LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS

In Genesis 39:1-20, Joseph arrives in Egypt as a slave, sold by his own brothers. He becomes the property of Potiphar, an official who served as captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Despite his difficult circumstances, Joseph remains faithful to God and works diligently in everything he does. The Lord blesses Joseph’s efforts, and Potiphar notices this blessing. Joseph rises to become the head servant of Potiphar’s entire household, managing all his master’s affairs. However, Potiphar’s wife becomes attracted to Joseph and repeatedly attempts to seduce him. Joseph demonstrates remarkable integrity by refusing her advances, recognizing that such an act would be a sin against both Potiphar and God. When she falsely accuses him after he flees from her final attempt, Potiphar becomes angry and sends Joseph to prison, though execution would have been the typical punishment for such an accusation.

In Genesis 39:20-41:57, Joseph’s story continues in prison where he could have become bitter and abandoned his faith. Instead, he remains faithful to God, and the Lord continues to bless him even behind bars. The prison warden recognizes Joseph’s character and places him in charge of all the prisoners. Joseph interprets dreams for two of Pharaoh’s officials (a cupbearer and a baker), and both interpretations come true exactly as Joseph predicted. Two years later, when Pharaoh himself has troubling dreams that none of his wise men can interpret, the cupbearer finally remembers Joseph. Brought before Pharaoh, Joseph humbly acknowledges that only God can provide the interpretation. He explains that Pharaoh’s dreams predict seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom and recognizing God’s presence with him, Pharaoh elevates Joseph to second-in-command over all of Egypt, entrusting him with preparing the nation for the coming famine. From slave to prisoner to leader, Joseph maintains his integrity throughout every circumstance.

OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Play Doh Stars

Items Needed

• Star Cookie Cutters
• Playdoh

Allow children to cut out stars out of Playdoh. While they are cutting stars out, ask them if they remember the dream they had last night? A fun dream they’ve had in the past?

SONG 6:20-6:30

PRAYER 6:30-6:40 p.m.

Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Sing “Whisper a Prayer” to help children settle down. Form a circle and hold hands.

Pray for children to make good choices even when others aren’t watching, just like Joseph did. Ask God to help them remember that He sees everything and is always with them.

BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:40-6:50 | Grain Keeper Relay

Items Needed:

• Plastic cups/bowls
• Large Noodles in 2 different bins
• 2 large spoons.
• 2 Buckets

Teams scoop and carry “grain” to a “storehouse” on the far side of the room. If a noodle spills, the child pauses, picks it up, and puts it back on their spoon and carries on. They run back with an empty spoon and hand it to the next child. Repeat.

Praise children when they drop a noodle and pick it up. “We do what’s right even when it’s slower.” Connect to Joseph carefully storing grain for years.

BIBLE STORY 6:50-7:00

Question 1: Where is this story found in the Bible?
Answer: The book of Genesis

Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament?
Answer: Old Testament

The Story

Do you remember Joseph? He had a beautiful coat of many colors! But Joseph’s brothers were very mean to him. They sold him to people who took him far, far away to a place called Egypt. Egypt is in a different country with pyramids and sand!

In Egypt, Joseph became a slave. A slave has to work for someone else and can’t go home. Joseph worked for a man named Potiphar. Even though Joseph was sad and missed his family, he decided to work really hard and obey God.

Even though Joseph was far from home, God was always right next to him! God never left Joseph alone.

Joseph was so good at his work that Potiphar said, “Joseph, you are in charge of my whole house! You can be the boss of all the other workers!” Joseph was doing such a good job because God was helping him.

But then something very bad happened. Potiphar’s wife told lies about Joseph. She said Joseph did something wrong, but Joseph didn’t do it! Joseph always did what was right, even when no one was watching, because he knew God could see him.

[Object Lesson: Cover your eyes] Can you still see me? No! But does God still see you? Yes! God sees us ALL the time. Joseph knew this, so he always tried to do what was right.

Because of the lies, poor Joseph was sent to prison. Prison is like a big timeout room where people who do bad things go. But Joseph didn’t do anything bad! Still, he had to go to prison.

Do you think Joseph got mad at God? No! Joseph kept trusting God and doing what was right. And guess what? God blessed Joseph even in prison! The guard said, “Joseph, you are in charge of all the prisoners!”

One day, two men came to the prison. One used to give the king drinks, and one used to bake bread. They both had dreams that made them confused. Joseph said, “God can tell you what your dreams mean!”

Joseph told them what their dreams meant, and everything happened exactly like Joseph said! But then the man who gave drinks to the king forgot all about Joseph for TWO WHOLE YEARS! That’s a very long time.

Then one day, the great king called Pharaoh had a strange dream. He dreamed about fat cows and skinny cows. He dreamed about good grain and bad grain. None of his smart people could tell him what it meant.

Finally, the drink man remembered Joseph! “I know someone who can help! His name is Joseph, and God helps him understand dreams!”

They brought Joseph out of prison. Pharaoh said, “Can you tell me what my dream means?”

Joseph said, “I can’t, but GOD can! God will tell you what it means.”

