JOSEPH FAMILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES 3 RD 4 TH GRADE MANUAL LESSONS BY ELAINE DALTON EDITED BY DAVID DALTON & JAMES DALTON

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2 JOSEPH FAMILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES 3 RD 4 TH GRADE MANUAL LESSONS BY ELAINE DALTON EDITED BY DAVID DALTON & JAMES DALTON

3 Family Bible Study Series is a curriculum that is designed to return the present day Vacation Bible School to deeper Bible study. Many Vacation Bible Schools today have digressed from focusing on Bible study. Bible study had its beginning at the directive of God. God and Moses, at God s commands, wrote scripture for Israel to have and they began studying and memorizing it at the directive of God (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). In the New Testament, the Christian is directed to Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Family Bible Study Series is designed as a five lesson series to involve the entire family in the study of the Bible. The publishers of the Family Bible Study Series (Family Bible Publications) encourage elders and those who are responsible for curriculum to return the focus of classes to Bible study and to return the focus of devotional periods to worshiping God. May all be done decently and in order and may the glory be given to God. Questions concerning Family Bible Publications and its materials may be sent to: David Dalton; 1625 Bilbrey Park Drive; Cookeville, TN or FamilyBiblePublications@gmail.com. ALL LESSONS FAMILY BIBLE PUBLICATIONS, 2012 This publication may not be copied or reproduced in any form whatsoever or stored in a retrieval system of any type without the express, written permission of Family Bible Publications. Front cover pictures Mission 316 and licensed for use in this publication. Cover designed by and other artwork created by Joshua Knight.

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS JOSEPH, A YOUNG MAN... 1 JOSEPH, A BROTHER... 7 JOSEPH, A HOUSEHOLD SERVANT JOSEPH, A PRISONER AND A GOVERNOR JOSEPH, A LEADER OF ALL EGYPT ABOUT THE AUTHOR... 41

5 JOSEPH, A LEADER OF ALL EGYPT Genesis 41:46 46:34 List of Supplies 1. Visual aid packet (Pictures: J5-1 through J5-14) 2. Student packet for each student (SP-J-E-5-a through SP-J-E- 5-c) 3. Information card for each new student 4. Attendance charts for students with purchased stickers (SP-Jattendance chart a and b) 5. Bible map with a distance scale and a ruler (optional) 6. Classroom Bibles for students to use 7. Pencils for each student 8. Glue 9. 3 X 5 cards Before Class, You Should Prepare 1. Write the scripture references from the application lesson on 3 X 5 cards (Ephesians 4:32; Luke 17:4; Luke 2:51-52; Genesis 41:51-52; and Isaiah 25:1). 2. Cut out the pictures for the attendance charts. 3. Write out the review questions from this lesson on 3 X 5 cards. 4. Write out Romans 8:31 on strips of colored paper. Cut the strips into sections with a few words on each. Prepare several sets on different colors of paper. Welcome Time Warmly welcome each child as they arrive. Students can review the memory verse together using the phrase strips for Acts 7:9-10 and for Romans 8:31. Talk about the importance of God s word and the importance of forgiveness. Let the students mark their attendance chart by gluing in the appropriate picture for lesson 5 and adding the stickers. Provide a 3 X 5 card to each student and ask them to list three characteristics which show that one is growing up on their card. Ask students to tell about a time when their actions showed others that they were growing up (maturing). If time permits, review previous lessons with 31

6 questions written on 3 x 5 cards for the students to pick and answer. Prayer Lead the class in prayer thanking God for providing His help to us during difficult times and asking God for strength to be forgiving to others and to grow spiritually. Preparation for the Bible Lesson Before beginning the lesson, help the students find the book of Genesis and the passage for the story. Examples of basic review questions: 1. Who has been the main character in our lessons? (Joseph) 2. Whose dreams did Joseph tell the meaning of? The cup bearer, the baker, and Pharaoh) 3. Who took care of Joseph when he was in prison? (God) 4. Was Joseph faithful to God even when he was in prison? (Yes) Since this passage is long, the class will not read the full passage aloud in class. Stress that the lesson is from God s word and is true. Some portions of the scripture text will be read by the students in the class when noted in the lesson below. These readings can be done by the class in unison, or the students can take turns reading a verse until the passage is completed. Bible Lesson Using the visual aid pictures (J5-1 through J5-14), share the lesson with the students using your own words to tell the lesson. The following text is an example: In our Bible class we have been learning about Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He served under Potiphar in Egypt and then was sent to jail for something he did not do. Joseph continued to follow God even through his troubles. Joseph was released from prison when he interpreted Pharaoh s two dreams about the cows and the corn. As we begin this lesson, Pharaoh has honored Joseph and placed Joseph over the storing of food during the seven years of plenty. (Direct the students to read aloud together Genesis 41:47-53.) Food was stored by every city during these years. There was more food than Joseph could number! During these seven years of plenty, Joseph married, and two sons were born to Joseph. He named them Manasseh and Ephraim. The meaning 32

