. Where is it hardest for you to not be the main character?

3. Verse 36 says whoever believes in the Son HAS eternal life, present tense. What difference would it make this week if you really believed you already have it?

UHBC College Ministry 'The Hill'

Reflection Questions

1. Nicodemus had impressive religious credentials, but Jesus said that was not enough. What things do we tend to rely on today?

2. What can we learn from the story of the snake on the pole in verses 14-15 about how someone is saved?

3. Verses 19-21 say people love darkness because they do not want their lives exposed. How is asking an honest question about Jesus different from hiding or running away?