Congregation Bible Study for the week of September 14-20, 2026

Chapter 8: He Resisted Temptation

1. What evidence is there that the account of Joseph’s life in Egypt is accurate? (g 11/10 p. 15 par. 2).

Comment 1: The cited source highlights the titles and terminology. These details fit the Egyptian setting of Joseph’s account and support its accuracy.

Comment 2: The account does not present Egypt in an inaccurate or general way. The terminology it uses provides evidence that it refers to real events.

Comment 3: The titles mentioned in the account help place Joseph in the Egyptian setting. They are details that support the reliability of the Bible account.

Comment 4: The accuracy of the account can be seen even in details such as the titles and expressions used. Jehovah saw to it that a trustworthy record was preserved.

Comment 5: This evidence strengthens our confidence in the Bible. The account of Joseph is not just a story; it is presented with details characteristic of Egypt.

2. How did Joseph know that adultery is “such a great badness” to God? (Gen. 39:9; w22.08 p. 26 par. 2).

Genesis 39:9 — There is no one greater in this house than I am, and he has not withheld from me anything at all except you, because you are his wife. So how could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?”

Comment 1: Joseph understood that giving in to Potiphar’s wife would not only be disloyal to his master. Above all, it would be a sin against Jehovah.

Comment 2: Although the Mosaic Law had not yet been written, Joseph knew Jehovah well enough to understand his view of sexual immorality.

Comment 3: Joseph surely knew that Jehovah created marriage for one man and one woman. That teaching helped him clearly distinguish between right and wrong.

Comment 4: He may also have learned from the way Jehovah protected the honor of Sarah and Rebekah. Those events revealed how highly Jehovah values marital faithfulness.

Comment 5: Joseph loved Jehovah and his righteous standards as well. So he was determined to do what was right, even though no one from his family was nearby.

3. Why did Jehovah allow Joseph to become prime minister of Egypt? (w96 5/1 p. 11 par. 4).

Comment 1: Jehovah allowed Joseph to become prime minister in order to use him as an instrument to preserve Abraham’s descendants.

Comment 2: By giving Joseph authority in Egypt, Jehovah made it possible for food to be stored up before the years of famine.

Comment 3: Joseph did not attain that position merely to receive honor. Jehovah was carrying out his purposes through what Joseph did.

Comment 4: As a result, lives were saved, including Jacob, his family, and the future nation of Israel. In this way Jehovah protected the line of the promise.

Comment 5: Joseph’s experience shows that Jehovah can direct matters to accomplish his purpose, even after very painful circumstances.

4. How do we know that Joseph’s faith never weakened, even when he was 110 years old? (Gen. 50:25, 26; w07 6/1 pp. 28 pars. 10, 11).

Genesis 50:25-26 — So Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying: “God will without fail turn his attention to you. You must take my bones up out of here.” And Joseph died at the age of 110, and they had him embalmed, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.

Comment 1: Near the end of his life, Joseph asked that his bones be taken out of Egypt. He was convinced that Jehovah would deliver his people.

Comment 2: Joseph was 110 years old, but his hope remained firm. His instructions concerning his bones were a simple yet powerful act of faith.

Comment 3: Those instructions gave the Israelites hope during the long years of slavery. They reminded them that their deliverance would certainly come.

Comment 4: Joseph’s faith did not depend on his seeing the deliverance personally. He trusted in Jehovah’s promise until the end of his life.

Comment 5: Older brothers and sisters can imitate Joseph by maintaining strong faith. Their good example can strengthen many, even after their death.

What does the way Joseph treated his brothers teach us about how we should react when a brother treats us badly? (Gen. 45:4, 5; 50:19-21).

Genesis 45:4-5 — So Joseph said to his brothers: “Come close to me, please.” With that they came close to him. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now do not be upset and do not reproach one another because you sold me here; because God has sent me ahead of you for the preservation of life.

Comment 1: Joseph honestly acknowledged the harm his brothers had done to him, but he did not focus on getting revenge. He saw how God had caused matters to result in saving lives.

Genesis 50:19-21 — Joseph said to them: “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Although you meant to harm me, God intended it to turn out well and to preserve many people alive, as he is doing today. So now do not be afraid. I will keep supplying you and your little children with food.” Thus he comforted them and spoke reassuringly to them.

Comment 2: Joseph did not put himself in God’s place to judge his brothers. Rather, he comforted them and assured them that he would continue caring for them.

Comment 3: If a brother treats us badly, Joseph’s example teaches us not to return evil for evil or nourish the desire to get even.

Comment 4: Joseph was kind when he had the power to act differently. We too can choose words that comfort and reassure.