7 of both names recognized God s help to Joseph during his troubles. The seven years of plenty were followed by seven years of famine. This famine was in Egypt and in all the lands of the earth. (Direct the students to read aloud together Genesis 41:54-57.) Jacob and his eleven sons living in Canaan also had a great famine. Jacob sent ten of his sons down to Egypt to buy food, but Jacob kept Benjamin at home. (Direct the students to read aloud together Genesis 42:1-6.) Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob. Joseph was the governor over the land of Egypt. This means he was an important ruler over Egypt. When Joseph s ten brothers met Joseph, they bowed down to him. Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize Joseph. Joseph remembered the dreams which he had had many years earlier which had shown his brothers would bow down before him. Joseph did not tell his brothers who he was. At least twenty years had passed since Joseph had seen his brothers. Joseph was dressed in the clothing of the land of Egypt, and he spoke the language of Egypt. Joseph asked them many questions about their father and their youngest brother. Joseph accused them of being spies and demanded that they leave Simeon in Egypt until they returned with their youngest brother. Joseph did this so that he could see Benjamin again. Joseph told his servants to fill the brothers sacks with corn and to place the money they had paid for the corn back into the sacks also. When the nine brothers traveled home, they found the money in their sacks and were afraid that they would be accused of stealing the money. The nine brothers told Jacob everything that had happened while they were in Egypt. The famine continued. During this time, Jacob and his sons ran out of food for their family again. Jacob told the sons to return to Egypt and purchase more food. The nine brothers refused to go to Egypt unless Jacob would allow Benjamin to travel with them. They knew that they would not be allowed to purchase food in Egypt unless they brought Benjamin with them. Jacob did not want to send Benjamin with them, but all of the family was very hungry. Finally, Jacob agreed to send Benjamin with the nine brothers. Jacob sent along presents of honey, spices, and nuts. Jacob also sent along the money which had been found in their sacks after their first trip to Egypt and money to buy more food. 33

8 Joseph was glad to see his brothers return to purchase more food. Joseph told his servant to take them to Joseph s own house and to prepare a feast for all of them to eat at noon. Simeon was returned to join the brothers. At noon, Joseph came home to eat with them. The brothers presented their gifts of honey, spices, and nuts to Joseph and again the brothers bowed down to Joseph. Joseph asked them about their father, they told Joseph that he was well, and then the brothers again bowed down to Joseph the third time. Joseph became very emotional because he loved his brothers. Joseph knew it was not yet time to reveal himself to his brothers. He left the room to cry, then washed his face, and returned to eat the meal with his brothers. The brothers were surprised when Joseph seated the brothers in order by their ages. After the meal, Joseph told his servants to fill the sacks of each of the brothers with food. He also told them to put Joseph s silver cup into the sack of Benjamin with his corn. The brothers left in the morning to travel home to Canaan. Shortly after they left, Joseph sent his servant to catch up to them and to accuse them of stealing Joseph s silver cup. The brothers were sure that none of them had stolen the cup. They promised the servant that if the cup was found in anyone s sack, that brother would become a slave to Joseph. When the sacks of corn were searched, the silver cup was found in Benjamin s sack. All of the brothers returned to Joseph s house together and pled their case to Joseph. Again the brothers bowed down before Joseph. Judah begged Joseph to take him as a servant in Benjamin s place and to let Benjamin return to their father. Judah told Joseph that their father would not live if Benjamin did not return. Joseph finally told his brothers that he was their brother, Joseph. (Direct the students to read aloud together Genesis 45:4-11.) The brothers were very surprised! They asked Joseph to forgive them for being mean to him in the past. Joseph forgave his brothers and was not angry with his brothers. Joseph knew that even though his brothers had done evil to him, God had made the events good. Because Joseph was in Egypt, many people would not die during the long famine. Because Joseph was in Egypt, the lineage of Jacob would not all die before the Messiah (Jesus) was born. Joseph asked them to bring their father, their children, their grandchildren, and their flocks to live in Egypt in the region of Goshen close to him. There were still five more years of famine coming. Joseph would provide for all of the family. Pharaoh was 34