[Object Lesson: Hold up seven fingers] Joseph said, “Your dream means there will be seven good years with lots of food.” [Then hold up seven more fingers] “Then there will be seven bad years with no food. You need to save food during the good years so people will have food during the bad years!”

Pharaoh said, “Wow! You are so wise! God is with you! Joseph, I’m putting YOU in charge of ALL of Egypt! You will save the food!” Pharaoh gave Joseph a special ring and a gold necklace. He gave Joseph a chariot to ride in. Joseph went from being in prison to being in charge of almost everything!

Joseph stayed faithful to God in Potiphar’s house, in prison, and in the palace. No matter where he was, Joseph did what was right because he loved God!

Theological Questions:

1. Who was always with Joseph, even in prison? (God was always with Joseph)
2. How did Joseph know what dreams meant? (God told Joseph what the dreams meant)

Life Application Questions:

1. Can you think of a time when you did the right thing even though it was hard? (Let children share—examples like sharing a favorite toy, telling the truth when they broke something)
2. Does God see you when you’re in your room by yourself? (Yes, God sees us everywhere, all the time)

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, thank You for the story of Joseph. Help us to be like Joseph and do what is right even when no one else is watching. We know You see us all the time and You are always with us. Help us to love You and obey You just like Joseph did. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

BIBLE CRAFT 7:00-7:10 | Integrity Badge Craft and Game

Items Needed:

• Badge templates (pre-cut from cardstock or foam – approximately 4 inches wide)
• Poster Boards (1 per child)
• Large Heart
• Crayons and markers
• Stickers (stars, smiley faces, hearts)
• Glue sticks

Each child receives a poster board. Help children glue a pre-printed text strip to their heart that says “God Sees My Heart”.

Each child receives a large heart cutout. Have them color and decorate one side of their heart with crayons. Explain that this heart represents THEIR heart, the part of them that makes choices.

Once the poster boards are decorated, children take turns going on a hunt to fund Integrity Merit Badges around the room. When a child picks a bag or merit badges (same badge in each bag) they hand it to the teacher to read and then pass it out. As each child glues the merit badge to their poster board, discuss what the integrity sayings mean.

• Integrity is picking up a piece of trash from the floor and throwing it in the garbage can, even when no one asks you to do it.
• Integrity is saying something nice about a friend when other kids are saying mean things about them.
• Integrity is telling your teacher that you accidentally knocked over and broke something while she was out of the room.
• Integrity is finding a dollar on the library floor and giving it to the librarian instead of keeping it in your pocket.
• Integrity is telling your mom or dad the truth about how many cookies you ate, even if you ate more than you should have.
• Integrity is telling mom or dad right away when you spill your juice, instead of hiding it
• Integrity is not jumping on the furniture when you’re alone in the room, even though no one can see you.
• Integrity is actually washing your hands with soap after using the bathroom, instead of just running water and pretending you washed them.
• Integrity is turning off the tablet or TV when your timer goes off, instead of sneaking extra minutes when mom is busy.
• Integrity is telling Mom the truth that you didn’t finish putting away all your LEGOs like she asked, instead of quickly shoving them under the couch.
• Integrity is telling your teacher the truth that you weren’t listening to the instructions, instead of pretending you know what to do and doing it all wrong.
• Integrity is telling Dad the truth that you’re the one who got mud on the carpet when you came in from playing outside.

SNACK TIME & CENTERS 7:10-7:25

Items Needed

• Coloring Page
• Crayons
• Snack

Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat their snacks. A coloring sheet will be available for kids to color while they eat their snack.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (KJV)

Genesis 39:1-6 “And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.”

Genesis 39:19-23 “And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.”

Genesis 41:15-16 “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Genesis 41:39-41 “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.”

PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET

Today’s Key Takeaway

Joseph’s Integrity

What I Learned Today

Today we learned about Joseph who was taken to Egypt and became a slave. Even though Joseph faced hard times, including being sent to prison for something he didn’t do, he always did what was right because he loved God. God blessed Joseph and helped him become a leader in Egypt. Joseph trusted God in good times and bad times.

Questions to Ask Me

Theological Questions:

1. Who was always with Joseph? (God was always with Joseph)
2. Where did Joseph go when his brothers sold him? (Egypt)
3. Who helped Joseph understand dreams? (God helped Joseph understand dreams)
4. What did Pharaoh’s dream about cows and grain mean? (Seven good years with food, then seven bad years without food)
5. Does God see us even when we’re alone? (Yes, God sees us all the time)

Life Application Questions:

1. Can you do the right thing even when no one is watching you? (Yes, because God always sees me)
2. What is something you can do at home that shows you love God? (Obey mommy and daddy, tell the truth, be kind to my brother/sister, share my toys)
3. How can you be like Joseph when things are hard? (Keep trusting God, keep doing what’s right, pray to God)
4. Who should you tell the truth to even when you might get in trouble? (Always tell the truth to mommy, daddy, and teachers)
5. What can you do when you’re scared or sad? (Pray to God and remember He is always with me, just like He was with Joseph)