Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, Genesis 37, Genesis 45:4-15
Memory Verse: “Don’t let evil
defeat you, but defeat evil with good.” Romans12:21 CEV
Offering: PC
Concepts:
Objectives:
1. Children will hear
the story of Joseph and his brothers.
2. The themes of
jealousy, forgiveness, and reconciliation will be explored.
3. Children will know
that God works through us to accomplish his good things.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1.
Greet the
children and introduce yourself. Wear
your nametag. Make sure the children are wearing nametags. If not, ask the
shepherd to supply a temporary badge. Remember you are interacting with a
different group of students each week that may not know you.
2.
This week we will
hear the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of
him and tried to hurt him but God protected Joseph for a special reason.
Scripture/Bible Story:
This story and
lesson is in three parts. Read (or you may prefer to summarize if in the last
weeks of the rotation) each part before the activity. Try to read with passion
and add interest. You may choose to dress up in costume.
Application:
Section 1. Read Genesis 37
Why do you think Joseph’s brothers were
angry? Would you be jealous if your father gave your brother/sister presents
and didn’t give you any? How do you think the brothers should have acted? Accept answers.
We are going to play a game about wanting
what your neighbor has. I have envelopes with picture of things you might like
(money, house, jewelry…). To Play: Have class sit in a circle, include
yourself and group leaders. Give the first child an envelope, he/she opens it
and shows the item to the group. The next child in the circle has the option of
taking the first child’s item or trying for a better one by picking an envelope
out of the pile. Keep going around the circle until everyone has a chance to
“steal” a prize or pick one from the pile. The catch is that there is one
GOTCHA card that gets nothing.
Allow the group to play again if desired.
Wrapping up: Where
you ever jealous of your classmates cards or mad that your prize was taken? Explain that jealousy can cause problems for
friends and families. God wants us to love one another and not to be jealous of
each other.
Section 2. Read or summarize Genesis 45:4-15
What did Joseph do when he saw his brothers
again? Joseph says that God sent him here, not his brothers. What does he mean?
How did he help his family? Would it be hard for you to be nice to someone who
had hurt you? Accept answers
Acting: Divide class into small groups with about 5 in each group. Try
to group children that are comfortable with each other. Have a shepherd or
workshop leader either with each group or as a roving helper. Have the group
make up and act out Joseph’s life within their small groups. Make it fun,
provide props (costumes, coins, etc). Allow the children to use the stage if
they want. If they want to show their skit to the other groups allow that but
do not pressure those that are reluctant.
Parts that can be included in the play (you can write this on a poster
board or white board as guides for the class).
Joseph takes care of sheep.
Joseph’s father gives him fancy coat.
Joseph tells about his dream of being king.
His brothers get mad and plot to hurt him.
His brothers rip his coat off and throw him into a well.
They sell him to travelers.
Joseph’s dad grieves.
Joseph becomes king.
A famine comes.
Joseph’s brothers come to the city and are reunited with Joseph.
Joseph says he will give the family food so they don’t starve.
Joseph reminds us that all that has happened was in God’s plan.
Section 3: Read or summarize Genesis 50:15-21
This is where Joseph’s brothers apologize for hurting Joseph and he
accepts their apology. Have children get a partner and practice making an
apology and accepting an apology.
Show them an example: Apology: “Claire, I’m sorry that I broke the
pencil I borrowed from you. I will get you another pencil tomorrow”
Accepting: “I accept your apology. I understand that things break
sometimes and you are usually careful so I’m not mad.”
Another option: Older children may prefer to write a short note to God
apologizing for something they have done wrong. They can share the notes or
keep them private.
Reflection Time:
At 10:35 a.m. ask the
shepherds to pass out the journal pages and pencils/markers. Suggestion: You may
wish to give the children a sticker or some memento to paste in their journal
as a reminder of the story or activity.
Prompts for journal writing: Draw a picture of what you think Joseph’s
fancy coat looked like.
At 10:45 ask the students to
close their journals and sit quietly for prayer.
Prayer: (suggestion) Dear God please allow us to be
forgiving like you when we are wrong just as Joseph was to his brothers. Allow
us to seek forgiveness when we have done wrong like Joseph’s brothers did. Amen
Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Put props in the bin on the stage.
Teacher preparation in advance:
1.
Read the
scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study
2.
Prepare
a closing prayer.
Supply List
·
Costumes, props such as money, the gotcha
game (picture, envelopes)
References
·
Curriculum writers notes provided by Lori
Houck January 16, 2004
·
Downright Upright and 50 Bible Games for
Elementary Kids, Abington, 2000.