Forgotten, but Not Forsaken

September 20, 2026

Joseph spends years faithfully serving while his circumstances remain unchanged. Forgotten by the cupbearer and confined in prison, he cannot see that God is preparing him for the opportunity ahead. Join us for part three of But God…, where we will see that Joseph’s waiting was not wasted and that God uses obscurity, disappointment, and delay to shape him into someone capable of carrying the calling he received years earlier.

Passage

Gensis 39:21-41:1a

Principle

God can use the ##delay## and ##difficulty## between the dream and its fulfillment to ##form## the person who can ##faithfully## carry it.

Practice

Instead of asking, “When will God change my circumstances?” ask, “##What## ##is## ##God## ##forming## ##in## ##me## ##here##?”

Small Group Questions

Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple or family, or with a small group.

HANGOUT

Who is someone you have seen use authority or influence for the benefit of others? What made that person’s leadership trustworthy? What influence has God currently entrusted to you?

HEAR

Read Genesis 41:33-57

Joseph moves from managing Potiphar’s household and the prison to administering an entire nation’s resources. How might his faithfulness in less visible responsibilities have prepared him for greater influence?
Pharaoh grants Joseph enormous authority. What temptations often accompany power, success, and recognition? What evidence shows that Joseph views his authority as a responsibility rather than merely a reward?
What insight does the birth and naming of Joseph's sons give us into his thoughts and feelings? Joseph doesn't know what is about to happen. Do you think he is at peace at this point in the story? Why or why not?

Read Genesis 47:13-26

The Egyptians tell Joseph, “You have saved our lives” (v. 25), yet the policy also places nearly all the land and people under Pharaoh’s control. What benefits and dangers do you see in Joseph’s decisions?
Imagine Joseph could see his descendants enslaved in Egypt a few hundred years later. Do you think he would have regretted his choices? Have you ever made a good short-term decision only to regret its long-term consequences?
Why is it important to distinguish between what Scripture describes and what it approves? Does God’s use of Joseph require us to conclude that every decision he made was beyond criticism? Why or why not?

Read Luke 16:10-12

What connection does Jesus draw between faithfulness in small responsibilities and in greater ones? Where do you see that principle illustrated in Joseph’s life?
What might faithfulness with “someone else’s property” look like in your workplace, family, church, or community?
How can success make it easy to forget that our authority and resources still belong to God? What practices help us remain accountable to Him?

HUDDLE

God does not give us influence merely to elevate us but to make us responsible for the good of others. Identify one area of influence God has entrusted to you—your work, family, finances, relationships, abilities, or ministry. What is one concrete way you can use that influence for someone else’s good this week? Share your commitment with the group, invite accountability, and pray for the wisdom and humility to be faithful with all that God has placed in your hands.

Daily Reading

As you continue to read through the end of Genesis and the life of Joseph, invite the Holy Spirit to remind you of all the ways He has been with you through the difficult times of life.

Day 1: Genesis 40
Day 2: Genesis 41:1-16
Day 3: Genesis 41:17-36
Day 4: Genesis 41:37-57
Day 5: Psalm 105:16-22
Day 6: James 1:2-8, 12-18
Day 7: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Think Deeper

Are you currently waiting for something? If so, what is it, and how long have you been waiting?
When have you felt the most forgotten?
Can you recall a time when waiting longer than you wanted led to something even better than you had imagined?