SUCCESS AND INTEGRITY IN THE FIRE

MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on t he App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.

GROWTH QUESTION #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

GROWTH QUESTION #2

What did you learn from this week’s sermon?

GROWTH QUESTION #3

What was your most important accomplishment this week?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Genesis 39:1-10 (NLT) - 1 When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelite traders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. 5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, 7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

Opening QUESTION

What stands out to you the most about Joseph’s attitude and actions in this passage?

TRUTH #1

GOD’S PRESENCE BRINGS SUCCESS EVEN IN HARD PLACES

Genesis 39:2 (NLT) — The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.

  • Joseph’s success came from God’s presence, not his situation.
  • God’s hand on Joseph was visible even to unbelievers. (v. 3)
  • God promotes those who stay faithful in small places.

Luke 16:10 (NLT) — If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

  • God lifts up the humble and faithful at the right time.

1 Peter 5:6 (NLT) — So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

Where have you seen God help you or stay with you even when life wasn’t going the way you hoped?

TRUTH #2

INTEGRITY BUILDS TRUST AND INFLUENCE

Genesis 39:5-6 (NLT) — From the day Joseph was put in charge… the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake… So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned.

  • Joseph’s integrity created blessing and order around him.

Proverbs 10:9 (NLT) — People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

  • Trust is earned through consistent character.
  • A good name—built on integrity—is more valuable than success.

Proverbs 22:1 (NLT) — Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

  • God is ultimately the One who promotes and positions us.

Psalm 75:6–7 (NLT) — For no one on earth—from east or west, or even from the wilderness—should raise a defiant fist. It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

What is one small thing you can do this week to grow in integrity—at home, at work, or around others?

TRUTH #3

RESISTING TEMPTATION BEGINS WITH REALIZING WHAT’S AT STAKE

Genesis 39:9 (NLT) — “…It would be a great sin against God.”

  • Joseph recognized that sin is first and foremost against God.

Psalm 51:4 (NLT) — Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.

  • In this case, such a sin would have put Joseph’s esteemed position in jeopardy, but more importantly, it would have jeopardized the companionship of the Holy Spirit that He’d enjoyed for all these years of difficulty.
  • Wisely, Joseph didn’t just refuse, he avoided the temptation going forward and created boundaries.

2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT) — Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.

  • Temptation always returns, oftentimes daily, so we must consistently pray for God to strengthen us and help us to do the right thing.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) — The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand…

INTERACTIVE QUESTION

What boundary or step of wisdom could help you avoid a temptation or struggle you’ve faced before?

CLOSING QUESTION

Which part of Joseph’s example—faithfulness, integrity, or boundaries—that you want to put into practice this week?

GIVING

Giving is a primary way that we can experience true heart change.

Luke 11:41 (NLT)
So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over. 

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

PRAY

QUESTION #1

Who are you praying for to be saved?

QUESTION #2

Who can you invite to the next meeting?

QUESTION #3

What are your prayer requests?