Comment 5: Forgiving does not mean denying that harm was done. Joseph remembered what had happened, but he left the matter in Jehovah’s hands and sought the good of his family.

… when we are at school?

Comment 1: Joseph was loyal to Jehovah when he was far from home. At school, we can show the same loyalty even when no one from our family sees us.

Comment 2: Some classmates may pressure us to do something wrong. Joseph’s example encourages us to say no firmly.

Comment 3: Joseph did not let his circumstances determine his conduct. Neither should we let the school environment weaken our standards.

Comment 4: Remembering that Jehovah is with his servants can give us courage. This helps us do what is right even when it is difficult or makes us different.

Comment 5: The young sister in the picture keeps walking confidently. Her example reminds us that we can courageously reject bad influences.

… when we are traveling?

Comment 1: Joseph remained loyal when he was far from his family. Traveling does not change Jehovah’s righteous standards either.

Comment 2: When we travel, we may have more freedom and less supervision. Joseph teaches us that our loyalty should come from love for Jehovah.

Comment 3: Joseph rejected a temptation even though Potiphar’s wife could have made his life difficult. We can do what is right even if it costs us something.

Comment 4: The brother in the picture is traveling for business and finds himself in a situation that could test his faithfulness. He needs to remain alert and determined.

Comment 5: Preparing before traveling can help us remain loyal. We can decide in advance that we will avoid situations that could endanger our clean conduct.

… when we use a phone or another electronic device?

Comment 1: Joseph repeatedly refused to do what was wrong. When using an electronic device, we too need to decisively reject immoral content.

Comment 2: Even if no one sees us when we use our phone, Jehovah sees what we do. Remembering this strengthens our desire to remain clean.

Comment 3: Joseph did not want to expose himself to a dangerous situation. We can imitate him by avoiding websites, conversations, or images that awaken wrong desires.

Comment 4: Potiphar’s wife kept insisting day after day. Similarly, temptations may appear again and again on the screen; so we need to act quickly.

Comment 5: Joseph ran away when necessary. Sometimes the best decision is to close an app, put down the phone, or ask for help without delay.

How can you imitate Joseph’s example of courage?

Comment 1: We can imitate Joseph by putting loyalty to Jehovah above comfort, opportunities, or fear of the consequences.

Comment 2: Joseph showed courage by rejecting an immoral proposal. We too need to say no firmly when we are pressured to do what is wrong.

Comment 3: In prison, Joseph continued working as well as he could. We can imitate his courage by not giving in to despair during a trial.

Comment 4: Joseph trusted in Jehovah during many years of difficulties. We show courage by continuing to trust in God even when the solution does not come right away.

Comment 5: He was also courageous in treating his brothers kindly. Forgiving and doing good when we have been hurt requires real courage.

What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

Comment 1: This account teaches that Jehovah was with Joseph in very different circumstances—as a slave, as a prisoner, and as a ruler.

Comment 2: Jehovah blessed Joseph’s efforts when he remained faithful. This assures us that Jehovah values the loyalty of his servants.

Comment 3: Jehovah can cause painful situations to contribute to the accomplishment of his purpose. He did so through Joseph to save lives.

Comment 4: Jehovah is a God who protects morality and marriage. Joseph understood his view and wanted to respect his standards.

Comment 5: Jehovah never abandoned Joseph. The account encourages us to trust that he can sustain us as we endure courageously.

How does this account relate to Jehovah’s purpose and the main theme of the Bible?

Comment 1: Jehovah used Joseph to preserve Abraham’s descendants during a time of famine. Thus he protected the line connected with his promise.

Comment 2: Jacob’s family came to Egypt and remained alive. From that family the nation of Israel would come.

Comment 3: Joseph’s prophetic dreams were fulfilled when his brothers bowed down to him. This confirms that Jehovah fulfills what he purposes.

Comment 4: The account shows that Jehovah can direct events to bring his purposes to completion, even when his servants suffer injustices.

Comment 5: The preservation of Abraham’s descendants was essential to the fulfillment of Jehovah’s purpose and the main theme of the Bible.

What would I like to ask Joseph when he is resurrected?

Comment 1: We could ask him how he managed to maintain his trust in Jehovah during so many years of slavery and imprisonment.

Comment 2: We might like to know what helped him remain so firm when Potiphar’s wife kept insisting day after day.

Comment 3: We could ask him how he felt when he saw that his brothers had changed and had the opportunity to help them.

Comment 4: It would be interesting to ask him how he strengthened his faith while waiting for Jehovah to fulfill his promises regarding his family.

Comment 5: We could also ask him what he thought when he saw that Jehovah used his difficult experiences to save so many people.