Joseph Sold By His Brothers | Genesis 35:23-26 and 37:1-36

LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS

In Genesis 35:23–26, we learn the names of Jacob’s 12 sons. These sons would go on to form the 12 tribes of Israel. Among them, Joseph was especially favored by Jacob because he was born to Rachel, the wife Jacob loved most. This favoritism became a seed of jealousy and bitterness among the brothers.

Genesis 37:1–36 tells the emotional and painful story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Despite their hatred and sin, God’s love remained constant. Even in their cruelty, God had a plan and showed mercy. This story helps young children understand that while people may make poor choices, God’s love never ends.

OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00–6:15 | Color a Coat on the Table

Items Needed

• Butcher Paper
• Coat Template
• Markers or Crayons
• Glue
• Tissue Paper Squares
• Optional: Foam Stickers

Put butcher paper across the table. Sketch out coats across the paper (or draw one really large coat). Have the children use markers, glue, and tissue paper squares, to decorate the coat.

Note: If children finish early, you could also give them Playdoh and ask them to decorate the coat with Playdoh.

SONG 6:20–6:30

PRAYER 6:30–6:40

• 🎵 Sing “Whisper a Prayer” (use calm, quiet voices)
• Invite children to form a prayer circle.
• Prayer Suggestion: “Dear God, thank You for loving us even when we make mistakes. Help us to be kind to our brothers and sisters. Amen.”

BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:40–6:50 | Drop Joseph

Items Needed

• Tin Can (or Box)
• Clothes Pins
• Permanent Markers

Draw a face on each of the clothes pin. Tell children their clothes pin is Joseph. Have children take turns trying to toss their “Joseph” into the “pit.” Remind them Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers. Talk about being jealous and how that can make us do bad things. Remind the children that even though Joseph´s brothers did those bad things to him, he forgave them and accepted it as God´s plan for him.

BIBLE STORY 6:50–7:00

Question 1: What book is this story from? (Genesis)
Question 2: Is Genesis in the Old or New Testament? (Old)

Story:
Jacob had 12 sons, but he loved Joseph the most. He gave Joseph a special coat with many colors. Joseph’s brothers felt left out and jealous. Joseph also had dreams that made them angry. He dreamed they would bow down to him!

One day, Jacob sent Joseph to check on his brothers. But when the brothers saw him coming, they were so angry they threw him in a pit. Then they sold him to some travelers going to Egypt. They tricked their father by putting goat’s blood on Joseph’s coat. Jacob thought Joseph was dead and cried very hard.

Even though the brothers were mean, God still loved them. And God was with Joseph, even in Egypt.

Theological Questions:

1. Does God stop loving us when we sin? (No!)
2. Who was still with Joseph even in a faraway land? (God)

Life Application Questions:

1. Have you ever been sad because of something your sibling did?
2. What should we do when we feel jealous or mad?

Prayer: “God, help me be loving even when it’s hard. Thank You for loving me no matter what.”

BIBLE CRAFT 7:00–7:10 | Joseph Forgives Activity

Items Needed

• Activity Printout (From Bible Crafts and Activities)
• Scissors
• Glue

Follow the instructions on the Activity Printout.

SNACK TIME & DOT MARKER CRAFT 7:10–7:25

Items Needed

• Dot Marker Page
• Dot Markers
• Snack

Sit together while coloring and eating. Talk about the story and ask: “What would you have done if you were Joseph?”

BONUS ACTIVITY: Rainbow Milk Science

Items Needed

• A shallow dish, plate, or bowl
• Whole Milk
• Food coloring
• Dish soap
• Cotton swab

Perform the science activity. Tell the kids to watch the colors swirl like the colors of Joseph’s coat.

1. Pour a thin layer of milk into the dish so the bottom is completely covered. 
2. Add a few drops of different food coloring colors onto the surface of the milk, keeping the drops somewhat separate. 
3. Dip the tip of a cotton swab into the liquid dish soap. 
4. Gently touch the soapy tip of the cotton swab to the surface of the milk, right in the center of the food coloring drops. 
5. Watch as the colors swirl and spread out like a magical explosion. 
6. You can try touching the soapy swab to different spots or adding more soap to see how the colors react. 

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Genesis 35:23–26 and 37:1–36 (KJV)
“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours… And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him…”

COLORING PAGE

Would you like me to generate a Joseph and the coat of many colors coloring page for this lesson?

PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET

Today’s Key Takeaway:
God loves us always.

What I Learned Today:

1. Joseph had many brothers, but his father loved him the most.
2. His brothers were jealous and sold him.
3. Even when people do bad things, God still loves them.

Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:

1. Who gave Joseph a special coat? (His father, Jacob)
2. Did Joseph’s brothers love him? (No, they were jealous)
3. Where did Joseph’s brothers send him? (To Egypt)
4. Did God stop loving Joseph’s brothers? (No)
5. Can God love me even when I make mistakes? (Yes!)

Life Application Questions:

1. What should I do if I feel jealous? (Pray and talk about it)
2. What should I do if someone is mean to me? (Tell an adult, forgive, and pray)
3. How can I show love to my family? (Be kind, share, use nice words)
4. Have I ever tattled or told on someone? What can I do instead? (Talk it out or get help kindly)
5. Can I forgive like God does? (Yes, with His help!)