Patience
WELCOME TO WEEK 5
This month we’ve learned that God makes and keeps his promises. Although we might fail to keep a promise, God does not fail and never forgets the promises He makes. What God says will happen, will happen. This week we will see that God fulfills the promise he gave to Joseph.
BIBLE STORY
Joseph’s life was not an easy life from the beginning to end, but there was a mix of good and bad times. Listen to the following events in Joseph’s life. Hold up your happy emoji if you think the event was happy, or your sad emoji if you think what happened was happy or sad.
Joseph is given a coat of many colors
Joseph has a dream that he believes God is tell him he will rule over others’ one day
He is asked to check on his brothers and they throw him in a pit
Joseph is sold into slavery
Joseph works as a slave in Potiphar’s house.
Joseph becomes head over Potiphar’s household
He is then wrongly sent to prison by Potiphar’s wife
Joseph holds a high position within prison
Joseph interprets the baker and cupbearers dreams
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream
Pharaoh asks Joseph to be in charge of storing away grain for the future
Joseph is placed as second in command to Pharaoh over the kingdom
Josephs brothers come to Egypt in look of food
Joseph is able to provide food for his family in a time of famine
Joseph Forgives his brothers for throwing him into a pit
Jacob is brought to Egypt and is able to see Joseph again
In the story of Joseph there are some happy and sad moments. Through the sad and difficult moments, Joseph still trusted God would fulfill what He said He would do. God had revealed to Joseph that he would run over others but it took some time for it to happen. When God makes a promise He keeps that promise, even when it doesn’t happen in the time we think it should.
Finish reading the story of Joseph in Genesis 40:1-41:40; 45:1-8
What dream did the cupbearer have? (A vine with 3 branches budding with ripened grapes, that were squeezed into Pharaohs cup)
What did the cupbearers dream mean? (That in 3 days Pharaoh would restore the cupbearers position)
What dream did the baker have? (3 baskets of bread on his head that the birds came and ate from the top of his head)
What did the bakers dream mean? (In 3 days Pharaoh would put him to death)
How much time passed before the cupbearer remembered Joseph to Pharaoh? (2 years)
What was Pharaoh’s dream? (7 fat cows grazing in the field and then 7 skinny cows came and ate up the fat cows but remained skinny; 7 good and full head of grain growing in a single stalk and then 7 thin heads of grain swallowed up the 7 full heads)
What did Joseph say these dreams meant? (They would have 7 years of plenty and then 7 years of famine)
Who did Joseph credit as knowing how to interpret dreams? (Not himself but God)
Who did Pharaoh ask to be in charge of preparing for the 7 years of famine? (Joseph, because God had given him the interpretation and plan)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
We can trust that God’s love is unchanging for us, even when we make big mistakes. David made several mistakes and even tried to cover it up, but God still loved him and forgave him for his mistakes.
Activity
I’m going to read some promises and I want to see if you can finish them.
Materials: printed true false cards and statements
Alternate
Draw a picture of any animal. As you draw your animal discuss the features this animal has. Then ask your child to change one feature of the animal into the feature from another animal. For example, if your child is drawing a dog, tell them to change the dog’s nose into the nose of an elephant. Continue changing the animals features until you have a new animal. We changed a lot of this animals features! It doesn’t even look like the ___ you were drawing! Just as it is impossible to change an animal to look like this, God’s love is unchanging too! We can make mistakes or do bad things and God’s love for us doesn’t change. God still loved David even though David made really big mistakes, God forgives and loves us too!
Materials: white sheet of drawing paper, pencil or colored pencils
Independent activity:
Complete the following activity sheet, pencil
Materials: printed activity sheet
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Complete the following craft on a sheet of construction paper to illustrate the grain collected in Egypt to prepare for the years of famine. Follow the instructions on the following website to create the picture.
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Psalm 26:1-3
This Psalm is not written by Joseph but Joseph did go through many test or trails and remained faithful to God. It can be easier to remain faithful to God when everything in life is going well, but when we are facing trials or hard times, it can be more difficult to trust and wait on God. This verse can help us remember that even through our tough times, we can remember that God’s love is unfailing and he remains faithful.
What are 3 difficult things that happened in Joseph’s life?
Do you think those hard times in Joseph’s life helped change him in a positive way?
How would you describe Joseph at the beginning compared to at the end?
How can difficult times make us stronger?
How can our difficult times help us trust God more?
Practical Application at Home
Sometimes it is hard to do an easy task. We sometimes think that an easy task is not worthy of our time. Throughout Joseph’s life as a slave, he was given many tasks to do that were simple. He could have easily believed he was supposed to do something far greater for God, so he couldn’t be bothered with such small unimportant tasks. But that is not how Joseph worked. Even when given task of a common slave, he did his best and quickly showed others He was a hard worker. When he worked hard at these slave tasks, he was given more responsibility and greater tasks. We can also do our best at even the tasks that seem boring or not important enough. Make a list of tasks you are often asked to do that you do not enjoy or simply do not want to do. Then make a commitment to work harder at those tasks this week and to do your best. Here is a short list to get you started.
-Sweeping the floors. Instead of doing a rushed job, be sure to clean the floors and leave no dust behind-Dusting the furniture: dust even the places you do not think anyone else will see
-Making your bed: try to get the bed straight and neat with no lumps or wrinkles
-Taking out the trash: take out the trash without being reminded that it is trash day
-Doing your homework: complete the assignment fully and neatly, then double check your work
When you try your best at your assignments and chores you may find that others notice the extra care you give to your work. This may lead to them trusting you with other tasks or greater responsibilities they know you can handle.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.