9 happy to help the family of Joseph. Pharaoh insisted that the brothers take along wagons to make the journey to Egypt easy for all of the family. (Direct the students to read aloud together Genesis 45:25-28.) So, all the family of Jacob moved to Egypt to live and God blessed them there. Jacob and Joseph were very happy to see each other. Twenty-two years had passed since Jacob had last seen Joseph! The family settled in the area of Egypt called Goshen. Initial Review Ask the following questions to the class. 1. Who had helped Joseph to interpret the dreams of the cup bearer, the baker, and Pharaoh? (God Genesis 40:8; 41:28, 39) 2. How many years did the people have plenty of food? (7years Genesis 41:47) 3. Who did Pharaoh place in charge of the preparations during the years of plenty and the years of famine? (Joseph Genesis 41:46-48) 4. What did Joseph do during the seven years of plenty? (He stored up food by every city. Genesis 41:48) 5. How many sons were born to Joseph and his wife? (2 sons Genesis 41:50) 6. The names of Joseph s sons had special meanings. Describe the meaning. (The names recognized God s help to Joseph during his years of troubles. Genesis 41:52, 52) 7. How many years did the famine last? (7 years Genesis 41:54) 8. When Jacob and his sons became hungry and needed food, what did they do? (Jacob sent 10 of the sons to Egypt to purchase food. Genesis 42:1, 2) 9. Which son stayed home with Jacob on the first trip to Egypt? (Benjamin Genesis 42:4) 10. What did the 10 brothers do when they met Joseph to buy the food? (They bowed down to him, just like in the early dreams of Joseph. Genesis 42:6) 11. Did the brothers recognize each other when they met? (Joseph recognized the ten brothers, but they did NOT recognize Joseph. Genesis 42:8) 12. Which brother did Joseph keep in Egypt? Why? (Simeon; Joseph accused them of being spies, but actually he wanted to be sure they would come back. Genesis 42:20, 24) 35

10 13. When the brothers left Egypt with the food, what did Joseph s servants place into their sacks with the food? (The money they had paid for the food Genesis 42:25) 14. When the brothers returned to Egypt for additional food, what did they bring with them? (Benjamin; the money for the first food; money for more food; gifts of honey, spices, and nuts Genesis 43:11-13) 15. Was Joseph glad to see his brothers or was he angry at them because they had treated him so meanly? (He was very glad to see them. Genesis 43:16) 16. When the brothers left Egypt after this second visit, what was in their sacks? (Food and the silver cup of Joseph Genesis 44:1, 2) 17. How was the silver cup found? (A servant of Joseph followed them and accused them of stealing the cup. A search was made of the sacks. Genesis 44:4, 12) 18. When the brothers returned the cup to Joseph, what did they do and say? (They bowed down to Joseph and begged for his forgiveness. Genesis 44:14, 16) 19. How did the brothers respond when Joseph finally told them who he was? (They were surprised and did not believe him at first. Genesis 45:3) 20. Why was Joseph not angry with his brothers? (Joseph recognized the blessings of God during his troubles. Joseph knew that because he was in Egypt, many people had been saved during the famine and the lineage of the Messiah was not ended. He honored God for making Joseph a ruler in Egypt. Genesis 45:5, 7) 21. What did Joseph ask his brothers to do when they returned home? (Bring their children, grandchildren, father, and flocks and move to Egypt so they would have plenty of food and they would all live close to Joseph Genesis 45:9, 10) 22. Did the entire family of Jacob move to Egypt? (Yes Genesis 46:1) 23. In what part of Egypt did the family of Jacob live? (Goshen Genesis 46:28) For additional review of lesson five, a Multiple Choice Review Page (SP-J-E-5-a) and a Matching Review Page (SP-J-E-5-b) are provided in the student packet. You may choose to use one or both of these review pages. 36

