Compromised or Transformed

Genesis 38-39

Introduction

• John 17:14-16

Compromise... (Judah)

1. Went willingly

• Genesis 38:1-2

• Genesis 38:12

• James 1:13-15

• 1 Corinthians 15:33

2. Unrepentant

• Genesis 38:2

• 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

• Genesis 38:7

• Genesis 38:10

• Genesis 38:11

• Genesis 38:12

• Genesis 38:26

• Hebrews 12:6

• Genesis 38:29

• Matthew 1:3

• Genesis 39:1

• Genesis 39:2-5

Transformed... (Joseph)

1. Faithful in temptation.

• Genesis 39:7-12

• 2 Timothy 2:22

2. Faithful in trials.

• Genesis 39:13-16

• Genesis 39:19

• Romans 8:28

• Genesis 39:21-23

• 1 Peter 1:6-8

Summary (Romans 12:1-2)

Compromised...(Judah) Chapter 38

1.  Went willingly  v.1-2 , 12

2.  Unrepentant v. 2-5 and 13-25

Transformed...(Joseph) Chapter 39

1.  Faithful in temptation v.7-12

2.  Faithful in trials v.13-23  

Opener:

Share a time when it was hard to do the right thing because everyone around you was doing something different?

Sermon Questions:

Part 1: A Compromised Life (Judah)

Read: Genesis 38:1–2, 12

Point 1: Judah went willingly into a worldly environment.

• He left his family and settled among the Canaanites.

• He married a Canaanite woman, which reflected spiritual compromise.

Extra Scriptures to Read:

James 1:13–15

1 Corinthians 15:33

Discussion:

Why do you think Judah left his brothers to live among the Canaanites?

Can you think of examples today where Christians compromise by settling into worldly patterns?

Point 2: Judah was unrepentant until confronted.

Read: Genesis 38:26

• God disciplined Judah through painful loss, but he eventually acknowledged his sin with Tamar.

Extra Scriptures to Read:

2 Corinthians 6:14–16

Hebrews 12:6

Matthew 1:3

Gospel Connection: Even in Judah’s mess, God was working out His salvation plan. Jesus came from this broken line—God uses imperfect people for His perfect purposes.

Discussion:

How does compromise begin in subtle ways in our lives?

What does true repentance look like?

Part 2: A Transformed Life (Joseph)

Read: Genesis 39:7–12

Point 1: Joseph was faithful in temptation.

• Joseph refused Potiphar’s wife because he feared God.

Extra Scriptures to Read:

2 Timothy 2:20–22

Discussion:

What made Joseph strong in the face of temptation?

What helps us today to resist temptation?

Point 2: Joseph was faithful in trials.

Read: Genesis 39:19–23

• Though falsely accused and imprisoned, Joseph continued to serve faithfully.

Extra Scriptures to Read:

Romans 8:28

1 Peter 1:6–8

Discussion:

How does Joseph’s story show that God is still with us in hard times?

What can we learn about integrity when no one is watching?

Application

Read: Romans 12:1–2

Discussion:

Where are we tempted to compromise like Judah?

Where is God calling us to live faithfully like Joseph?

Gospel Connection:

God doesn’t use perfect people; He transforms imperfect ones. Through Christ, we can live transformed lives that reflect Him—even in a world of compromise.