Unit 4 • Session 3 Joseph Saved His Family · 12/3/2018 · Unit 4 • Session 3. the key passage marker at Hosea 13:4. Choose a preschooler to come up and open your Bible to the

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Use Week of:

BIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 42–46; 50

STORY POINT: God used Joseph to save His people.

KEY PASSAGE: Hosea 13:4b

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: Is there anything God cannot do? God

can do all things.

TEACH THE STORY(15–20 MINUTES)

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EXPERIENCE THE STORY(25–30 MINUTES)

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REVIEW THE STORY(10+ MINUTES)

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Unit 4 • Session 3Joseph Saved

His Family

Unit 4 • Session 3

26 Preschool Worship GuideUnit 4 • Session 3

12/16/18

3

LEADER Bible StudyThe land of Egypt enjoyed seven years of plenty before a famine struck, just as Pharaoh had dreamed. During that time, Joseph gathered all the excess food and stored it in the cities. The famine was severe in every land, so Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to everyone who needed it.

Jacob and his family lived in Canaan, and Jacob sent his sons to Egypt for grain. Jacob still felt the sting of losing Joseph. He did not allow his youngest son, Benjamin, to go for fear of losing him too. But Joseph wasn’t dead. He was in Egypt and had been elevated to a position of authority. As his sons headed to Egypt, Jacob had no idea that the journey would lead to a family reunion.

Although Joseph recognized his brothers immediately, they did not recognize him. When Joseph finally revealed his identity to his brothers, they must have been in awe that the brother they sold into slavery was now a powerful leader in Egypt! Would Joseph use his authority to rescue his family from the famine? Or would he avenge his brothers’ evil against him?

What Joseph’s brothers intended for harm, God intended for good. Joseph invited his family to come to Egypt where they could thrive. God clearly used Joseph to provide for Jacob’s family and establish a remnant. As Jacob made his way to Egypt, God spoke to him in a vision and repeated the promise He first made to Abraham: “I will make you into a great nation” (Gen. 46:3).

Joseph and his father’s family stayed in Egypt. Before he died, Joseph reminded his brothers of God’s promise to their family. (See Gen. 50:24.) Despite Egyptian oppression, Jacob’s descendants multiplied. God kept His promise, and through the nation of Israel and the tribe of Joseph’s brother Judah, God worked out His plan to provide His Son, Jesus Christ to redeem people from sin.

27God’s People in Egypt

Joseph Saved His FamilyGenesis 42–46; 50

Jacob and his family needed help. They did not have enough food to eat. No one had enough food to eat! Except in Egypt. So Jacob sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy food. His son Benjamin stayed home.

When the brothers got to Egypt, they bowed down before Joseph, the man in charge of the

food. The brothers thought Joseph was a stranger, but Joseph knew they

were his brothers. Many years before, they sold him as a servant.

Now he had an important job in Egypt and was very powerful. The brothers bowed down to Joseph. Joseph’s dreams from a long time before were coming true.

Joseph said, “Are you here to spy on the land?”

The brothers said, “No! We are brothers. We have another

brother at home.”Joseph said, “Go home and

bring back your brother.”Joseph gave the brothers some

food, and they went home. The brothers told their father everything that had happened,

and their father was very upset. But when all the food was gone, Jacob asked his sons to go back to Egypt.

So the brothers took money to buy food. They took their brother Benjamin and a special gift for Joseph. The brothers gave Joseph the

Bible Storytelling Tips

• Listen for a word: Tell preschoolers to listen closely for the word food. Every time a preschooler hears food, he should pat his stomach.

• Draw the story: As you tell the Bible story, draw stick figures on a dry erase board to represent Joseph and his brothers. Show how the brothers traveled to and from Egypt. Include drawings of bags of grain as they appear in the story.

The BIBLE Story


Joseph Saved His FamilyGenesis 42–46; 50

Jacob and his family needed help. They did not have enough food to eat. No one had enough food to eat! Except in Egypt. So Jacob sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to buy food. His son Benjamin stayed home.

When the brothers got to Egypt, they bowed down before Joseph, the man in charge of the

food. The brothers thought Joseph was a stranger, but Joseph knew they

were his brothers. Many years before, they sold him as a servant.

Now he had an important job in Egypt and was very powerful. The brothers bowed down to Joseph. Joseph’s dreams from a long time before were coming true.

Joseph said, “Are you here to spy on the land?”

The brothers said, “No! We are brothers. We have another

brother at home.”Joseph said, “Go home and

bring back your brother.”Joseph gave the brothers some

food, and they went home. The brothers told their father everything that had happened,

and their father was very upset. But when all the food was gone, Jacob asked his sons to go back to Egypt.

So the brothers took money to buy food. They took their brother Benjamin and a special gift for Joseph. The brothers gave Joseph the

Bible Storytelling Tips

• Listen for a word: Tell preschoolers to listen closely for the word food. Every time a preschooler hears food, he should pat his stomach.

