FOR Come Follow Me, Primary and Home, Sunday School, family home evening.
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
Look-Ahead Decision Drama
ACTIVITY: Look-Ahead Decision Drama
Tell the youth that if they think ahead before temptation comes, they will know what to do. They will know how to stop and say “no” to temptation. Example: Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:8–10, 12).
ACTIVITY:
Look-Ahead Decision Drama
Tell the youth that if they think before temptation comes, they can make a better decision of how to STOP and “NO” to temptation. Example: Joseph ran from Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:8–10, 12). See Enrichment activities 1, 2, and 4 in the lesson manual for which the following activity illustrates.
To Play:
1. Divide the class/family into two teams.
2. A player from the first team draws a STOP or GO wordstrip to act out.
HERE’S HOW
• STOP. If the wordstrip reads “STOP,” pantomime or act out what you would do or say to STOP (run away from the temptation), but don’t say the keywords on the wordstrip. For example, if you say “smoking,” you don’t receive points.
• GO. If the wordstrip reads “GO,” pantomime or act out what you would do or say to GO (keep your heart pure), but don’t say the keywords on the wordstrip. For example, if you say “praying,” you don’t receive points.
SEE IF YOUR TEAM CAN GUESS the action; if correct, award 10 points.
The team with the most points wins.
TO KEEP THE GAME GOING FASTER give each team 30 seconds to act out and guess, otherwise, they have to try again (using the same wordstrip) after the other team takes a turn. The youth may need one minute instead of 30 seconds, and a little coaching to act out their situation/action. They can also call “time out! two times during the game to get 30 seconds from their team to coach them.
THOUGHT TREAT STOP and GO Cookies. Frost cookies red and green, and write STOP on the red and GO on the green with white frosting in a tube. Tell the youth that when we say “No” to temptation and say “Yes” to clean and pure actions, we can stay on the heaven-bound road and be happy (LOOKING AHEAD instead of back).
SCRIPTURE CARDS: Help youth Search and Ponder this scripture card by filling in the blanks. PRINT this 5 x 7 scripture card from the pdf included with the above activity. You can punch the two holes on the left and tie a ribbon to attach cards or use two metal rings to connect cards.
Psalm 24:3-5 “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
. . . DISCUSSION . . .
Help Youth Look Ahead to Avoid Temptation
Look for the Who, What, Why, When, Where, and How QUESTIONS for youth to ponder.
• Just like a MAGNET . . . The closer we get to Satan’s temptations, the easier he can draw us into his power. . . . Or, the more we make righteous choices, the more we are drawn to the Spirit.
How does this give us the power to control our thoughts and actions?
• Joseph was taken to Egypt and became a trusted servant to Potiphar who was captain of Pharaoh’s guard. (Genesis 39:3-6). Joseph loved and served God, so Potiphar’s fields began to grow and prosper, making Potiphar trust Joseph.
How can we become trustworthy like Joseph?
• Potiphar’s wife began to “cast her eyes upon Joseph” and when the other servants had gone she “caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out” (Gen. 39:7-12). Before leaving Joseph said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” After this Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison and eventually became Pharaoh’s servant.
How can we stay faithful to God even—if He allows us to be tempted or treated unfairly by others?
• Our God knows it can be difficult to resist temptation. We are taught in Alma that if we are humble and pray for strength continually we will not be “tempted above that which ye (we) can bear” (Alma 13:28).
What are some difficult temptations you face? Is it eating cookies before dinner, gossiping about someone, or doing something your parents have warned you not to do, etc.)
• You can DECIDE NOW what you will do before you are tempted to do things like smoke, gossip, use alcohol, tell un-clean jokes, listen to suggestive music, watch un-pure flicks/movies or pornography, or tell someone an untruth.
What other things can you decide now TO NOT DO if the temptation comes?
• “If in doubt, do without.” Say “no.” EVIL spelled backwards is LIVE. Living a happy life can come from making good choices. As you are LOOKING AHEAD constantly you will be prepared to turn the word EVIL around to LIVE and resist the temptation.
How does this work? You can: Number 1. Do not put yourself in a tempting situation. Number 2. Look ahead and if you see a temptation coming leave immediately. The longer you linger the easier it will be to fall into Satan’s trap (remember the MAGNET idea above).
More Discussion Questions & Ideas
• Who will help me resist evil? (God, good friends, and family).
