JOSEPH FAMILY BIBLE STUDY SERIES 1 ST 2 ND GRADE MANUAL LESSONS BY STACEY DALTON EDITED BY DAVID DALTON & JAMES DALTON
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 38501 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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS JOSEPH, A YOUNG MAN... 1 JOSEPH, A BROTHER... 9 JOSEPH, A HOUSEHOLD SERVANT... 15 JOSEPH, A PRISONER AND A GOVERNOR... 21 JOSEPH, A LEADER OF ALL EGYPT... 29 ABOUT THE AUTHOR... 37 i
JOSEPH, A PRISONER AND A GOVERNOR Genesis 39:20-41:46 List of Supplies 1. Visual aid packet a. Pictures J4-1 through J4-10 b. VA-J-D-1-f memory work train phrase 4 c. VA-J-BCD-3-a ball figure for booklet 2. Student packet for each student a. Booklet SP-J-Booklet-4-a through d (to be assembled by students in class, see page 25) b. SP-J-Booklet-4-e through f (cutouts for booklet, cut out before class) c. SP-J-D-4-a (Facts for Families and Fun for Kids) d. SP-J-D-4-b (medallion cutout) 3. Crayons 4. Markers 5. Scissors 6. Glue sticks 7. Tape 8. Pencils 9. Hole punch 10. Yarn (20 inch piece per child) 11. Yarn (4 inch piece per child, for booklet) 12. Macaroni noodles 13. Pipe cleaners 14. Smiley face stickers 15. Drinking straws (cut into 1 inch segments, for booklet) Welcome Time Welcome your students with a smile and introduce new students to the class. Help the children fill in their attendance chart and ask if children have been studying their memory work. Ask the children about a time when they forgot something very important. Facilitate discussion to pique their interest on how forgetfulness is going to affect Joseph in the lesson tonight. 21
Prayer Ask for special prayer requests from the children. Include in your prayer asking God to give us opportunities to teach others about Him, to treat others kindly, and to trust Him daily. Bible Lesson Visual aid pictures needed for lesson 4 are: J4-1 (Joseph and two men); J4-2 (butler s dream); J4-3 (explanation to the butler); J4-4 (baker s dream); J4-5 (explanation to the baker); J4-6 (fat cattle); J4-7 (fat and skinny cattle); J4-8 (sheaves dream); J4-9 (Joseph before Pharaoh); J4-10 (Joseph explains Pharaoh s dream). To be read or retold to the students: In our lessons 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 trials. As this lesson begins, Joseph is still in jail [show J4-1, Joseph and two men]. Even in jail Joseph did very well since the Lord continued to bless him. Joseph was put in charge of the other prisoners. Two of these prisoners were men who had once had the jobs of being the head baker and the head cup bearer. The king of Egypt, Pharaoh, had placed the head baker and head cup bearer in the jail where Joseph was. One night, the butler and the cup bearer dreamed strange dreams. They were upset the next morning because the dreams bothered them, and they did not know what the dreams meant. Joseph could see they were sad and so he asked them why they were sad. They said they did not understand the dreams and they did not have anyone to explain the dreams to them. Joseph asked the butler and baker to tell the dreams to him, and said that God would explain the dreams to them. The butler explained that he had dreamed about a vine [show J4-2, butler s dream]. The vine had three branches that blossomed and grew clusters of grapes. The butler then took the grapes and squeezed them to make grape juice in Pharaoh s cup. God immediately gave Joseph the ability to explain the dreams [show J4-3, explanation to butler]. Joseph said that the branches represented three days. In three days the butler was going to be working as the head cup bearer for Pharaoh again. Joseph then asked the butler to remember him and tell Pharaoh about him. 22
Joseph explained that he was a Hebrew and had been placed in prison for something he did not do. Joseph hoped that Pharaoh would hear about the injustice and release him. The baker heard the good news for the butler, and became very excited, so he then told his dream to Joseph [show J4-4, baker s dream]. The baker explained that in his dream he had three white baskets on his head with many different kinds of bread for Pharaoh. During the dream, birds came and ate the bread out of the baskets. Again God gave Joseph the ability to explain the dream [show J4-5, explanation to baker]. Joseph explained that the three baskets in the baker s dream also represented three days. He explained that the dream showed that in three days Pharaoh would order the baker to be hung from a tree, and that the birds would eat his body. Three days later was Pharaoh s birthday. On his birthday Pharaoh took the butler and baker out of prison. The butler was given back his job of serving Pharaoh as the head butler. The baker was hung. The interpretations God had shown to Joseph both came true, but the butler forgot about Joseph, and he stayed in prison for another two years. After two years, Pharaoh had two strange dreams in the same night [show J4-6, fat cattle]. In his first dream, Pharaoh dreamed that seven cows that were very fat and healthy came out of the river and were eating grass in a meadow [show J4-7, fat and skinny cattle]. As they ate, seven skinny and sick cows came up out of the river and ate the seven fat cows. After this dream, Pharaoh woke up. He soon went back to sleep, though, and dreamed again. In his second dream, [show J4-8, sheaves dream] Pharaoh dreamed that a stalk of corn grew out of the ground with seven full and good ears of corn. After this corn stalk, another stalk grew that had seven thin and bad ears of corn. In the dream, the seven bad ears of corn ate the seven good ears of corn. The next day, Pharaoh was upset about his dreams. He asked for the wisest men in all of Egypt to come and interpret the dreams, but no one could tell Pharaoh what the dreams meant. Then the head butler spoke up. He reminded Pharaoh of the time that he and the head baker were put in prison. He told Pharaoh about the dreams they had dreamed while in prison and that a young Hebrew in prison was able to interpret the dreams. The butler emphasized that the interpretations given by this man were completely accurate [show J4-9, Joseph before Pharaoh]. 23