• Draw the story: As you tell the Bible story, draw stick figures on a dry erase board to represent Joseph and his brothers. Show how the brothers traveled to and from Egypt. Include drawings of bags of grain as they appear in the story.

gift and bowed before him. Joseph invited them to his house, and they all ate a meal together.

Then Joseph told all of his servants and helpers to go away. He turned to the brothers. “I am Joseph, your brother!” he said. “You sold me into Egypt, but I know God sent me here to save a small part of your family by giving them food. Go home and get all of your family members and come back to Egypt. You will have enough food here.”

The brothers went home and told their father everything that had happened. All of Jacob’s family went to Egypt. Jacob hugged Joseph, and they cried happy tears.

When Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were afraid. Was Joseph going to punish them for what they did? No. Joseph said, “You had a bad plan, and you did a bad thing. But God planned it for something good. God’s plan was good, and God’s plan saved the lives of many people.”

Christ Connection: Joseph’s brothers hurt Joseph, but God had a good plan. God used Joseph’s hurt to save His people from hunger. One day, people would hurt God’s Son, Jesus. God’s good plan was to use Jesus’ death to save His people from sin.


TEACH the Story

SESSION TITLE: Joseph Saved His FamilyBIBLE PASSAGE: Genesis 42–46; 50STORY POINT: God used Joseph to save His people.KEY PASSAGE: Hosea 13:4bBIG PICTURE QUESTION: Is there anything God cannot do? God can do all

things.

Welcome and worship with songGreet preschoolers with a smile. As preschoolers arrive, sing an action song such as “It Is Well” to engage them and help them feel welcomed. Begin worship by leading preschoolers in “You Are Good.”

Tell or watch the Bible storyInvite preschoolers to pick a greeting (handshake, hug, or high-five). Move around the group and give each child his selected greeting. Ask children how they like to greet their family members.SAY • Remember how Joseph’s brothers sent him to Egypt,

but God was with Joseph. In today’s Bible story, Joseph saw his brothers again, and later his father, for the first time in a very long time. Listen for how they greeted each other.

Open your Bible to Genesis 42. Show the video or tell the Bible story using the provided storytelling tips. Use the bolded version of the Bible story for young preschoolers.

Practice the key passage and a Bible skillPrint the key passage poster on heavyweight paper. Cut the poster into pieces. Fill a plastic tub with a few inches of uncooked grains. Hide the poster pieces in the grains. Place

• “It Is Well” song• “You Are Good” song

• Bible• “Joseph Saved

His Family” video (optional)

• Bible Story Picture Poster

• Story Point Poster• Giant Timeline

• Bible• Key Passage Poster, 2• heavyweight paper• scissors (adult use)• plastic tub• uncooked grains• Key Passage Marker• “No God But Me” song


the key passage marker at Hosea 13:4. Choose a preschooler to come up and open your Bible

to the key passage. Invite preschoolers to take turns finding a poster piece in the grains. Work together to assemble the key passage poster. Say the key passage aloud. SAY • Our key passage is a great reminder that no one can

save us except God. God used Joseph to save His people, but God was the One who helped Joseph become a powerful leader in Egypt.

Sing the key passage song “No God But Me” together.

Learn the big picture question and answerSAY • Do you remember the big picture question? Is

there anything God cannot do? God can do all things. Remember Joseph’s dream about how his family would bow down to him? God made it really happen! God can do all things!

Respond through song and prayerSAY • God used Joseph to save His people. Joseph’s

brothers hurt Joseph, but God had a good plan. God used Joseph’s hurt to save people from hunger. One day, people would hurt God’s Son, Jesus. God’s good plan was to use Jesus’ death to save people from sin.

Sing “You Are Good” and “The Reason That We Sing” as preschoolers move with the music. Prepare for prayer by singing “Christ the Lord of All.” Collect an offering. SAY • God, You have a good plan, and You can do all

things. You used Jesus’ death to save us from sin. Help us to turn from sin and follow Him. Amen.

Transition to experience the story

• Big Picture Question Poster

• Story Point Poster • “You Are Good” song• “The Reason That We

Sing” song• “Christ the Lord of

All” song• offering basket

• countdown video (optional)


EXPERIENCE the Story


things.

Play “Brother, May I?” Play the traditional game of “Mother, May I?” except use brother instead of mother. If you are unfamiliar with the rules, look them up online before the session. Make sure one of the commands is to bow down. SAY • Joseph dreamed his brothers would bow down to

him, and God made Joseph’s dream happen in real life. God used Joseph to save His people.

Work food puzzlesGather a variety of puzzles depicting food. If food puzzles are unavailable, cut out food images from grocery and restaurant circulars or magazines and glue them onto different colored paper plates. Cut the paper plates into four to six pieces. Invite preschoolers to work the puzzles.SAY • God used Joseph to save His people. Joseph’s

brothers hurt Joseph, but God used Joseph’s hurt to save His people from hunger. One day, people would hurt God’s Son, Jesus. God’s good plan was to use Jesus’ death to save His people from sin.

