The Children's Chapel Award-winning site, featuring Bible stories from a variety of authors, excellent Christian resources for children, and over 140 links to other Christian and family-friendly sites for kids. ~ A Ministry of The Missing Link, Inc. ~ Joseph Part 2: Joseph Resists Temptation by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards "WOWEE! THAT'S A HOME RUN!" Justin yelled as he watched the softball sail into the air, over the backyard fence and into the woods. Tyler dropped the bat and started running. He easily made it to first base and then second. Picking up speed, he whirled around third base and slid onto home plate. "I'm safe! I'm safe!" he yelled at the top of his voice. His friends gathered around and gave him friendly slaps on the back as they agreed. [Picture of backyard ball] After taking a moment to celebrate the big home run, one of them realized they had a problem on their hands. "How are we going to finish the game?" "And How are we going to get the ball back?" they questioned one another. "There is only one way," Justin impatiently explained as he looked Tyler in the eye. "YOU are going to have to climb over the fence and go into the woods to find it." Tyler was beginning to worry. He knew he wasn't allowed to climb the fence, and he was sure that Justin knew that too, but he was afraid that Justin wouldn't be his friend if he refused. Tyler just stood there for a moment, trying to decide what to do. "What's the matter, Tyler?" Justin sneered. "Are you a fraidy-cat? Or maybe you're just a baby and too little to be playing with us older kids!" "NO! I'm NOT afraid, and I'm NOT too little!" Tyler angrily replied. "Then climb over the fence and prove it!" Justin retorted. "You know we are not allowed to go over the fence and into the woods. I WON'T do it! I don't want to get in trouble! I don't want to be on restriction! If YOU want to get in trouble, YOU climb the fence and go into the woods to get the ball!" Tyler shot back. With the taunting of the other boys ringing in his ears and dragging his bat behind him, Tyler slowly walked away. He knew he was doing the right thing, and although it was difficult at the moment, he knew he could hold his head high later when retelling the story of his big home run. [graphic separator] Joseph was living a happy and prosperous life, even though he was far away from his home and was a slave in Egypt. Joseph had proven himself to be a brilliant and responsible young man, so much so that his master, Potiphar, chose him to be in charge of all his household, land, and everything he owned. Potiphar didn't even know what all he owned, because he trusted Joseph to keep a record and take care of it all. "Joseph, I will be going away, and you will be in charge while I'm gone," Potiphar announced one morning. Joseph wasn't worried one little bit, because he knew he could do a good job for his master. With a friendly hug and farewell, Potiphar climbed into his chariot and was soon down the road and out of sight. All was going well until one day Joseph had some work to do in the house for Potiphar's wife. Mrs. Potiphar liked Joseph very much and was glad she finally had a chance to be alone with him. The problem was that Mrs. Potiphar was not a godly woman and wanted Joseph to do things that he knew were sinful. "Please, Joseph?" she begged. "It'll be all right. I promise. Potiphar is gone and he'll never know." That put Joseph in quite a predicament. He wanted to please Mrs. Potiphar because she was his master's wife, but he also knew he had to be honorable in the sight of God. Joseph tried to reason with Mrs. Potiphar and told her he just couldn't do what she was asking. Finally, he had all he could take of her whining and begging. Without another word he ran out the door. Mrs. Potiphar ran after him, trying to stop him. She grabbed his shoulder, but he kept running, and the coat he was wearing slipped off into her hand. Mrs. Potiphar became very angry with Joseph and devised an evil plan to get even. [graphic separator] It wasn't long until the sound of galloping horses and screeching chariot wheels could be heard in the distance. Joseph cleaned himself up and prepared to meet his master. "Well, well Joseph! It is good to see you again!" Potiphar exclaimed. "Did all go well during my absence?" "YES, SIR! All that you asked me to do, I have done." Joseph was happy to report. "I'm glad to hear that," Potiphar replied. "I knew I could trust you." Upon entering the house, Potiphar heard a completely different story from his wife. "Why did you even bring that Joseph here?" she cried. "He has been nothing but trouble the whole time you were gone," she lied. "He even refused to help and do things I asked him to do!" she whined. "He is trying to take advantage of all the good things we have, but he wouldn't even perform a simple task that I wanted him to do!" she loudly complained. Potiphar wasn't quite sure what to make out of it all. Joseph had always been obedient and trustworthy, and he really didn't believe such a change could happen so quickly. However, Mrs. Potiphar was his wife, and Joseph was only a slave. He couldn't believe both stories, so in order to make his wife happy and bring peace to the household, Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. Even though he was accused unjustly and everything Mrs. Potiphar said about him was just lies, Joseph didn't complain. He worshipped God and knew that God would take care of him, even in prison. . . And GOD DID! The keeper of the prison liked Joseph very much and put him in charge of all the prisoners. Just like in Potiphar's house, God made Joseph prosperous, and the jail keeper was also prosperous because God blessed Joseph. [graphic separator] THINK! 1. Have you ever been tempted to do wrong? 2. Were you able to resist the temptation? 3. Why was Joseph put in jail? 4. Were the accusations against him true or false? 5. Did Joseph turn away from God because things were not going right? REMEMBER: God ALWAYS knows and cares about what is happening to you. Even when bad things happen, God can make something good out of the situation. A VERSE TO LEARN "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..." (Romans 8:28a). PRACTICAL APPLICATION Do you have a friend or sibling who always wants you to do or dares you to do things that you know are wrong? Have you given in to temptation and done what they asked? If that ever happens to you, all you need to do is stop and ask God to forgive you. Have you ever been blamed and punished for something that you didn’t do? That’s exactly what happened to Joseph but he decided in his heart to accept God’s courage to not let it stop him from continuing to serve God. What will you do next time when you are tempted to do wrong? What did Joseph do? [After discussion:] Yes, Joseph did the right thing by running away from temptation. God wants us to flee from temptation like Joseph did. The Bible tells us in James 4:7 to submit ourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us. God wants us to become strong and courageous and to always do the right thing, no matter what the consequences are because, as his Word says, He will work everything out for our good if we choose to love Him and not turn our back on Him. Let us take a moment to ask for God’s forgiveness, help and courage. LET'S PRAY Dog and boy praying **************************************************** Dear God, thank You for being with us in every situation. Help us to remember that You love us and You know exactly what is happening all the time. Give us the courage to do the right thing even when it is difficult and others are against us. In Jesus' Name. Amen. **************************************************** CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE? Genesis 39:1-23 Pictures Courtesy of Free Bible Images ----------------------------------------------------------------- BIBLE STORY ARCHIVE http://childrenschapel.org/bibstory2.html REPORT A BROKEN LINK The Children's Chapel award-winning site, featuring Bible stories from a variety of authors, excellent Christian resources for children, and over 140 links to other Christian and family-friendly sites for kids ----------------------------------------------------------------- Free Bible Stories! To receive a new Bible story each week, enter your e-mail address under "Subscribe..." at tscpulpitseries.cis.to/mailman/listinfo/stories You will be sent a message requesting confirmation of your subscription request. IMPORTANT! 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