Discussion Questions for Small Groups or Individual Study

Ice Breaker (if needed): What’s one of your favorite or least-favorite endings to a book, show, or movie? Why did you like or dislike it?

1. Think about someone you know whose life is still defined by their old pain. How does their old pain affect their current life? Why do you think they are still stuck in their pain? How do you think it will end for them? (Be careful to protect their identity as you talk.) 

2. Read Genesis 42:6-24. What do you think was going on in Joseph’s heart in verse 24? Compare that to what is likely happening in Genesis 45:1-2. In what way had Joseph developed or grown between these two times of weeping?

3. “Hurt people, hurt other people.” How do you think the pain Joseph’s brothers experienced affected them? (See Genesis 37:3-8 and 42:36-38.) How have you experience or witnessed a cycle of pain in your own family or relationships? How do you break the cycle? 

4. Karl gave 4 steps for ending our pain points: a. Face the pain. b. Forgive the offense. c. Invite God into it. d. Agree with who you are in Christ. In what way is each step important to our healing? How do you accomplish each step? Are there any others steps Karl didn’t mention? 

 5. With a partner discuss: Is there any pain point from your past that needs to reach a conclusion? How do you think God wants it to end? What is your next step toward that end?