Decorate boxesWrap several boxes in plain paper. Invite preschoolers to use markers to decorate the boxes. Provide sticky bows to use as

• puzzles depicting food

• grocery and restaurant circulars (optional)

• magazines (optional)• various colors

of paper plates (optional)

• scissors (adult use) (optional)

• glue sticks (optional)

• boxes• plain wrapping paper• markers• adhesive bows


decorations. Talk with preschoolers about what is it like to receive a gift and ask them to recall gifts they have received. SAY • Joseph’s brothers took a special gift for Joseph when

they went back to buy more food. God used Joseph to save His people. Joseph’s brothers hurt Joseph, but God had a good plan. One day, people would hurt God’s Son, Jesus. God’s good plan was to use Jesus’ death to save His people from sin.

Shop for foodInvite preschoolers to play out grocery store scenes. On tables or shelves, arrange plastic play food or clean, empty food boxes or containers. Give each preschooler a shopping bag and some coins or play money to use for their purchases. Choose a preschooler to be the cashier. SAY • Jacob sent Joseph’s brothers to Egypt to buy food. He

did not know his son was in charge of the food in Egypt. God used Joseph to save His people.

Bob for foodSet a bowl of water on table. Add a few small, plastic food items to the bowl. Demonstrate how to use rubber-tipped tongs to “bob” for food. Prompt preschoolers one at a time to pick up a food item with the tongs. Make sure preschoolers do not try to “bob” with their mouths. SAY • God used Joseph to save His people. God used

Joseph’s hurt to save His people from hunger. God used Jesus to save us from a problem much bigger than hunger—sin. God’s good plan was to use Jesus’ death to save His people from sin.

Transition to review the story

• toy food• empty food boxes or

containers• shopping bags• plastic coins or play

money• toy cash register

(optional)

• bowl• water• toy food items• rubber-tipped tongs

Tip: Set a towel by the bowl on which preschoolers may place wet items.

• countdown video (optional)


REVIEW the Story


things.

ReviewPoint to the giant timeline as you review today’s Bible story. Ask the following review questions:

1. Why did Joseph’s family need help? (They did not have enough food to eat.)

2. What did Joseph’s brothers want to buy? (food)3. Did Joseph give food to his brothers? (yes)4. Was Joseph angry with his brothers? (no)5. What did Jacob do when he saw his son Joseph?

(He hugged him and cried happy tears.)6. Is there anything God cannot do? God can do all

things.SAY • God used Joseph to save His people. Joseph’s

brothers hurt him, but God planned to use the hard things that happened to Joseph for good. God used Joseph to save many people from hunger, including his own family. God made sure that people from the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would live because He planned to send His Son, Jesus, through this family. One day, people would hurt Jesus. God’s good plan was to use Jesus’ death to save His people from sin.

Sing the theme song “You Are Good” or the key passage song “No God But Me.”

• Bible• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Giant Timeline• Story Point Poster• Big Picture Question

Poster• Key Passage Poster• “You Are Good” song

(optional) • “No God But Me” song

(optional)


PrayInvite preschoolers to tell you any prayer requests they have.SAY • God, You can do all things. You can even take our

hurt and use it for good. Thank You for Your good plan for Joseph, and thank You even more for Your good plan for us. You planned to use the death of Your Son, Jesus, to save us from sin. Help us to turn from sin and follow Him. Amen.

Missions momentShow the “Prayer Wheel” image.

SAY • This is a prayer wheel. Many people in Nepal say prayers written on prayer wheels like this one to gods who are not real. Let’s pray for the people of Nepal to know they can pray to the one true God. Let’s also pray that they will hear about God’s good plan to use Jesus’ death to save people from sin.

Play a review gameTape the story point poster, big picture question poster, key passage poster, and the Bible story picture posters from the last three sessions to the six sides of a lightweight box or inflatable game cube. Invite preschoolers to take turns tossing the cube. If the story point, big picture question, or key passage land on top, read the text and invite preschoolers to repeat it after you. If a Bible story picture is on top, invite preschoolers to tell you something from the Bible stories. Review the Bible stories as needed. SAY • Joseph’s brothers hurt Joseph, but God had a good

plan. God used Joseph to save His people. One day, people would hurt God’s Son, Jesus. God’s good plan was to use Jesus’ death to save His people from sin.

• “Prayer Wheel” printable

• tape• Story Point Poster • Key Passage Poster• Big Picture Question

Poster • Bible Story Picture

Posters from Sessions 1-3

• lightweight box or Giant Inflatable Game Cube (005630803)


Documents

Unit 4 • Session 3 Joseph Saved His Family · 12/3/2018 · Unit 4 • Session 3. the key passage marker at Hosea 13:4. Choose a preschooler to come up and open your Bible to the