Joseph Helps Pharaoh

Transcription

1 This lesson is about the time Joseph helped Pharaoh by telling him what his dreams meant. Children learn that when they choose to follow God's Will, especially during times of difficulty or hardship, they build character, and the ability to serve the Lord even more. TOPICS Character, Helping, Joseph, Serving, Will of God AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes) According to His Purpose (Puzzle) page 3 MEMORY WORK (12 minutes) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV Divide the class into two teams. The teacher can lead one team and a helper can lead the other team. The challenge is for each team to repeat the memory verse in a creative way. For example, the first team may say the verse while hopping on one foot. The next team might respond by saying the verse while clapping after each word. The first team could then say the verse while doing the twist or turning around in circles. There really is no winner, but the kids will have a lot of fun trying to outdo each other, and they will unknowingly memorize the verse. SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes) Introduction: Because the Lord was with Joseph, the warden put him in charge of everyone held in Pharaoh's prison. However, Joseph was still in prison himself. Sometime later, Pharaoh got mad at his cupbearer and baker, and sent them to prison too. They both ended up under the care of Joseph. One day, both the cupbearer and the baker had a dream, and they became deeply troubled. Seeing their concern, Joseph explained to them what their dreams meant. This pleased the cupbearer, because his dream was good. However, the baker's dream was a message of death. Our story today begins another two years after this took place. Read Genesis 41:1-39 (Pharaoh's Dreams) Discussion Questions: 1. How many dreams did Pharaoh have? (Two.) 2. What were his dreams about? (The first was about seven fat cows and seven skinny cows. The second was about seven healthy heads of grain followed by seven thin and scorched heads of grain.) 3. Whom did Pharaoh send for at first to tell him what his dreams meant? (Magicians and wise men.) 4. Where they able to interpret the dreams? (No.) 5. What did the cupbearer say to help Pharaoh? (That he knew of a man named Joseph who had the ability to interpret dreams.) 6. How did Joseph respond when Pharaoh asked him if he could interpret the dreams? (Joseph gave the credit to God, saying God would provide the meaning to Pharaoh.) 7. What did the dreams mean? (That there would be seven good years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.) 8. After Pharaoh understood the meaning of his dreams, what did he do? (He put Joseph in charge of his palace to oversee the collecting of food during the seven good years so there would be enough available during the seven bad years.) 9. God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. When we follow Jesus, what other abilities might God give us to carry out His purpose? (Allow for answers.) CLASS EXERCISE (15-20 minutes) Seven Good Years - Seven Bad Years (Craft) page 4 ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (15 minutes) Oh Brother! (Skit) page 5-7 APPLICATION (4 minutes)

2 Every time Joseph found himself in a difficult spot, he continued to follow God. He followed God when his brothers sold him to merchants going to Egypt. He followed God in the presence of Potiphar's wife. Joseph also followed God while in prison for doing nothing wrong. Joseph had no knowledge that things would eventually go well for him. That was not important. Instead, following God's Will and honoring the Lord was all that really mattered. It is no wonder that God enabled Joseph to become the second in command over all of Egypt. Joseph would play a big part in God's plans. When we choose to follow Jesus, even when faced with difficulties or hardships, we build character. Our Lord is then able to use us to serve Him according to His Will. As He did for Joseph, God desires to provide whatever we need to carry out His purpose. This doesn't mean everything will always go delightfully well for us, but we can be certain that in all things, God is working for the good of those who love Him.

3 ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE (Cross-out) Children cross out words that are the names of animals, colors, and numbers to reveal the encouraging message of Romans 8:28 TOPICS: Encouragement, Stand Firm, Will of God MATERIALS: Cross-out puzzle for each child page 8 Answer page 9 Highlighters or markers DURATION: Approximately 10 minutes WHAT YOU WILL DO: Give each child a pencil or a marker and a copy of the puzzle. Have students cross out all words that are names of animals. Next, have them cross out all words that are colors. Finally, have them cross out all words that are numbers. Have students write the remaining words, in order, on the provided lines on the bottom of their pages.

