* LESSON
* HANDOUT
* JOSEPH PLAY
Bible Memory Verse:
“…in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” Romans 8:28
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 25:9
WHY DID JOSEPH’S BROTHERS HATE HIM? WHAT DID JOSEPH’S BROTHERS DO TO HIM BECAUSE THEY HATED HIM? WHY WAS JOSEPH PUT IN CHARGE OF POTIPHAR’S HOUSEHOLD? WHY WAS JOSEPH THROWN INTO PRISON? JOSEPH INTERPRETED THE DREAMS OF TWO MEN IN PRISON? BOTH OF THESE DREAMS CAME TRUE? WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE TWO MEN? WHAT DID JOSEPH ASK THE CUPBREARER TO DO FOR HIM? DID HE DO IT?
After two full years Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had a dream. In his dream there were seven fat, healthy cows, which were eaten by seven skinny, sick cows. Pharaoh had another dream where seven heads of good grain were swallowed up by seven heads of thin, worthless grain. Pharaoh was troubled by these dreams, and he asked the wise men in his country to explain what these dreams meant, but no one could.
Then the cupbearer remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh that there was a man in prison that could explain dreams. Pharaoh sent for Joseph. After Joseph had shaved and changed his clothes he was brought before Pharaoh. Pharaoh asked him to explain his dreams. Joseph told him, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires…The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven heads of good grain are seven years…The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterwards are seven years, and so are seven thin, worthless heads of grain…
Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt but seven years of famine will follow them. (WHAT IS FAMINE?) The abundance of the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.” Then Joseph gave them a plan of how this should be done."
The plan looked good to Pharaoh and his officials. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace and all my people are to submit (obey) to your orders. Only with respect to the throne I will be greater than you…I hereby (will) put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."
Pharaoh dressed Joseph in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain on his neck, and had him ride in his chariot as second-in-command. Joseph was in prison and in just a few hours he was put in charge of all the land of Egypt. This all happened because Joseph had obeyed and trusted God even when what was happening to him seemed bad.
Joseph collected grain during the good years so he could give the people grain during the years of famine. The famine was so bad that even people from other countries came to buy food. Joseph’s brothers came to buy food. They did not recognize Joseph after so many years. Now Joseph wore fine clothes and was the second most important man in the land of Egypt. Joseph heard them talking about how sorry they were that they had treated him so badly. They realized that bad things were happening to them because they had not obeyed God. Now God was ready to forgive them when they confessed their sin and repented (stopped doing it).
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
He said, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, ”I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” Genesis 49:4-7
They went to get their father, Jacob, and their families to bring them to Egypt where there was plenty of food. Pharaoh gave them the best land in Egypt because they were Joseph’s family. Everything had happened just as the dreams Joseph had as a boy had foretold. The father and brothers had bowed down to Joseph.
Joseph trusted in the Lord, and God used the evil things that happened to him to bring keep many people from starving to death. That will happen for us, too, if we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, He will make everything work out for good.
The Bible says, “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” Romans 8:28 Sometimes bad things happen, but if we trust God, they will help us to know Him and help us to be more like His Son, Jesus.
QUESTIONS:
1. Why was Joseph let out of prison?
2. Why was Joseph made to be the second in command of the great nation of Egyot?
3. Why did Joseph’s brothers come to the land of Egypt?
4. Why did Joseph forgive his brothers?
5. What good things happened because Joseph trusted in the Lord even though bad things happened to him?
6. What should we do when things we do not understand happen to us?
JOSEPH—PART 2
Bible Memory Verse:
“…in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” Romans 8:28
Words to choose from: PRISON, BOWED, TRUSTED, GOD, TWO, PHARAOH, BEST, SEVEN, FOOD, ATE
1. Even when bad things happened to Joseph, he __ __ __ __ __ __ ___ God.
2. Joseph was in prison for __ __ __ years after he had interpreted the baker and butcher’s dreams.
3. Joseph was let out of prison because __ __ __ __ __ __ __ wanted him to explain his dream.
4. The skinny cows __ __ __ the fat cows.
5. The famine would last for __ __ __ __ __ __ years.
6. Joseph went from the __ __ __ __ __ __ to being the second most important man in Egypt in one day.
7. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy __ __ __ __.
8. Everything happened just as Joseph’s dreams had foretold. His brothers__ __ __ __ __ down to him.
9. Joseph forgave his brothers because he knew __ __ __ wanted him to.
10. Pharaoh gave Joseph’s family the __ __ __ __ land.
Bible Memory Verse:
“…in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” Romans 8:28
CHARACTERS: Jolly the Giraffe, Polly the Polar Bear, Leo the Lion
JOLLY: (Leo & Jolly enter) Hi, Kids! Everything worked out good for Joseph, didn’t it? He loved and obeyed God in everything and God rewarded him. God knew that Joseph could be trusted to be put in charge of the country of Egypt, the most important country in the world.
LEO: And Joseph could help lots of people. He kept them from starving. I want to be like Joseph—someone God can trust with an important job.
POLLY (enter with her head hanging down)
JOLLY: You don’t look very happy, Polly. What’s wrong?
POLLY: I found out George the Grizzly Bear already has a girlfriend.
JOLLY: I bet you feel awfully disappointed.
POLLY: I do. I feel awful. I’ll never have a boyfriend.
JOLLY: You will. You’re so nice.
LEO: And so kind.
JOLLY: And so pretty.
LEO: And you always keep your fur looking so clean.
POLLY: You guys are embarrassing me.
JOLLY: The point is—lots of boys would like you.
LEO: You could be my girlfriend, if I didn’t already have a girlfriend.
POLLY: Who is your girlfriend, Leo?
LEO: Linda the Lionness.
POLLY: I know Linda. She’s a real nice Christian girl.
JOLLY: I’m sure the perfect boy will come along for you. Remember our Bible verse today: “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him…” Romans 8:28
POLLY: I feel better already. I sure am glad I have you two for my friends.
JOLLY: Thank you, Polly. We love you.
LEO: We sure do. And we sure feel glad you feel better.
POLLY: I think I’ll take my little brother and sister to the playground. They are always happy when I play with them. Good-by everyone.
JOLLY & LEO: Good-bye kids!
(Puppets exit)