When Pharaoh heard this, he immediately sent for Joseph to be brought out of prison. After shaving and changing clothes, Joseph was brought to Pharaoh. When Pharaoh asked him if he could really interpret dreams, Joseph stated that he could not, but God would interpret the dreams. So Pharaoh told Joseph his dreams. He told about the seven fat cows that were eaten by seven skinny cows, and he stated that after the skinny cows ate the fat cows, they were still skinny and sick. Then he told about the seven healthy ears of corn that were eaten by the seven thin ears of corn. Pharaoh said that Egypt s wise men and magicians could not interpret his dreams. Joseph then shared with Pharaoh that God was sending a message to Pharaoh through these two dreams [show J4-10, Joseph explains Pharaoh s dream]. Joseph said that the seven fat cows and seven good ears of corn represented the same thing, seven good years. On the other hand, the seven skinny cows and the seven poor ears of corn all represented the same thing, seven years of famine. God was showing Pharaoh that there would be seven years in which the crops would be full and produce more than enough food for the people. After these good years, though, would come seven years of famine in which there would not be nearly enough food for the people. In fact, Joseph taught that the famine would be so severe that people would not even be able to remember the seven years of plenty that had just happened. Joseph told Pharaoh that the dream had been shown to Pharaoh twice to show that it was certain to occur, and that it would happen soon. Joseph did not stop after telling what the dream meant, though. He went on to share an idea for dealing with the famine. He suggested that during the years of plenty Pharaoh could set a man over the land of Egypt who would collect a fifth of all the crops raised each year. He stated that if the food was then kept in the cities, it would be ready to distribute to those in need. Pharaoh recognized that Joseph s plan was wise, and that God was with him. Recognizing this, he made Joseph the overseer of the food. Pharaoh also made a celebration to honor Joseph. He put him in fancy clothing, and put a gold necklace on him. Joseph then was taken on a ride through the city with those riding with Joseph yelling at everyone to bow as Joseph passed by. Pharaoh had made Joseph the second in command. At the beginning of this lesson Joseph was in prison. By the end, he had left prison and been exalted to second in command of Egypt. 24
Bible Activity The students will be making booklets to review and remember the lesson. As you help the students do each page, remind them about the lesson and continually ask each of them review questions. Each activity provides another varied opportunity for review and reinforcement. Assemble the booklets before class begins. The booklet will be found in the student pack and is labeled SP-J-Booklet-4-a through f. Fold the four pages for the Review Booklet (SP-J-Booklet-4-a through SP-J-Booklet-4-d) and staple them together (using either a long reach stapler or staple them on the outside of the fold with a regular stapler). Pictures found on pages SP-J-Booklet-4-e and f will need to be cut out for the booklets. Page 1: The students will draw vertical prison bar lines over the picture of Joseph. They can color Joseph if time allows. Talk about how Joseph was good and kind, but was put into prison because they thought Joseph had been bad. Page 2: Talk about how no matter where Joseph was (even in prison) God was still with Joseph and Joseph still did what was right. The student will put smiley face stickers on this page. Talk about how God is with us and loves us no matter where we are as well. Page 3: Glue images of grapes and the smaller goblet on this page. Remind the students that the butler dreamed that he gave drinks to Pharaoh again as he had done before. Page 4: Glue images of bread baskets and birds onto this page. Remind the students of the baker s dream of the baskets on his head and the birds eating out of the baskets. Page 5: Glue the image of the larger goblet on the page. Talk to students about how what Joseph said to the butler and baker about the dreams came true. Discuss that the butler did again give drinks to Pharaoh. Page 6: Have the students again draw vertical prison bar lines over the picture of Joseph. Talk about how the butler forgot the kindness that Joseph showed to him by telling him what his dream meant. He was not kind to Joseph because he forgot him in prison. Remind them that we should always be kind to others. Page 7: Have students glue on pictures of fat cows and skinny cows. Talk about how the skinny cows ate the fat cows, but they did not get fat! 25