4 SEVEN GOOD YEARS - SEVEN BAD YEARS Children create a colorful grain silo to demonstrate the seven good years and seven bad years during the time of Joseph. by Nan Arnold TOPICS: Helping, Joseph, Provision, Sharing, Stewardship MATERIALS: Empty 12oz. frozen juice containers Cone template page 10 Picture cover page 11 Wheat stalks page 12 Items to go inside can (see options below) Crayons or markers, tape Brown card stock or construction paper DURATION: Approximately 20 minutes page 13 PREPARATION: Before class, print out the cone template and cover pictures to be used for the juice container covers. Make enough copies of each for every child. Make the cone, used for the silo top, from brown card stock or heavy brown construction paper. Note: Make sure there are no sharp edges exposed if using metal cans. If you are teaching younger kids, you may wish to construct the cone tops and tape them to the containers before class. Choose an ample supply of any of the following items for the children to place inside their can. Options for silo contents: Pretzel sticks Small bread sticks Cut stalks of wheat (if available) Copies of paper wheat stalks WHAT YOU WILL DO: Have the children color the paper with the seven good years and the seven bad years. On the seven good years side, have them color a nice gentle rain with the sun and colorful wheat stalks, and on the bad years side have them color a big sun with no rain and dry brown grain. When finished, have them tape or glue it to the outside of the juice container. Next, they will cut out and tape their cone top together and then tape one side to the top of the container on the inside of the cone and the inside of the can to make a hinge. Have them count seven of whatever item you chose for the contents, and have them fill their silo. This represents storing up grain during the seven good years to prepare the people for the seven lean years. As the children are completing their craft, explain how God revealed to Joseph the meaning of Pharaoh's dream; that there would be seven good years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Because the Pharaoh was pleased that Joseph told him the meaning of his dream, he put Joseph in charge of storing the grain. This way, when the seven years of famine came, everyone throughout the land had plenty to eat. The children can also use their silo at home as a bank to store up their coins for a rainy day.

5 OH BROTHER! A skit about a boy who would rather catch a fish than catch a ball, and how he faced conflict with his jealous brother. (A skit for three persons: Mr. Frank, Kevin, Josh.) TOPICS: Acceptance, Coveting, Jealousy, Kindness, Love, Patience MATERIALS: Fishing pole (optional) Baseball (optional) DURATION: Approximately 15 minutes (Kevin is sitting and holding a fishing pole, patiently waiting for a bite, when Mr. Frank walks up to him.) Hey Kevin, caught anything big? Nope, not yet! How long have you been here fishing? Oh, I don't know. Since this morning after breakfast. Gee, I thought you would have caught a lot by now. Anyway, it's getting dark. I think your mom is getting worried. Sorry Mr. Frank. Just a little longer. I promise I won't catch all the fish in your pond. Oh no, you can stay as long as you want. Just be home by dinner. Thanks Mr. Frank. I will. Hmm, you look sad. Did you have a fight with your brother again? Yup. What was it about this time? He hates me because mom gave me this fishing pole that belonged to Dad. He doesn't like to fish. He doesn't even know how to fish, yet he wants it for himself. I see. I thought Josh was in to baseball. Didn't your dad give his prized baseball to him before leaving for Iraq? Uh huh. He's mad because he lost his ball somewhere near this pond. He was playing with some friends. That was dad's gift to Josh, but now that it's lost, he wants my fishing pole. Well Kevin, all I can say is that you two should not be fighting. It is already hard for your mom with your dad away. She needs to be able to count on the two of you to help each other out, and not fight. I know Mr. Frank. That's why I come here. I don't really want to fight, but it's so frustrating. Josh and his friends sometimes make fun of me because I like fishing better than sports. I wish I could play like he does, but I like it here better. Fishing is more fun, especially when I can bring my catch home to mom. You're a good boy Kevin. Don't worry about sports, not everyone is born to kick or catch a ball. Think of it this way: your brother brings home dirty uniforms, cuts, and bruises. You bring home food.

