Key Thought: The trials, challenges, and difficulties we face often prepares us for greater things. Difficulties and trials does not mean God has forsaken us or loves us less..
.August 7, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 34:27-31

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What kind of emotional and relational impact would this incident have had on the family as a whole and on Joseph as well?
3. Personal Application: What family dysfunction have you inherited? How can you break the pattern? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can Abraham’s family be considered people of faith when you consider their messy family relationships?.” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 37:3,4; 39:1.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did the older brothers hope to gain by selling Joseph? What kind of character development had occurred in Joseph’s sons? Did having multiple mothers contribute to their lack of development in empathy and care for one another?
3. Personal Application: Did your parents ever favor a sibling over you? How did it make you feel? How do you relate to it now? Or were you the favored one? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Do you think Israel made a mistake in favoring Joseph so much over his brothers? Wouldn’t that cause them to be jealous and feel less loved and important?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis 39:1-10.

1.  Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What did Joseph do whole in prison? How did he relate to those around him?
3. Personal Application: Are there people or situations that would make it hard to relate to people around you? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Families tend to stick together pretty good until something bad happens to them, and then they can either draw closer in faith, or blame each other, fight and argue, and/or shut everyone out – which causes division and trouble in the home. Even in Christian homes, it seems like trouble brings division. Does that mean their faith isn’t real?“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 40:20-23.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. How would you feel being in prison. falsely accused, and having to be incarcerated by a foreign nation in a foreign country?
3. Personal Application: How can you, by God’s grace, seek to follow love, forgiveness, and burden bearing to bring healing to your family relationships?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!(0)

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Initially Joseph’s story in Egypt takes a positive turn. Joseph has entrusted himself to God, and God blesses Joseph, who rises to heights he would not have imagined in Potiphar’s household.

In what practical ways could God’s blessings be seen in Joseph’s life? What are Joseph’s interpersonal relationships like? Read Genesis 39:1-6.

Although Joseph seems to be getting along very well with Potiphar, and his relationships among the staff in the house and on the field seem to be smooth — trouble is brewing. Someone at home is restless.

What relationship problem is Joseph facing? How does he choose to manage it? Read Genesis 39:7-10.

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Joseph has a problem with Potiphar’s wife. Perhaps we should reformulate that: Potiphar’s wife has a problem. She looks at others as “things” that can be manipulated and used. She wants to “use” Joseph. Joseph is described as “handsome in form and appearance” (Genesis 39:6). The Bible seldom mentions people’s physical traits, because God “does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). In this case Joseph’s good looks seem to be more of a hinderance than a help in his pursuit of purity and faithfulness to God’s principles.

Despite this wicked woman’s insistence, Joseph does something seemingly counterproductive. He applies biblical principles to all relationships — in this case Potiphar’s wife. Biblical principles for relationships are not old-fashioned, as anyone (which is everyone) who has suffered the consequences of sin can attest.

The biblical narrative points out that this is not a one-off temptation. Potiphar’s wife pursued him again and again (Genesis 39:10). Joseph tried explaining his motivation for his decision ( Genesis 39.8-9) but this did not seem to work.

Joseph realizes that he cannot control the choices of others. He decides, however, to live, love, and treat those around him in a way that will honor God. Joseph has learned to live in God’s presence. This knowledge helped him resist temptation.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(0)

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