Unit 11 – Hard Times
Lesson 30 – Joseph, A Prisoner in Egypt – Genesis 39:21-40:23
1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that those who keep a clear conscience before God will continue to enjoy His blessings despite their outward circumstances.
2. Explanation of the Aim: When people falsely accuse you of doing something wrong remember how Joseph responded in a similar situation. Instead of trying to exact revenge on his accusers Joseph remained true to God in prison as he did when he was in the lap of luxury. Help the people see that our moral choices are not situationally dependent.
3. The Bible Story: Potiphar’s wife wanted to sleep with Joseph, but the man of God said, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” (Gen. 39:9,10)
Godly people refuse to give into temptation no matter how attractive it is, no more matter how long it lasts or no matter who is offering it. Joseph teaches us that immorality is always wrong. Joseph bravely faces the false accusations of Potiphars’ wife because he is given a peace in his heart from God. When we are obedient with God we do not have to mind the turbulence around us.
4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION is designed to help the people understand why Biblical absolute about morality never change despite society’s eroding moral standards. Ask the people if anyone knows the definition of immorality? Immorality is anything that is contradictory to God’s moral standards of purity, honesty and blamelessness especially in regards to sexual matters. What does the Bible mean when it says,
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5)
THE BIBLE STORY explains how Joseph is put into prison because he is falsely accused of having sexual relations with Potiphar’s wife. We learn how the injustice of men does not hinder the just workings of God.
THE MEANING FOR OUR LIVES helps the people make applications regarding the avoidance of any indiscrete immoral acts or attitudes. Allow the people to pray with one friend to apply the principles found in Col. 3:5,6.
Introduction
Help the people to understand why Biblical absolute about morality never change despite society’s eroding moral standards. Explain the difference between absolute Biblical moral and the changing relative values of cultures.
Ask the people if anyone knows the definition of immorality? Immorality is anything that is contradictory to God’s moral standards of purity, honesty and blamelessness especially in regards to sexual matters. What does the Bible mean when it says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Col. 3:5)
The Bible Story
Joseph teaches us how a pure man of God is able to escape from temptations regardless of what criticisms may be leveled against him. The wife of Potiphar, having tried in vain to make him a guilty man, endeavoured to be avenged on him. People who have broken the bonds of modesty, will never be held by the bonds of truth. It is no new thing for the best of men to be falsely accused of the worst of crimes, by those who themselves are the worst of criminals. It is well there is a day of discovery coming, in which all shall appear in their true characters.
Let us know that Joseph, like Jesus Christ, was allowed to pass through terrible times of temptation for God’s purposes. God gave both Joseph and Jesus great grace to endure the false accusations heaped upon them from people of the world. Sometimes what looks like a defeat by the world is really victory in God’s sight when the righteous do what they are led to do.
The world also thought Jesus was defeated and utterly shamed when they nailed Him to a cross. However, the reality of victory in trials, became manifestly clear to the entire world in the fullness of God’s timing. Let us learn that God’s timing is perfect and all of His ways lead to blessings. Refuse to become bitter, resentful or angry when you are falsely accused. Allow the Lord to be your shield, defender and rescuer from all difficulties.
When trials come regard them as a badge of honor because you can know that the Lord has chosen you to be promoted through a university of tears. Paul wrote, “If indeed we share His sufferings in ordr that we may also share in His glory. For I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:17,18) The Lord always uses every adversity to prepare us for something better.
Do not be afraid or discouraged if authority figures believe false reports about you. Joseph’s master believed the accusation against him. Potiphar, it is likely, chose that prison, because it was the worst; but God designed it to open the way to Joseph’s honor. God can turn crisis into opportunities. Joseph was owned and made right by God. He was away from all his friends and relations; he had none to help or comfort him; but the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy.
Application: Do not get discouraged when your best friends or family members desert you. Those that have a good conscience in a prison will know they have a strong God helping them to overcome every problem because He is greater than anyone.
God gave Joseph favor in the sight of the keeper of the jail as he was entrusted to manage the affairs of the prison. A good man will do good wherever he find himself.
Great servants of God always are given opportunities to serve. Godly people will be a blessing even in bonds and banishment. Let us not forget, through Joseph, to look to Jesus, who suffered under terrible temptation, yet without sin. Jesus was also slandered, and persecuted, and imprisoned, but without just reason.
Jesus ascended to the throne by way of the cross. Joseph got promoted to the top administrators job by way of a dungy prison cell. May we depend on God to enable us to follow the same path in submitting and in suffering for His greater glory.
Application: May the Lord allow us to follow Joseph’s example of avoiding the sin of immorality. Learn to follow Paul’s instruction when he wrote, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 2:22-25)
Only when young people determine to become an example of what is good are they able to overcome evil.
Application: Follow the good pattern set by Joseph and Jesus and you will be blessed and promoted in God’s proper time.
Memory Verse: “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Tim. 2:22)
The Meaning for Our Lives
Help the people make applications regarding the avoidance of any indiscrete immoral acts or attitudes. Allow the people to pray with one friend to apply the principles found in Col. 3:5,6.
Ask the people how they can avoid immoral temptations? Make suggestions on how the people can follow the formula for overcoming sexual immorality from the apostle Paul’s letter to Timothy: 2 Timothy 2:22-26.
Response
Song: Living for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that I do. Yielded allegiance glad hearted and free this is the pathway of blessings for me.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you fill your mind with God’s word so that you can keep your way pure. (Memorize Psalm 119:9,11)
At Home: Ask your family and godly friends the best ways to remain pure, holy and blameless in regards to friendships with members of the opposite sex.
