Joseph Resists Temptation Text Version
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.
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.
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.
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.
THINK!
Have you ever been tempted to do wrong?
Were you able to resist the temptation?
Why was Joseph put in jail?
Were the accusations against him true or false?
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).
LET'S PRAY
****************************************************
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
Joseph In Prison
Potiphar Trusts Joseph
Joseph
Joseph Colouring Book (Bible Heroes)
Joseph Wearing His Coat Of Many Colors
Joseph Coloring Pictures
Children's Coloring Books
Smart Coloring Books
Joseph the Dreamer
Joseph's Coat (Famous Bible Stories)
The Birth of a Nation: Abraham to Joseph (listen and read online)
Joseph (Family Bible Story)
Joseph's Amazing Coat (Scholastic)
Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors
Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors (Golden Books)
Joseph and the Dream (Patricia Pingry)
Joseph--God's Superhero (Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids)
God's Dreamer: The Story of Joseph (Bible Wise)
Joseph
Joseph
Joseph The Dreamer
More Books about Joseph
Children's Bible Stories
Children's Books
Bible Comes Alive Series CD Album 1 (Your Story Hour)
Joseph DVD (Bible Collection)
Episode 6 - Joseph the Dream Reader (Kids Bible)
Joseph & His Brothers VHS (Greatest Adventures)
Joseph and His Brothers (George W. Sarris)
Joseph & Coat (Greatest Heroes & Legends)
Joseph Y Su Abrigo De Muchos (EMI-CMG)
Prince of Egypt / Joseph King of Dreams (2 DVDs)
Bible Stories Volumes 1 & 2
Amazing Bible Stories
Animated Kids Bible: Genesis Special 6-DVD Pack (Kids Bible Comp)
Bible: In the Beginning (Fox Faith)
Children's DVDs
Joseph and His Coat Crafts
Joseph's Coat
Joseph Paper Craft
Pipe Cleaner Characters
Joseph Activities and Games
Bible Crafts & More For Ages 6-8
Bible Crafts On A Shoestring Budget-Grades 1 & 2
Big Book of Bible Crafts
Children's Crafts
- Tie-dye a T-shirt. This way each child can personally design their own shirt, and each time they wear it, they will be reminded that God is with them always, they are special to him, and that His love "covers" them through all situations and circumstances. (I work with a lot of children from dysfunctional families who go through horror stories on a regular basis. They need to know God is with them at all times.) Basically, all you need to do is have several different bowls of clothing dye, a T-shirt for each child, and rubber bands. Tightly wrap rubber bands intermittently around different parts of the white T-shirt. Dip only portions of the shirt into different colors. Let dry, remove bands, and praise the Lord you have a "shirt" of many colors.
- Should it be a smaller church or a lot of children, to defray the expense, you could purchase white handkerchiefs at a dollar store and do the same thing. This would give each child something to place under his pillow or carry with him as a reminder.
- With your picture of Joseph to color, you could have prepared strips of tissue paper to be glued on the picture or you could use construction paper as well. I have found tissue paper is sometimes easier to use, because it is not as stiff and "turns corners" better.
- Submitted by Karin Adams
Word Search
Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors with Crayons (Golden Books)
Joseph Is Sold By His Brothers (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required)
Fill In The Blanks
Joseph's Journal (Newsbox Series)
Joseph's Great Adventure:
Reusable Sticker Puzzle Book (Sticker Books)
Joseph Saves His Family (Pack of 10) (Pencil Fun Book)
Windows To The Past: The Life Of Joseph (Two 15-pc wooden Bible story puzzles)
Lot, Stock, and Pharaoh:
Quizzles About Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
(Quizzles - Quizzes & Puzzles for the Whole Family)
Puzzles
Children's Activity Books
In His Dreams
Children's Music
TEACHER'S RESOURCES
God's Secret Agent: Joseph (King of Clubs) (TNT Ministries)
Joseph: A Story
Joseph Is Sold As A Slave
Joseph - Parent Guide
Joseph Gameboard
Joseph by F B Meyer
Joseph - A Very Colorful Story
Children's Church
Bible Memory Games (Creative Bible Activities for Children)
Bulletin Board helps
Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul
Church Nanny Sos: Teaching Discipline Essentials for Preschool Ministry Volunteers
801 Questions Kids Ask About God (Focus on the Family)
52 Games That Teach The Bible
Hermie Scripture Memory
How to Lead a Child to Christ
How to Lead Your Child to Christ (Focus on the Family)
Lord Teach Me To Pray For Kids (Kay Arthur)
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours
Object Talks
Puppet Scripts
Reproducibles
Sunday School Attendance Boosters: 165 Fresh Ideas
Talking to God (Instant Bible Lessons)
Teaching Children Memory Verses Ages 4-5
Teaching Children To Pray Ages 4-5
What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know (by Elmer Towns)
More Sunday School Helps
BIBLE STORY ARCHIVE
http://childrenschapel.org/bibstory2.html
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