6 (Smiling) I remember my dad telling me that too. He knows I'm not good at sports, but that I have the patience to fish. Although some kids say it's not cool to sit for hours waiting for a bite, my dad says fishing is more peaceful and more challenging. Even when I don't catch anything, he says I learn how to wait and be patient. He says that makes it even more exciting when I catch a fish. It's like I win over the fish in a game of waiting. Your dad is right. Patience is a virtue. It is like faith. Good things happen to those who wait patiently. So should I let my brother use my pole? Maybe if I do, he won't hate me so much. Better yet, maybe if you teach him how to fish, you two might actually have fun together. I doubt it. He just wants my pole because it belonged to dad. If I let him use it, he might be nicer to me. Will you make fun of him if he never catches a fish? No! I would just be happy to see him happy. Good for you. Your mom will definitely be proud of you, and so will your dad when he gets back. Thanks Mr. Frank. I feel much better now. So is it okay to stay longer? I think I feel a real big fish coming soon! (Grinning) Sure kid. Just holler if you need help bringing in your big catch. (Mr. Frank leaves and Josh walks up to Kevin.) Hey Kev, mom wants you home right now. It's getting late. (Moving fishing pole up and down.) A few more minutes. I think I've got one. Oops, it got away. Okay if I sit here awhile with you? Okay, as long as you don't push me into the water! Ha ha, tempting. Not funny. Are you still mad at me? Nah. I was just ticked off this morning. Actually, I'm just jealous because you have something of dad's, and I lost mine. (Sighing) I miss him. I miss him too. Here, you can hold my pole. (Josh takes the fishing pole from Kevin.) This is so boring though, sitting and waiting like forever. It's not either. Fishing is actually fun, especially when you catch a big one. Then, the wait is worth it. You've been here all day, and caught nothing. How can that be worth it? I don't know. It just is. (Kevin stands up and looks around. Then he stoops to pick up the baseball.) (Grinning from ear to ear almost screaming) Hey look! See! Staying here all day was worth it! Ha ha hah, it was really worth it! What is wrong with you? Why are you screaming? Look! I found your ball.

7 (Both boys cheer loudly as Mr. Frank comes running up to them.) Hey, what's going on? Did someone get hurt? No Mr. Frank. Look, Kevin found my ball! So it looks like Kevin waiting patiently all day paid off after all. Yep. It's like what dad said, "Jesus gives all of us a purpose." Dad said that's something we need to remember, especially while he is away. (Grinning) Hey, Josh, I guess your purpose is to lose things so I can find them. Ha Ha! Don't think so. Well boys, you seem to be happy now. Your dad would be very proud of both of you. But I think your purpose right now is to get home for dinner.

8 ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE Instructions: Cross out all words that are names of animals Cross out all words that are colors Cross out all words that are numbers MONKEY BLUE AND DOG PURPLE WE ORANGE SEVEN KNOW NINE THAT THREE PARROT IN ALL RED SNAKE THINGS GOD SQUIRREL EIGHT GOLD WORKS FOX KANGAROO FOUR FOR SHARK KITTEN WHITE THE MOUSE COW GOOD CHICKEN OF LION RACCOON THOSE BROWN THREE WHO SIX LOVE ONE RABBIT HIM, WHO YELLOW HAVE SILVER BEEN CALLED DUCK THIRTEEN ACCORDING GREEN TO BLACK ALLIGATOR HIS TIGER PURPOSE What do the remaining words say? Write them in order on the lines below. Romans 8:28 NIV Kids Sunday School Place, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

9 ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE Instructions: Cross out all words that are names of animals Cross out all words that are colors Cross out all words that are numbers MONKEY BLUE AND DOG PURPLE WE ORANGE SEVEN KNOW NINE THAT THREE PARROT IN ALL RED SNAKE THINGS GOD SQUIRREL EIGHT GOLD WORKS FOX KANGAROO FOUR FOR SHARK KITTEN WHITE THE MOUSE COW GOOD CHICKEN OF LION RACCOON THOSE BROWN THREE WHO SIX LOVE ONE RABBIT HIM, WHO YELLOW HAVE SILVER BEEN CALLED DUCK THIRTEEN ACCORDING GREEN TO BLACK ALLIGATOR HIS TIGER PURPOSE What do the remaining words say? Write them in order on the lines below. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV Kids Sunday School Place, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

10 Cone Template Cut out on solid lines and tape flap to opposite side. Color brown or cut out from brown construction paper.

11 Cut on solid lines Kids Sunday School Place, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

12 Color light brown or print onto light brown card stock. Cut out a narrow oval shape around each stalk.

13 Example of colored picture Kids Sunday School Place, Inc. All Rights Reserved.