Joseph: How Faith and Character are formed
Falsely accused – Week 3
Sermon Date: June 17th
Sermon Reading: Genesis 39:1-23
 

 Ice breaker

 
Why do you think that children find it so hard to obey their parents?
 
Can you remember anything from last Sunday's sermon that struck you?
 

Study

Since our last study on Genesis 37:12-36 we’ve now jumped to chapter 39. This is because Genesis 38 is about another of Jacob’s sons, Judah. We can gather from this that some time has passed since the young seventeen year old Joseph was sold to Potiphar. We don’t know how much time, but he is now the ‘Captain of the Guard’ for one of Pharaoh’s officials. The New Bible Commentary suggests that this post entailed him being in charge of the prison for royal prisoners and may have also been in charge of catering in the palace.
 
Please read Genesis 39:1-23
 
Q1 - Looking at verses 1-6a, why do you think Joseph was so successful? What can we learn from Joseph’s success?
 
Q2 - Do you think Joseph’s career growth should be something expected of all of us? Why?
 
Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”. Joseph’s story is part of God’s greater plan, to save many lives from a time of famine. God’s plan for Joseph was that he would become Pharaoh’s number two and manage their resources in a really hard time. That doesn’t mean that we are all called to be like him, but we can follow his example of honesty, searching for God’s purposes and living out his plans for our lives.
 
Q3 - In verses 6-20 we find that Joseph is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. What was Joseph’s reaction when he was tempted? How do you feel when you’ve been able to overcome temptations and know you’ve done the right thing?
 
Q4 - There is once again injustice in this story. Have you ever been falsely accused? How do you react to false accusations?
 
Q5 - How do you react when you are treated unjustly? Can you remember any time in your life when you felt this way?
 
Q6 - Do you feel it is part of our call to support those who are being treated in an unjust way? Do you know anyone in that situation? How could you support and help them?
 
Please read verses 20-23 again
 
God was with Joseph in the prison. He showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warder.
 
Q7 - Are you able to see God’s goodness and love even in the midst of chaos and injustice?
 
Q8 - Can you remember times in your life when things weren’t going your way yet you were able to know that the Lord was with you?
 

Action

  
Joseph was tempted, but he decided to honour God and obey him. He could have gone through an easier path and compromise his beliefs. Because of his obedience, he was thrown into prison. Choosing to obey God isn’t easy and the consequences of it aren’t easy either.
 
C. S. Lewis said “there would be no sense in saying you trusted Jesus if you would not take His advice”. We are called to choose God’s ways as Christians, to obey and trust in Him. He promises to be with us.
 
Q9 – In what ways do you find it difficult to obey Jesus?
 
Spend a few minutes praying for strength, courage and trust to be able to obey God, knowing that he is with us always.