Joseph & His Brothers Reunited (Ages 3-6)

Story Time:

Genesis 45 

Note to parents: To read the entire story for background info you can also read Genesis 42-44 

This is the final story in our journey with Joseph. We have learned a lot about him and God’s plan for him. Joseph was sold by his brothers, put into prison, helped people with their dreams, given control over Pharaoh’s land and helped Pharaoh save Egypt from famine. Famine means that there was no food and people were starving. Now there was famine in the land around Egypt where Josephs brothers and father still lived and when they heard about Egypt having food, Joseph’s father, Jacob, sent his brothers there to get food. It had been such a long time that his brothers didn’t even recognize Joseph as their brother and when Joseph saw them, he was so excited that he revealed himself and hugged them! Joseph had forgiven his brothers and was reunited with them and his father.  

Lesson:

Wow! It took a long time and a lot of hard things for Joseph to be reconciled with his family. Do you remember what reconciliation means? Reconciliation means being brought back together. God used Joseph for many things and when Joseph trusted Him through all his hard times, he was able to be with his family and have a happy ending. Sometimes it might be really hard to forgive someone after they have hurt you but if we trust God that can help us forgive because that is what He wants us to do.  

Things to think about: 

Has someone ever hurt your feelings? 

How did you forgive them?  

Remember that when you are feeling sad, you can pray and talk to God about how you’re feeling and that will help you feel better!  

Activity: 

Materials: colored paper, marker, stickers, hole punch, string, scissors 

• • With help from an adult cut out a heart shape from your choice of colored paper.
  • On one side of the heart write “Joseph loved God and his family”.
  • On the other side of the heart write “Love God” Deuteronomy 6:5.
  • If you want, you can also decorate your heart with stickers.
  • Punch a hole in the top of your heart and tie the string through the hole so you can hang your heart somewhere as a reminder of Joseph’s story and his love for God and his family.  

Pray together:

Dear God, thank you for showing me how to forgive through Joseph’s story. Help me to remember to always love others and trust you. Amen