Lesson 2 Overcoming temptation continued;

C. V. 20

1. Prison-mild punishment considering he was a foreign slave who was accused of attempted rape of an Egyptian noble woman.

2. Lord’s favor upon him in prison, so he could accomplish his purposes.

II. Overcoming temptation

A. RM. 7:15ff. be aware of the “war” from within. Jesus Christ has won us victory at the cross over it and we are joined to Him in baptism.

B. Keep before yourself in meditation your end: you will stand before the Lord as a merciful savior and Just Judge.

C. Avoid “near” occasions of sin

D. Lean on the “power of the Spirit”: Accept and ask for more of the Spirit’s power to grow in holiness.

E. Find a good Christian friend to share your struggles and/or the sacrament of reconciliation.

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Lesson 3: Overcomers: Rising above life’s challenges-Overcoming being forgotten

I. Gen. 39:21-23; 40:5-8,20-23.

A. Joseph is in prison due to a false allegation against him.

1. 39:21-the Lord gave him favor with the prisoners and warden.

2. God gifted Joseph with dreams and leadership. He used both in prison.

3. Cupbearer: advisor to the ruler.

B. Vv. 21-23: Joseph remained faithful to the Lord: He had a covenant with the Lord through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (his father).

1. In the covenant, God’s character, attributes (the way he is) and his promises are all revealed to Israel.

2. Joseph, knowing the character of God, trusted in the Lord’s plans and purposes-even when he didn’t know the future.

C. Gen. 40:5-8, 20-23

1. Joseph showed great compassion to the distraught prisoners: cupbearer and chief baker. He was their attendant in prison.

2. He asked to be remembered by them when they came into Pharaoh’s court again. They didn’t.

3. Joseph was “forgotten” by them. He went from being favored son to Jacob, to slave to highest administrator in Potiphar’s house, to prison as a slave. He spend some 13 years in prison.

II. How do we rise above life’s challenges as did Joseph?

A. What is your world view? How do you see God?

1. How you see and understand Him will determine in times of challenge whether you will rise above life’s challenges or be overwhelmed by them.

2. Attitudes to overthrow in our heart:

a. “I’ve got to think of me first”

b. “DO whatever feels good”

c. “Whatever works for you”

d. “God doesn’t matter; you are on your own.”

3. How do we cultivate an attitude that says: “God made me for his purposes?”

a. Learn the truth of who God is in his word. Build your life on His word. His word reveals the character and promises of who he is.

b. Turn from the world to the word. See Romans 12:2 Get informed on God’s word that shapes your attitudes, values, behavior rather than the world’s current of opinions.

c. Concern yourself with God’s agenda. See Mt. 6:33.

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Reflection questions:

1. Are you aware of the Lord’s gifts to you? How are you using them for his glory and the service of others?

2. How well do you “know” the Lord: his character and promises? How grounded are you in His word?

3. What attitudes of the world shape how you see life? Where do you need to change to conform to God’s way of seeing?