Joseph & His Brothers Reunited (Grades 1-4)

Story Time:

Genesis 45, for more background you can also read Genesis 42-44 

This week we finally learn about how God’s plan has worked out for Joseph. It’s been a really long time and Joseph has been trusting in God the whole time. Remember Joseph was sold by his brothers, put into prison, helped people with their dreams, was given power over Pharaoh’s land and help Pharaoh come up with a plan to save Egypt from famine. Famine means that there was no food and people were starving. In the lands around Egypt there was famine, and this included where Joseph’s brothers and father lived. Joseph’s father heard about Egypt having food and sent his brothers there to get some for his family. It had been many years since his brothers had seen Joseph and they didn’t recognize him. Finally, Joseph couldn’t stand it any longer and told them who he was and hugged and kissed them! Joseph had forgiven his brothers and was reunited with his family.  

Lesson:

Wow! What a story! Joseph is finally reconciled with his family after all those years of suffering. Do you remember the word reconciliation? Reconciliation means coming back together. Joseph trusted in God and His plan for him and was led to reconciliation with his family. Joseph forgave because that is what God told him to do. God tells us to forgive which can be really hard when we are hurt by someone. Sometimes it takes a really long time but that’s okay! God has a plan for all of us and if we trust in His timing, things will work out how they are supposed to.  

Things to think about: 

Has someone ever hurt your feelings? 

How did you forgive them?  

If you haven’t forgiven them yet, think about how you can do that and how God can help you. In this story Joseph and his family came back together but sometimes that doesn’t happen for us and that is okay. If someone hurts you and you can’t be reconciled that’s okay too. God just asks that we forgive and have peace in our hearts. You can always pray and ask God to help you forgive someone and for Him to give you peace.  

Activities: 

1. 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.  
   
   
   
2. Make a list of everything you have in your life that you are thankful for.
   Think about things that aren’t just things but maybe people or things you have gotten to do. When we remember the blessings we have it helps us to be more positive and trust that God is giving us everything we need and more!