WHEN GOD TEACHES US TO WAIT

MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on t he App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.

GROWTH QUESTION #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

GROWTH QUESTION #2

What did you learn from this week’s sermon?

GROWTH QUESTION #3

What was your most important accomplishment this week?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Genesis 43:26-34 (NLT)- 26 When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him, then bowed low to the ground before him. 27 After greeting them, he asked, “How is your father, the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?” 28 “Yes,” they replied. “Our father, your servant, is alive and well.” And they bowed low again. 29 Then Joseph looked at his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother. “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Joseph asked. “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother. He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept.31 After washing his face, he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered, “Bring out the food!”32 The waiters served Joseph at his own table, and his brothers were served at a separate table. The Egyptians who ate with Joseph sat at their own table, because Egyptians despise Hebrews and refuse to eat with them. 33 Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them according to age, from oldest to youngest. 34 And Joseph filled their plates with food from his own table, giving Benjamin five times as much as he gave the others. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Opening QUESTION

What part of this passage stands out to you the most and why?

BACKGROUND
Joseph now stands in authority, face-to-face with the very people who wounded him most deeply. He has the power to reveal himself, retaliate, or reconcile instantly — yet he does none of those. Instead, Joseph chooses restraint, wisdom, and timing. This passage shows us that. God often works quietly long before He works publicly.

TRUTH #1

 GOD DOESN’T RUSH WHAT HE IS HEALING

(v. 26–28)

  • Even though the moment is emotionally charged, Joseph does not rush the process.
  • God rarely heals deep wounds instantly — He works through time, truth, and patience.
  • Joseph allows the moment to unfold naturally instead of forcing closure.
  • Waiting does not mean God is inactive; it means He is working beneath the surface.

Psalm 27:14 (NLT) – “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.”

  • God’s timing protects what emotions might rush and damage.
  • Sometimes obedience looks like waiting, even when everything in you wants to act.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Why do you think waiting is often harder than acting, especially in emotional situations?

TRUTH #2

 MATURITY IS SHOWN BY SELF-CONTROL, NOT POWER

(v. 29–31)

  • Joseph had the authority to expose his brothers immediately, but he chose restraint.
  • He asks about their father, showing concern instead of accusation.
  • Joseph’s tears were real, but he refused to let emotions control his actions.
  • True spiritual maturity is the ability to feel deeply without reacting impulsively.
  • Joseph models what it looks like to lead with wisdom rather than emotion.

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) – “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”

  • Just because you can respond doesn’t mean you should… timing matters.
  • God often grows us by teaching us when to speak, when to stay silent, and when to trust Him with the outcome.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

How has God used a situation in your life to teach you self-control or patience?

TRUTH #3

 GOD CAN BE AT WORK EVEN WHEN HIS PURPOSE IS HIDDEN

(v. 32–34)

  • Joseph eats separately, still concealing his identity.The brothers enjoy peace, food, and generosity, unaware of what God is preparing.
  • Benjamin receives five times more, yet there is no jealousy or hostility.
  • God is quietly revealing that hearts have changed.
  • Often, God confirms transformation before He reveals restoration.

Isaiah 45:15 (MSG) – “You are a God who works behind the scenes.”

  • God doesn’t need to announce His work for it to be effective.
  • Healing can be happening even when nothing looks resolved yet.
  • What God hides for a season, He reveals at the right time.
  • Trust God even when you don’t see immediate clarity. He is still at work. 

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Can you recall a time when God was working in your life quietly, and you didn’t realize it until later?

CLOSING QUESTION

What’s one thing you learned today that you can apply to your life this week?

GIVING

True sacrifice should cost us something.

2 Samuel 24:24 (NLT)
But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen. 

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

PRAY

QUESTION #1

Who are you praying for to be saved?

QUESTION #2

Who can you invite to the next meeting?

QUESTION #3

What are your prayer requests?