Joseph 1.God in the Big Picture of Life 2.God in Dysfunction 3.Being a Victim... Then What? 4.Tough Reconciliation

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

1. Dysfunctional Family

1.Reuben = God has seen (my misery) 2.Simeon = One who hears (I am not loved) 3.Levi = Attached – “Maybe now my husband will be attached to me” 4.Judah = Praise God – “This time I will praise God” Dysfunctional Family The set up: Genesis 29:16-30 Leah’s first set of children

5. Dan = vindicated – “God has vindicated me” 6. Naphtali = my struggle – “I have won a great struggle with my sister” Dysfunctional Family The set up: Genesis 29:16-30 Bilhah’s children, named by Rachel

7. Gad = good fortune 8. Asher = happy – “Women will call me happy” Dysfunctional Family The set up: Genesis 29:16-30 Zilpah’s children, named by Leah Leah’s 2 nd round of children 9. Issachar = reward – God has rewarded me for giving my husband for giving my maid to my husband 10. Zebulun = honor – “Now my husband will honor me”

11. Joseph = May he add – “God, give me another son” 12. Benoni = “Son of my sorrow” Benjamin = “Son of my right hand” Dysfunctional Family The set up: Genesis 29:16-30 Rachel’s children

Genesis 37:3 Genesis 42:24 & 38 Dysfunctional Family

A dysfunctional family is a family in which conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuse on the part of individual parents occur continually and regularly, leading other members to “think this is normal”. Dysfunctional Family

“Using” parent Abusing parent Perfectionist parent Cult-like parent Depriving parent Abandonment Appeasement for peace Loyalty manipulation Helicopter The deceivers Public image manager Paranoid parent Role reversal My baby forever Cheerleader/favoritism Politician

Six basic roles of children in dysfunctional family 1.The “good” child – becomes the “parent” 2. The problem child (scapegoat) 3.The caretaker 4.The lost child 5.The mascot 6.The opportunist

Things God wants us to learn No pretending

Things God wants us to learn Dysfunction does not stop God from being engaged in your life & accomplishing his purpose.

Things God wants us to learn Dysfunctional parents should not be the reason to push God away.

Things God wants us to learn It’s not an excuse.

Things God wants us to learn Your past does not have to determine your future... Scars may remain, but they don’t have to define you.

Things God wants us to learn Your story is not over.

Things God wants us to learn You can be pro-active: Look to the Lord.

Things God wants us to learn God re-deems you.