• Why should I resist temptation? (desire for peace and happiness).
• When should I say “no” (when the thought comes)?
• Where do I go for inspiration (church, scriptures, uplifting books, and parents)?
Continued Discussions.
• Talk about how virtuous thoughts can help you escape temptations.
• Share blessings that come as you flee from temptation.
BIBLE SCRIPTURES TO UNDERLINE:
• James 1:12
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:13
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
• Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.”
• Proverbs 1:10
“If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
• Articles of Faith 1:13
“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
• D&C 121:34-36
“Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God . . . The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”
• Ether 12:27
“If they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”
See Lessons from the Old Testament: Fleeing Temptation (HERE)
MORE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON ACTIVITIES:
NEXT LESSON
Click HERE to find the next Old Testament Lesson 17 activity – Joseph Forgives His Brothers.
GO BACK
Click HERE to find the previous Old Testament Lesson 15 activity – Joseph Was Sold into Egypt.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click HERE for Old Testament lessons 1-47.
Lesson 16
Joseph in Egypt
Purpose
To encourage the children to keep themselves pure by staying away from temptation and living close to the Lord.
Preparation
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Prayerfully study:
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Genesis 39—Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, serves Potiphar, is falsely accused, and is cast into prison. (Note: The word wotteth in Genesis 39:8 was translated knoweth by the Prophet Joseph Smith.)
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Genesis 40—Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker.
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Genesis 41—Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, prepares for famine, and rules in Egypt. (Note: The word kine in Pharaoh’s description of his dream refers to cows or cattle.)
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Additional reading: Psalm 24:3–5—Those with clean hands and pure hearts will stand in the Lord’s holy place.
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Study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture accounts (see “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii). Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will best help the children achieve the purpose of the lesson.
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Materials needed:
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A Bible for each child.
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Two magnets, one labeled “God” and the other labeled “Satan,” and a nail, pin, or paper clip. Or for the alternate attention activity draw a simple figure of a person on a piece of paper.
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Pictures 6-18, Joseph Resists Potiphar’s Wife (Gospel Art Picture Kit 110; 62548), and 6-19, Joseph and the Butler and Baker.
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Suggested Lesson Development
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Attention Activity
Tell the class that the nail, pin, or paper clip represents us. Place it between the two magnets on a flat surface so it can be attracted by one or the other. Show that the further away from “Satan” we are, the less power he has to tempt us. As you move the metal object toward the magnet representing God, explain that the closer we live to the Lord, the more we are influenced by his goodness. When we seek after good, we are less influenced by that which is evil.
Alternate Attention Activity
Ask the children in your class to be the “winds of temptation.” Hold the sheet of paper with the drawing on it by one corner and move it near the children while they blow toward the paper. Show that as you move the paper farther away from bad influences, it is less affected by them. If we want to remain steadfast and immovable in the face of evil, we should stay away from temptation.
Scripture Accounts
Using the pictures at appropriate times, teach the accounts of what happened to Joseph while he was in Egypt from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture accounts, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) You might want to show portions of the video Joseph and His Brothers (53152) during the lesson.
Discussion and Application Questions
Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.
Joseph Remains Pure
While Joseph serves in Potiphar’s household, he stays committed to personal purity and keeping God’s commandments.
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How was Joseph treated while he was Potiphar’s servant? (Genesis 39:3–6.) Why do you think Potiphar trusted Joseph and gave him such responsibility? How can we earn other people’s trust?
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When Potiphar’s wife tried to tempt Joseph to do wrong, how did he keep himself pure? (Genesis 39:8–10, 12.) Note that in verse 8 Joseph Smith translated wotteth as knoweth (see footnote b). Explain that hearkened not means that he didn’t listen or follow. Fled means that he ran away. What can we do when we are tempted to do wrong? (See enrichment activity 1.)
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Even though Joseph was falsely accused and cast into prison, how was he blessed by the Lord? (Genesis 39:21–23.) When you are treated unfairly or unjustly punished, what can you do to keep the Spirit of the Lord?
Joseph Is Guided by the Power of the Lord
Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker while he is in prison and later Pharaoh’s dream about the need to prepare for famine.
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How was Joseph able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker? (Genesis 40:8.) After Joseph interpreted these dreams, what favor did he ask in return? (Genesis 40:14–15.) What did the chief butler forget? (Genesis 40:23.) How can we show appreciation to those who help us?
