Week 8 · about 45 minutes
Joseph Forgives His Brothers
Genesis 41–45 · Memory verse Ephesians 4:32
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Queues the lesson plan, a coloring page from this part of the Bible (Joseph’s Colorful Coat), the matching word search and answer key (Joseph in Egypt), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a broken crayon taped back together
Hold up a broken crayon taped back together. In about five minutes, tell the class this: Joseph rises to help Egypt through a famine and chooses tears and forgiveness when his brothers return. Show the prop and ask, “What does this have to do with Joseph Forgives His Brothers?” Let two children answer. Then read Ephesians 4:32 together: “And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.” Close by asking one child to say the lesson back in their own words, using the prop.
Story script
In Egypt, God gave Joseph wisdom to explain a dream of the king. Seven good years of harvest were coming, and then seven years of hunger. Joseph stored grain in fat years so there would be bread in thin ones. The forgotten brother became the man who kept a nation fed.
The hunger reached Joseph’s old home. His brothers came to buy grain. They did not recognize the man in Egyptian clothes. Joseph recognized them. He could have paid them back. Instead he tested whether their hearts had changed, and then he could not hold the secret anymore.
Joseph wept so loudly the whole house heard it. “I am Joseph,” he said. “Come close.” He told them God had sent him ahead to save lives. He kissed his brothers. Forgiveness did not pretend the pit never happened. It refused to let the pit have the last word.
Forgiving someone who hurt you may take time and a parent’s help. Joseph shows that forgiveness is strong, not soft. It makes room for a family to eat at the same table again.
Group game
Tell a one-minute story of a hurt, then pass the taped crayon. The child holding it finishes the sentence: I can forgive because God forgave me.
Craft
Draw Joseph opening his arms to his brothers. Write a forgiveness sentence underneath.
Memory verse
Ephesians 4:32
“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”
Take-home prayer
Father, thank you for Joseph’s tears and his mercy. Help me forgive with your strength and trust you with the ending. Amen.