Page 8: Have students glue on the pictures of the grain. Talk about how the seven skinny ears of grain ate the seven fat ears, but did not get fat! Page 9: Have students color the picture of Joseph interpreting Pharaoh s dream. Page 10: Have students color the picture of Joseph as ruler of the land. Page 11: Students may wish to color the ball. Tape one segment of a straw on the back of the ball. Let the students thread the short yarn through the straw on the back of the ball. Glue both ends of the yarn to the page with school glue. Allow the students to glue the children cutouts onto each end of the yarn [when finished the ball should move between the children]. Talk about how Joseph was kind to the butler, to the baker, and to Pharaoh as he interpreted their dreams. We should show kindness to others, too. One way to do this is by sharing what we have. Review Time If your class has snack time, serve the children grape juice and baked bread and allow the children to pretend they are in Egypt and eating like Pharaoh and Joseph (once he was placed over the gathering of the grain). Snack ideas: grape juice (or grape flavored drink), baked breads, or pastries. Discuss with the children the roles that the butler and the baker had in Pharaoh s kingdom. The head butler was a very important role to hold in Joseph s time. The head butler was one of the most trusted officials because it was his job to ensure that Pharaoh s drink was not poisoned. There were times that the butler must try the drink first before Pharaoh would take his cup. The chief baker had another important role in Pharaoh s kingdom. The chief baker would not only bake breads but meats for Pharaoh s meals and feasts. Some Review Questions 1. Who were the two men who had strange dreams in jail? (the butler and the baker) 2. What did the butler dream? (three vines growing grapes and squeezing juice into Pharaoh s cup) 3. What did the butler s dream mean? (he would be restored as the butler in three days) 26
4. What did the baker dream? (three baskets on his head with birds eating out of them) 5. What did the baker s dream mean? (he would die in three days) 6. What did Pharaoh dream? (seven skinny cows ate up the seven fat cows and seven thin ears of corn ate the seven fat ears of corn) Song Suggestions Trust and Obey - Reinforce that Joseph trusted God and always followed God. This Little Light of Mine B-I-B-L-E Application Lesson Since we have been studying about Joseph, we have seen many sad events happen to Joseph. First, Joseph s brothers were jealous of Joseph. Second, Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt. Third, Joseph was accused of doing something he did not do and was put in Jail. Then, Joseph was forgotten in jail by the baker whom he had helped. During all of Joseph s trials, God watched over Joseph, and Joseph continued to trust in God s plan. Our memory verse reminds us that God gave Joseph a position of leadership and power after he endured and was patient through the trials [read Acts 7:9-10]. Being patient means waiting without complaining or getting angry. Do you ever complain while you are waiting? How about when you are at the store with your parents? Do you complain in line waiting for a drink of water? Being patient also means to be kind to others while we wait. Since Joseph was patient, God made Joseph a great leader in Egypt. Pharaoh clothed Joseph in fancy clothing and placed a gold chain around his neck. We can learn to be patient like Joseph and wait without getting angry or complaining. Application Activity: Joseph s Golden Necklace Items Needed: hole punch, scissors, yarn (20 inch piece per child), macaroni noodles, crayons, and medallion cutout (SP-J-D-4-b). First, pass out the copies of the pendant on card stock and allow the children to color and cut out the pendant. Second, pass out the yarn and macaroni noodles. Third, instruct the children on 27
how to loop the yarn through the noodles and place the pendant on the necklace when the about half of the noodles are used. Fourth, help the children knot the end of the necklace. During this activity read the scripture that is on the medallion to the children. Ask the children if any of them understand what the scripture says. Discuss with the children that Pharaoh was impressed that Joseph could interpret his dreams when no one else could. Then Joseph was able to lay out a plan to help save the people of Egypt by storing food for seven years. Pharaoh knew that God was with Joseph because of his gifts and his wisdom. You can discuss with the children more about patience. It becomes tedious at times to get the yarn through the noodles. Continue to encourage the children to finish the project and remind them of the reward of a finished necklace. Allow the children to problem solve on what might make this project easier. Offer the children tape, pencils, pipe cleaners, etc. which could all be used to get the yarn through the macaroni easier. Memory Work Add the new train car found in the visual aid packet (VA-J-D-1-f). Then practice with the children saying the memory work out loud starting with lesson one s phrase and going through lesson four s phrase. Review the memory verse through verbal repetition. Children should be able to say the whole memory verse out loud individually and as a group. Lesson 4 Focus Memory Work Phrase: and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Assignments and Facts for Parents to Review with the Child Assign students to study the memory verse and read with their parents the next lesson text. Send home with them the Facts for Families and Fun for Kids sheet (SP-J-D-4-a). Answers to Word Scramble: 1. Bible; 2. cow; 3. dreams; 4. food; 5. bread. 28