11 Answers for the Multiple Choice Review Page (SP-J-E-5-a): 1. B; 2. C; 3. A; 4. D; 5. C; 6. A; 7. C; 8. D; 9. A; 10. C; 11. D; 12. B; 13. A; 14. C. Answers for the Matching Review Page (SP-J-E-5-b): 1. F, J, and M; 2. K; 3. C; 4. A, H, and N; 5. D; 6. G; 7. L; 8. B; 9. E; 10. I; At the bottom of the page cross out almonds, honey, and money. Circle all other choices. Trust and Obey (verse 1) To Christ Be True (chorus) Singing Application Lesson Write the following scripture references on 3 X 5 cards before the class begins. Pass out the cards to students who are better readers. Allow these students to find the verse and read it aloud before beginning the discussion on that section of the application. Lead the discussion of the scriptures as indicated by the questions listed. Forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 and Luke 17:4 1. List the three attitudes from Ephesians 4:32 which we must have towards others. (Kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiving) 2. Why should we forgive others? (Because God has forgiven us) 3. What does it mean to forgive? (Forgiveness means to not be mad at someone who has hurt you.) 4. Have you ever forgiven anyone before? Has your friend/brother/sister ever called you a name? Are you still mad at them about it? 5. Should we forgive our friends, family, and enemies when they hurt us? (Yes) 6. Who must we forgive? (Those who repent and ask for forgiveness) 7. Should we be willing to forgive someone more than once a day? (Yes) 8. When we do something wrong, should we be willing to repent and ask for forgiveness? (Yes) Maturing / Growing up. Luke 2: Where did Jesus live with Mary and Joseph? (Nazareth) 2. What does it mean that Jesus was subject to Mary and Joseph? (He obeyed them.) 37

12 3. List the four ways in which Jesus grew. (Physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually) 4. Describe these four types of growth. 5. Should we be growing in all four of these ways today? (Yes) 6. Which type of growth is most important? (Spiritual growth) Always honoring God. Genesis 41:51-52 and Isaiah 25:1 1. What did Joseph name his two sons and what did each name mean? (Manasseh: God has made me forget all my work. Ephraim: God has made me fruitful in the land of my troubles. ) 2. Why were these two names important? (They showed that Joseph still honored God.) 3. Did Joseph honor God for His care even though he had had many troubles? (Yes!) 4. List three descriptive words in Isaiah 25:1 which tell about God s actions and God s word. (Wonderful, faithful, and true) 5. Discuss and list with the students some ways in which we show honor to God today. (Examples: listening in Bible class; singing songs during worship; being quiet during the sermon; not using God s name in vain; praying to God every day; learning memory verses; etc.) Memory Work Guide the class in review of Acts 7:9-10 and Romans 8:31. This review can be orally in unison, individually by volunteers, or by using the scripture verse strips to arrange the words of the verses correctly. Additional Review Choose from the following review activities, as time allows and in accordance with the abilities of the students. 1. Complete the application activity page with the students. This page is provided in the student packet (SP-J-E-5-c). Answers: Forgiveness: I am sorry # 1, 4, 7, and 8. I Forgive You # 2, 3, 5, 6, 9. Two behaviors which show I have forgiven another: Say, I forgive you and be kind to them, etc. Two behaviors which show I am truly sorry: Say, I am sorry and change (try not to do it again). Growing Up / Maturing: top row: mental or wisdom, physical or stature, spiritual or favor with God, social or favor with man. Bottom row: Mental = A and D; Physical = C and E; Spiritual = F and H; Social = B and 38

13 G. Honoring God: quiet in worship, sing, pray, answer questions in Bible class, do not swear, etc. 2. Let one of the students retell the lesson using the visual aid pictures (J5-1 through J5-14). 3. Lay some of the visual aid pictures for lessons 1-5 on the table in random order, and allow the children to take turns choosing the pictures in chronological order. 4. Instruct the students to write out Acts 7:9-10 from memory (or with the use of their Bible). 5. You could have the review questions used in this lesson written on 3 X 5 cards and allow the students to choose a question to answer. 6. Using the map with a distance scale and a ruler, the students should calculate the distance from Canaan to Egypt. Then, the class can discuss how long it might take to travel these distances by camel, by wagon, or by walking (Note: Internet estimations suggest both camels and people walking travel about 3 miles per hour [25 miles per day] while the old West wagon trains traveled 8 to 20 miles per day. The total distance was between 300 and 325 miles. Therefore, the travel time took 12 to 13 days.) Closing Comments Encourage the students to return for the regular Bible classes on Sundays and Wednesdays. A page should be sent home with the students inviting them and their family to attend Bible classes. Include the times of the regular Bible classes, the names of the teacher(s) for this age group, and a contact phone number. No assignments will be sent home, since this is the final lesson of the series. 39