🔥Chapter 4 – Mature Relationship

30 mins:   [🔥]

Preparation

• Print one copy of the puzzle sheet for each group.
• Cut out all the letters from each puzzle sheet and place them into separate envelopes.
• Divide the children into small groups and give one envelope to each group.

Instructions

Tell the children:

Work together to rearrange the letters and discover the core message we have been learning throughout Unit 3.

Allow the groups a few minutes to discuss and arrange the letters. Once everyone has finished, invite each group to share their answer.

Answer

Relationship with God

30 mins:   [🔥]

Bible Passage: Genesis 37, 39-42, 45, 46, 47, 50
Bible Event: Joseph experiences God

[Please share the story in detail. The following is only an outline for your guidance.]

Joseph experiences God

Jacob had twelve sons. Joseph was the eleventh. Because Joseph was born when Jacob was very old, Jacob loved him dearly. He even gave Joseph a beautiful, multi-coloured coat. This made Joseph’s older brothers very jealous.

When Joseph was 17 years old, God gave him two special dreams. Both dreams showed that one day Joseph’s family would bow down before him. Instead of being happy, his brothers hated him even more.

One day, when Joseph was alone, his brothers captured him and sold him to a group of Ishmaelite traders who were travelling to Egypt. Then they lied to their father, telling him that a wild animal had killed Joseph.

Can you imagine how heartbroken Jacob must have been? He believed he had lost his favourite son forever.

Joseph in Potiphar’s House

When Joseph arrived in Egypt, he was sold to Potiphar, an important officer who served Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Potiphar was the captain of the royal guard.

Joseph could have become angry or bitter because of everything that had happened to him. Instead, he chose to work faithfully and do his very best. The Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph, and everything he did prospered.

Potiphar soon noticed this. He trusted Joseph so much that he put him in charge of his entire household. Joseph managed everything so well that Potiphar hardly had to worry about anything—except deciding what to eat each day!

But then Potiphar’s wife noticed Joseph. One day she tempted him to do something that was wrong.

Joseph refused. He said,

“How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

Potiphar’s wife became angry. She lied about Joseph and falsely accused him of doing something he had never done. Potiphar believed her. He became furious and threw Joseph into the prison where the king’s prisoners were kept. This was the second time Joseph suffered for something he had not done. First, he was mistreated by his own family. Now he was punished unfairly at work.

Ask the children:
What do you do when someone blames you for something you didn’t do?
(Let the children answer.)

Joseph in Prison

Even in prison, Joseph continued to trust God. He worked faithfully, helped the other prisoners, and did everything with a good attitude. The Lord was with Joseph there too and showed him His faithful love. Before long, the prison warden placed Joseph in charge of all the prisoners and everything that happened in the prison. The warden didn’t have to worry because Joseph took care of everything.

Two Strange Dreams

Some time later, two of Pharaoh’s officials—the chief cupbearer and the chief baker—were thrown into prison. Joseph was asked to look after them.

One night, both men had unusual dreams. The next morning they looked troubled. Joseph noticed and asked, “Why do you look so worried today?” When they told him about their dreams, Joseph replied,

“Only God can tell the meaning of dreams.”

God helped Joseph understand both dreams. Joseph explained that in three days, the chief cupbearer would be restored to his position in Pharaoh’s palace, while the chief baker would be executed. Everything happened exactly as Joseph had said.

Before the cupbearer left prison, Joseph made one simple request. “Please remember me when you return to Pharaoh. I was brought here unfairly.” But once the cupbearer was back in the palace, he completely forgot about Joseph.

Two whole years passed. Joseph kept serving faithfully, even though it seemed like everyone had forgotten him.

But God had not forgotten him.

From the Prison to the Palace

One night, Pharaoh had two troubling dreams. None of the wise men in Egypt could explain what they meant. Suddenly, the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh about the young Hebrew man in prison who had correctly interpreted his dream. Pharaoh immediately sent for Joseph. Joseph was quickly brought out of prison, cleaned himself up, changed his clothes, and stood before the king.

Pharaoh said, “I have heard that you can interpret dreams.”

Joseph answered,

“It is not in me. God will give Pharaoh the answer.”

Joseph did not take the credit for himself. He gave all the glory to God. God helped Joseph explain the dreams. There would be seven years of great harvest, followed by seven years of terrible famine. Joseph also suggested a wise plan: store grain during the years of plenty so there would be food during the famine. Pharaoh was amazed. He saw that God’s wisdom was with Joseph and appointed him as governor over all Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. In just one day, God lifted Joseph from the prison to the palace.

God’s Promise Comes True

Joseph’s story did not end there. Years later, the famine spread across many countries. But because Joseph had prepared wisely, Egypt had plenty of food. Joseph’s brothers travelled to Egypt to buy grain. Without realizing who he was, they bowed down before him—just as God had shown Joseph in his dreams many years earlier. Later, Joseph revealed his identity. His brothers were shocked. Jacob, Joseph’s father, came to Egypt and was overjoyed to discover that Joseph was alive.

Joseph Chooses Forgiveness

Many years later, Jacob died after blessing all his sons. Now Joseph’s brothers became afraid. “What if Joseph wants revenge?” they wondered. They came before Joseph, bowed down, and said, “We are your servants.”

But Joseph replied,

“Don’t be afraid. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good… I will provide for you and your children.”

Instead of taking revenge, Joseph forgave his brothers and cared for them. And so Jacob’s family continued to live safely in Egypt.

20 mins:   [🔥]

Group Discussion: Joseph’s Super Power

Divide the children into small groups and ask them to discuss the following questions. Encourage each group to present their answers to everyone.

Questions

1. What was Joseph’s super power?
Answer: God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams.

2. How did Joseph use his super power?
Answer: He used it to help people, give hope, and eventually save Egypt and many other nations from famine.

3. Where did Joseph’s super power come from?

Clue

Read through Joseph’s replies to different people in the story. Look for the one word that keeps appearing.

“How could I sin against God?”
(Genesis 39:9)

“Do not interpretations belong to God?”
(Genesis 40:8)

“It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh the answer.”
(Genesis 41:16)

After the discussion, invite each group to share what they discovered.

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Teacher’s Conclusion

The answer is God.

Joseph saw God in everything.

• When he faced temptation, he thought about God.
• When someone needed help, he pointed them to God.
• When he became successful, he gave the credit to God.

Joseph wasn’t focused on himself or on the people around him. He kept his eyes on God in every situation.

God is everywhere, but not everyone experiences His presence in the same way. The people who experience God most are the ones who intentionally seek Him and choose to see Him at work in every part of their lives. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?”, they ask, “God, what are You doing in this situation?”

Joseph’s greatest strength wasn’t simply that he could interpret dreams. His greatest strength was his relationship with God. Because he stayed close to God, God gave him wisdom, guidance, and the ability to bless many people.

Reflection

Ask the children:

• When you face a difficult situation, who do you think about first?
• When something good happens, who gets the credit?
• This week, how can you include God in your everyday life?

Remind the children that when we walk closely with God, He gives us the wisdom and strength we need to help others and honour Him in everything we do.