Connect Where in your life do you need to remember “God may seem invisible, but he is never absent”? How might looking at Jesus, his work, and his promises change the way you respond, pray, or trust in God?
Warm-Up
1. Have you ever felt hopeless, that you have wondered where is God in all of this?
Read Genesis 39:1-12
2. Where did Joseph end up after being bought by the Ishmaelites? In what ways would this be different and challenging, compared to living with his family?
3. Why might it be tempting for Joseph to think the Lord has abandoned him? What, instead, is the reality of the situation? In what tangible ways was it clear that the Lord was with Joseph?
4. What pressure does Joseph face in his work? How would differences in power and influence make it challenging for Joseph to reject Potipharʼs wife?
5. Joseph was approached “day after day” (v.10). Why can repeated pressure be challenging to face? What resources are needed to face such situations?
6. What reasons does Joseph give for refusing Potipharʼs wife? What does this reveal about his character and priorities? How might his God-centred perspective change the way we face pressure?
7. How does Joseph respond to Potipharʼs wife's final advance? What types of situations should we flee, rather than stay?
Read Genesis 39:13-23
8. What happens to Joseph because he chooses to do what is right? Why might we also experience a high cost for honouring God and his ways?
9. What repeated statements do you notice about God (vv.2-6 vs. vv.20-23)? Why is this repetition significant, given Josephʼs circumstances?
10. When have you known the Lordʼs kindness in the midst of difficult situations?
11. Are you ever tempted to think the Lordʼs presence will mean removal of difficult situations? How does Josephʼs experience inform our understanding?
12. How is the Lord still at work saving his people, even though Josephʼs own situation is getting worse?
13. How did the Lord also use unjust condemnation, for the saving of his people in Christ?
Apply Where might it be costly for you at the moment to follow Godʼs ways?
Pray Gracious Father, thank you for your continual presence with us in Christ through the Spirit. Please give us courage and conviction to honour you and live according to your ways, and even when it is costly. Amen.
On Your Frontline this Week Is your frontline changing at the moment? Here is a helpful article to ponder: https://licc.org.uk/resources/lessons-from-monty-don/
For Families • Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
Listen, Watch, and Read • Listen (sermon): “The Present God” by Glenn Nesbitt: https://stebbes.org/sermons/the-present-god/#sermons • Listen (sermon): “Temptation” by Tim Keller: https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/temptation-4/ • Listen (sermon): “Genesis 39” by Ian Hamilton: https://tinyurl.com/bdhxfd9k • Watch (sermon): “The Worker Who Refused to Sin” by Luke (All Souls): https://youtu.be/T8I4pyVdcjs?si=0x3OUTTdjlwGJ-y8&t=90 • Watch (workshop): “Joseph and Potipharʼs Wife” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/classroom/joseph/sessions/10 • Read (sermon transcript): “The Temptation of Joseph” by D. A. Carson: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/sermon/part-2-the-temptation-of-joseph-genesis-39/
Series Resources • Read: “Genesis” by Derek Kidner. • Read: “Genesis for Everyone: Part 2” by John Goldingay. • Read: “How to Read Genesis” by Tremper Longman III • Read: “Genesis: Story of God Bible Commentary” by Tremper Longman III • Watch: “Genesis 12-50” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-12-50 • Watch: “How should we read the Old Testament?” by Dan Paterson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJtba-JyPVg Available to borrow from the St Bartʼs Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library
