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Genesis 39
1. The narrative now returns to Joseph. Where were Joseph and his brothers when the brothers sold him into slavery?
How long was the journey to Egypt?
What do you think the journey was like for Joseph?
Why does God take us on “journeys” from time to time?
2. Who was Potiphar?
What can you learn about him?
What adjustments do you think Joseph would have to make as a servant in Potiphar’s home?
3. What does verse 2 tell us?
How can the LORD be with Joseph when Joseph is being held as a slave?
What was the result of God’s being with Joseph?
How could a slave prosper?
What is the significance of Joseph’s living in his master’s house?
How easy is it for you to serve someone who does not accept Christ?
4. What does it mean to you for God to prosper someone? Please be specific.
Some people preach what is referred to as a “Prosperity Gospel”. What can you learn about this teaching?
What is your opinion concerning this belief?
5. Verse 3 tells us that Potiphar saw that the LORD was with Joseph. What does this mean to you?
Can you see that the LORD is with some people? Please explain.
How could a slave be given success in everything that he did?
Because of deceit and jealousy, Joseph has found himself in a foreign land where God’s name is not known, yet God is with Joseph. What does this tell you about God?
Can you feel God’s presence at your job?
6. What does it mean to you that Joseph found favor with Potiphar?
What was the result of this favor with Potiphar?
What do you think some of Joseph’s duties were?
How would serving in Potiphar’s household help prepare Joseph for his later role with Pharaoh?
Read Matthew 24:45-51. How do these verses relate to Joseph’s situation in Potiphar’s house?
What do these verses have to teach us?
7. What does verse 5 tell us?
How would you feel if you were Joseph and you saw God blessing the man who was holding you as a slave?
How would you react if God were using you at this time to bless an unbelieving coworker or boss?
Do you think there are unbelieving people in Coalgate who are being blessed because God’s people have prayed for His blessings? How does this make you feel?
Why might God do this?
Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What do these verses mean to you?
8. According to verse 6, what did Potiphar do concerning Joseph?
What does it mean to you that Potiphar did not concern himself with anything except for the food he ate?
Should Christians be this faithful? Are we? Please explain. How do you think Joseph has changed the most since the day he received the coat of many colors?
9. What else does verse 6 tell us about Joseph?
Why do you think God included this information?
What did Potiphar’s wife ask Joseph to do?
What does the Bible tell us about temptation?
Read I Corinthians 10:13. What does this verse mean to you?
What was Joseph’s means of escape from this temptation?
10. Joseph refuses. What does he tell Potiphar’s wife?
Looking at Joseph’s statement, what seems to be his most important concern?
The key statement can be found at the end of verse 9. What does Joseph say and what does it mean?
Why should we, when tempted to say or do something wrong, see our actions as a sin against God?
Because of the wife’s persistence, what action does Joseph take?
How would you compare Joseph’s actions with Judah’s actions? What effect do you think this had on Potiphar’s wife?
11. Verse 11 tells us that Joseph was left alone in the house. What does this tell us about Potiphar’s opinion of Joseph?
When Potiphar’s wife discovers Joseph alone, what does she do?
Why does Joseph run?
What does Potiphar’s wife decide to do after Joseph ran from her?
What do you think is her motivation?
Why do you think she told the household servants before telling her husband?
12. According to verse 15, what “evidence” did Potiphar’s wife have?
This is the second time Joseph’s “coat” or “robe” was used against him. Both times he was innocent. How would this make you feel?
What story does she tell Potiphar?
What reasons does Potiphar have to believe his wife? To believe Joseph?
13. What actions does Potiphar take against Joseph?
For the second time Joseph is wrongly thrown into captivity. Joseph remained faithful to God and to his master; yet, he finds himself in prison. What might be going through Joseph’s mind? How difficult might it be to see God’s hand in this?
14. Amazingly, what does verse 21 tell us about Joseph’s stay in prison?
What does it mean to you that God showed Joseph kindness and gave him favor?
At this point, there is only one constant in Joseph’s life. What is that constant?
How difficult might it be for you to see God’s favor when circumstances are not going your way?
What can this episode teach us about faith vs. circumstances?
15. Because of God’s favor, what happened to Joseph while he was in prison?
We read that the warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care. What does this mean to you?
How could Joseph be given success while in prison? What does this mean to you?
16. How have these events helped to prepare Joseph for what God has prepared for him?
What do you think about God’s teaching methods? Please explain.
What can we learn about God from this chapter?
What are the most important lessons God is teaching Joseph at this point in his life? Be specific.
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