INTRODUCTION
Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him Into Slavery
Bible Point:
God wants us to make life-giving choices.
Key Verse:
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Big Picture:
God wants us to make life-giving choices, even when it is unpopular.
Joseph’s Brothers Sell Him Into Slavery
Genesis 37:12-36
Teenagers are all in different places when it comes to understanding right and wrong. Some still see moral choices as very clear and straightforward. Others are beginning to think more abstractly and can handle gray areas with greater comfort. As you study this topic throughout the week, take time to talk about your values and how you make decisions. Explore what it means to choose what is life-giving and to stay open to God’s guidance as you navigate complex situations.
DAILY CHALLENGE
Choose one or more of these Daily Challenges to do this week.
• Continue to evaluate the decisions you make by taking an inventory at the end of each day. Ask God to help you make things right when you make harmful choices and to continue to choose to do things that give life.
• Apologize to someone to heal the relationship between the two of you.
• Consider the typical moral decisions your peers make at school or in your neighborhood. Have you been blending in? Stand out from the crowd by caring for all of God’s creations.
FAITH JOURNAL
What criteria do you use when making a moral decision?
TALK WITH YOUR FAMILY
Read Psalm 143:8 with your family, and discuss these questions:
• What does it mean to you to know that God’s love for you is unfailing?
• Why shouldn’t a relationship with God be forced?
• Discuss a time when you knew what God was asking you to do, but you chose to do your own thing, separate from God. Talk about the benefits of following God even when it’s difficult.
Have everyone write out the second half of Psalm 143:8 using fancy letters and decorate the verse. You might gain inspiration from this verse and decorate it like a path. Then hang it all around your house and make it a prayer when you see it. Let God guide your actions this week.