Read Exodus 1:1-7
The book of Exodus begins with a list of Abraham’s descendants who came to Egypt. These verses tell us that Israel’s bondage in Egypt has a backstory. Long before Abraham had children of his own, God told him that his descendants would live in a land that was not theirs and would be enslaved for four hundred years (Genesis 15:13–16).
A key figure in the opening verses of the Exodus story is Abraham’s great-grandson, Joseph (Exodus 1:6). Joseph’s life explains how Israel came to be in Egypt in the first place. His story shows how family systems shape individual lives and how patterns can move through generations.
How to Read Joseph’s Family System
Joseph is born into a multi-generational, blended family system shaped by favoritism, rivalry, loss, and competition. These patterns do not begin with him, but they profoundly shape his life (See Genesis 29–30; 35:16–26).
Family Structure (Who is in the system?)
Great-Grandparents Grandparents
- Abraham • Isaac (son of Abraham and Sarah)
- Sarah • Rebekah
Parents/Household Structure
- Jacob (Israel)
- Leah
- Rachel
- Bilhah (Rachel’s servant)
- Zilpah (Leah’s servant)
Siblings
- Reuben (Leah) • Simeon (Leah)
- Levi (Leah) • Judah (Leah)
- Dan (Bilhah) • Naphtali (Bilhah)
- Gad (Zilpah) • Asher (Zilpah)
- Issachar (Leah) • Zebulun (Leah)
- Joseph (Rachel) • Benjamin (Rachel)
- Dinah (Leah) • Daughters (Gen. 37:35)
Key Notes for Joseph’s Family System
- Large blended family
- Multiple mothers within one household
- Clear birth-order differences among siblings
- Joseph & Benjamin are the only sons of Jacob’s favored wife (Genesis 29–30; 35:16–26)
Repeating Patterns Across Generations
Where do we see favoritism before Joseph?
Isaac → Jacob
Where do we see deception before Joseph?
Abraham → Isaac → Jacob
Where do we see conflict between siblings before Joseph?
Ishmael/Isaac, Esau/Jacob
Family History Leading to Joseph
Abraham — Fear and Survival Shape Decisions
Abraham responds to fear by deception. He places his family at risk in order to survive (Genesis 12:10–20; 20:1–13).
Pattern established: fear-driven choices during uncertainty.
Isaac — Favoritism Within the Home
Isaac favors Esau over Jacob. His family is divided (Genesis 25:28).
Pattern reinforced: parental favoritism creates rivalry.
Jacob — Deception and Family Conflict
Jacob deceives his father and fractures relationships within the family (Genesis 27:1–35).
Pattern continues: deception used to secure blessing.
Jacob’s Household — Divided Family System
Jacob’s family is shaped by rivalry between wives and children (Genesis 29:30–31; 30:1–24).
Pattern expands: competition and insecurity within the family system.
Joseph’s Life Within That System
Joseph — Favored Son
Jacob openly favors Joseph above his brothers (Genesis 37:3–4).
Pattern repeated: favoritism passed to the next generation.
Joseph — Betrayed by Brothers
Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery out of jealousy (Genesis 37:12–28).
Pattern escalates: unresolved rivalry leads to betrayal.
Joseph — Displacement and Loss
Joseph is taken to Egypt, separated from family and homeland (Genesis 37:36).
Individual consequence: family conflict reshapes his life circumstances.
Joseph — God at Work in Egypt
Despite injustice and imprisonment, God remains with Joseph (Genesis 39:2–3, 20–23).
New movement: God works within the broken system, not outside it.
Joseph — Family Relocation to Egypt
Joseph’s position leads his entire family to settle in Egypt during famine (Genesis 46:1–7).
Generational outcome: family patterns result in long-term placement in Egypt.
Stress Response of the Family System
- avoids honest confrontation
- escalates rivalry
- removes the “problem person”
Key takeaway: God worked faithfully within Joseph’s complex family system to move His purposes forward (see Genesis 37:24; 41:14; 45:5-8; 50:20).
Genogram Exercise
A genogram is a visual representation of family relationships showing the quality and
proximity of relationships and patterns across generations.
Disclaimer: You are not required to share details. The goal is awareness, not exposure.
This genogram is a work in progress. We are not trying to capture everything. Today, we are simply mapping who is in the family system and noticing basic patterns. Deeper questions come later.
Step 1 — Who Is in Your Family System?
- Who are the key people in your family across two or three generations?
- Include parents, grandparents, siblings, and children.
- If you are unsure about someone, it is fine to leave it blank.
Step 2 — Family Relationships
- Who was married or partnered?
- Who lived together in the same household?
- Were there divorces, separations, or remarriages?
Step 3 — Children and Birth Order
- How many children were in each family?
- What was the birth order?
- Are there any siblings who died young or were not raised in the home?
Step 4 — Living Situations
- Who raised you?
- Did anyone live outside the home for long periods?
- Were there major moves that affected the family?
Step 5 — Basic Relationship Closeness
- Which relationships felt close?
- Which felt distant?
- If unsure, leave it blank.
Step 6 — Patterns You Notice
- Do you notice repeated patterns such as:
- favoritism
- distance between siblings
- strong bonds between certain people
- Simply note what you see.
Step 7 — Strengths
- Who in your family provided stability or support?
- Where do you see perseverance, care, or faith?
Lesson 1 workbook
My Family-System Map
Map the people, relationships, repeating patterns, and strengths that form the backstory of your life. Names and identifying details are optional.
Your answers will be saved to your private profile so you can return to this lesson later.
Loading your saved work…
Guided intake activity
Build your family-system map
Give the information once. The site assigns generations, symbols, and family connections for you. Use initials or short labels and bring the printed map with you.
Start with you
Begin with your place in the family. This is the center of the map—not a test. Use initials or a short label instead of your full name.
If you have children, you can add them in the next section. The map will place them in the younger generation automatically.
Symbol legend and relationship key
The site assigns symbols, generations, and family connections from your answers. Optional context is hidden unless you choose to include it in the printed copy.