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Why did the chief butler finally remember Joseph? (Genesis 41:1, 8–9.) How much time had passed? What did the chief butler tell Pharaoh? (Genesis 41:9–13.)
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What did Joseph tell Pharaoh about his ability to interpret dreams? (Genesis 41:16.) What does this indicate about Joseph’s character? To whom should we give credit for our talents, blessings, and spiritual gifts?
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How did Joseph explain Pharaoh’s dreams? (Genesis 41:2–7, 26–31; note: kine means cows [see LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 721].) What solution did Joseph give to help Egypt survive the famine? (Genesis 41:33–36.) What do our Church leaders today teach us about food storage? Why is this a good idea?
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Why did Pharaoh choose Joseph to be in charge of gathering and distributing food? (Genesis 41:38–39.) What quality in your character might you use to bless the lives of others? (Help the children recognize areas of personal strength.)
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What privilege and power was Joseph given in Egypt? (Genesis 41:41–43.) What did Joseph do during the seven years of plenty? (Genesis 41:48–49.)
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When the famine arrived as foretold, who besides the Egyptians came to Joseph’s storehouses to buy food? (Genesis 41:56–57.) Explain that in the next lesson the children will learn about Joseph’s family, who came from Canaan to Egypt to buy food during the famine.
The above Look-Ahead Decision Drama (shown right) illustrates the following Enrichment Activities #1, 2, and 4 that follow.
Enrichment Activities
You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
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Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know that it is harder to avoid temptation when we allow ourselves to get close to it. Discuss with the children how they could distance themselves from temptation in the following situations:
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A plate of your favorite dessert is on the table, ready to be taken to a sick neighbor.
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Your parents have warned you not to swim without someone watching. You are alone by the water on a very hot day; perhaps you could just wade up to your knees …
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Some of your friends are trying to convince you to try smoking a cigarette. Whenever you are with them, they dare you to take just one puff.
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You are troubled by bad thoughts when you read a certain book.
You could make a list on the chalkboard of other temptations, such as gossiping, looking at vulgar magazines, using bad language, dressing immodestly, watching inappropriate movies or television shows, telling unclean jokes or stories, listening to improper song lyrics, or using drugs. Discuss strategies for resisting evil, such as removing ourselves from the situation and replacing the temptation with something wholesome. Erase each harmful influence from the chalkboard as it is discussed.
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Explain that deciding to stay clean and pure before temptation comes can be a protection. President Spencer W. Kimball taught:
“Make certain decisions only once. … We can push some things away from us once and have done with them … without having to brood and redecide a hundred times what it is we will do and what we will not do” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, pp. 69–70; or Ensign, May 1976, p. 46).
Discuss with the children some decisions they can make right now, such as never to smoke; not look at bad books, magazines, television shows, or videos; pray each morning and evening; read the scriptures daily; and stay morally clean. Challenge each child to write down one or more decisions he or she will make now.
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Explain that instead of concentrating on evils to avoid, we should fill our lives with wholesome influences. Recite the thirteenth article of faith with your class and discuss with the children what good things they can seek after in their lives.
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Challenge the children to commit to being clean and pure. Ask a child to read Psalm 24:3–5. Let the children discuss how this description fits Joseph (“clean hands and a pure heart”—fled temptation; “hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity”—gave credit to God for his abilities). Help your class members understand how this scripture could apply to them.
Give the children each a pencil and paper and ask them to complete the sentence: “I will keep my mind and heart pure by .” They might write the following ideas: praying, reading the scriptures, attending church, being honest, attending only uplifting movies, reading good books, and following Joseph’s example of avoiding evil. Encourage the children to take their papers home and discuss what they have written with their families.
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Sing “I Will Be Valiant” (Children’s Songbook, p. 162) with the children. Divide your class into two groups, “truth” and “right.” When you sing the line “I’ll stand for truth,” have that group stand up and remain standing. Do the same thing for the line “I’ll stand for right.”
Conclusion
Testimony
Testify to your class members that when they decide in advance to keep themselves pure, the Lord will give them greater strength to resist evil. Encourage them to stay as far away from temptation as possible.
Suggested Family Sharing
Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”
Suggested Home Reading
Suggest that the children study Genesis 39 at home as a review of this lesson.
