Diligence

Our lesson today is on diligence.
What does the word diligence mean?

•  persevering determination to perform a task
• conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in  a  given situation

Do you think you are diligent when you do your school work?   Do you work harder when someone is watching you?
Let's read Genesis 39: 1 - 6

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

 ¹ Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar had bought him from the Ishmaelite traders who had taken him there. Potiphar was one of Pharaoh's officials. He was the captain of the palace guard.

 ² The Lord was with Joseph. He gave him great success. Joseph lived in Potiphar's house.

 ³ Joseph's master saw that the Lord was with him. He saw that the Lord gave Joseph success in everything he did. ⁴ So Potiphar was pleased with Joseph. He made him his attendant. He put Joseph in charge of his house. He told Joseph to take good care of everything he owned.

 ⁵ From that time on, the Lord blessed Potiphar's family and servants because of Joseph. He blessed everything Potiphar had in his house and field.

 ⁶ So Potiphar told Joseph to take good care of everything he owned. With Joseph in charge, he didn't have to worry about anything except the food he ate.

   Joseph was strong and handsome. 

Do you think Potiphar would have given Joseph all of that responsibility if he had not been diligent?

We need to be diligent in all areas of our life.  

What does diligence mean to you?

How does being diligent effect others?

How does being lazy effect our relationship with God?

I think a good lesson for us to remember this week should be:

Colossians 3: 23  

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

Let's make a list on ways that we can be diligent everyday.