How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon
background
As Joseph’s story continues, he arrives in Egypt as a slave and serves one of Pharaoh’s officers, Potiphar. Though he has lost his home and freedom, the Lord remains with him and makes his work prosper. Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce him, but Joseph refuses, knowing that giving in would not only betray his master but would betray his God. His faithfulness does not bring immediate relief. Instead, the false accusations from Potiphar’s wife land him in prison.
What shocks many about this story is that even evil intentions are subject to God’s sovereign direction. God’s providence does not mean He approves of sin or excuses those who commit it. Potiphar’s wife remains responsible for her deceit, even as God uses her actions to guide Joseph toward His purpose. Through injustice and suffering, God directs Joseph’s path, honors his faithfulness, and sustains him with His presence.
What shocks many about this story is that even evil intentions are subject to God’s sovereign direction. God’s providence does not mean He approves of sin or excuses those who commit it. Potiphar’s wife remains responsible for her deceit, even as God uses her actions to guide Joseph toward His purpose. Through injustice and suffering, God directs Joseph’s path, honors his faithfulness, and sustains him with His presence.
OPEN
1. When have you done the right thing but still faced an unfair outcome? What did you learn from that experience?
reflect
2. Read Genesis 39:1-10. What reasons does Joseph give for refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife? What do his actions reveal about his relationship with God?
3. Read Genesis 39:11-20. What is Potiphar’s wife doing in this story? What is God doing through it? How can God govern the actions of sinful people without condoning their sin or sharing in their guilt?
4. Read Genesis 39:20-23. How does God sustain Joseph throughout this chapter? What does Joseph’s imprisonment reveal about the relationship between faithfulness and favorable circumstances?
3. Read Genesis 39:11-20. What is Potiphar’s wife doing in this story? What is God doing through it? How can God govern the actions of sinful people without condoning their sin or sharing in their guilt?
4. Read Genesis 39:20-23. How does God sustain Joseph throughout this chapter? What does Joseph’s imprisonment reveal about the relationship between faithfulness and favorable circumstances?
apply
5. Joseph set his moral boundaries before they were tested. What specific moral convictions do you believe are important to establish in advance? How do these convictions help us resist temptations that promise immediate pleasure or advantage?
6. Are there particular situations that make you wonder whether God is absent? How might you bring those concerns to God and trust in His providence?
7. Where might you notice God’s guidance if you paid closer attention to everyday situations? How can our Home Group help one another remain faithful when obedience is costly or justice seems delayed?
6. Are there particular situations that make you wonder whether God is absent? How might you bring those concerns to God and trust in His providence?
7. Where might you notice God’s guidance if you paid closer attention to everyday situations? How can our Home Group help one another remain faithful when obedience is costly or justice seems delayed?
resources
Home Groups will resume August 23. If you are interested in joining a group, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.