Dear Parents, We hope the following summary of the Sunday School lesson will help you in discussing the lesson with your children and in working through this booklet together. SCRIPTURE PASSAGE: Genesis 45-50
Joseph The One Who Chose to Obey
BIBLE STORY SUMMARY: Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, and they were afraid. He told them that he forgave them and that it was really God’s plan that he was in Egypt to save lives. He sent for his entire family to come to Egypt, and they settled in the best part of the land. After his father died many years later, his brothers still did not accept that Joseph had forgiven them. LESSON FOCUS: To understand that Joseph offered forgiveness to his brothers, but they did not accept it. To understand that Jesus offers forgiveness for my sin, but I must accept it. WHAT I LEARN ABOUT GOD: God is willing to forgive me no matter what I have done, just as Joseph forgave his brothers after they had done something terrible to him. LET’S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE’VE LEARNED: When his brothers learned who he was, what did Joseph tell them to take away their fears? (He told them to not be afraid. He also told them that
God Offers His Gift of Forgiveness
God had brought him to Egypt to save lives.)
What did Jacob do when he learned that Joseph was alive? (He didn’t believe it at first. Then, he was joyful and said he would go and see Joseph in Egypt.) What did Jacob stop to do on the way to Egypt? (He stopped in Beersheba to offer sacrifices to God and worship.) Why did Joseph’s brothers worry after Jacob died? (They did not receive Joseph’s forgiveness. They were worried that he would now try to get even.) Why did this make Joseph so sad? (He thought they understood that he had already forgiven them.) What does it mean to forgive? (You lay down your right to get even and instead, you treat those who have hurt you with kindness.)
Will you ask God for His power to forgive those who have hurt you and give up your right to get even? Have you confessed your sin to God and received His gift of forgiveness and eternal life?
See you on Sunday!
Copyright 2007 Berean Baptist Church 309 E. Co. Rd. 42 Burnsville, MN 55306 952-432-7168
Joseph’s Family This Week’s Memory Verse: We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. Romans 8:28-29a
November 17, 2013
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Monday – Seeing God’s Plan
Saturday – This Week’s Puzzle
God's gift of Forgiveness
Read: Genesis 45:1-8 When Joseph couldn’t stand it any longer, he cried, and then he told his brothers, “I am Joseph!” His brothers were not only speechless, they were also
t___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ .
Why do you think they felt this way?
Joseph might try to pay them back they thought Joseph was lying they couldn’t defend themselves Joseph had a big knife
Did Joseph want them to be afraid? yes no
Joseph told them, “Do not be
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___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
and do not be yourselves for
a___
s___
___
___
___ with
___ ___ ___ ___ ___
me here.“
Joseph gave forgiveness to his brothers, because he knew that it was ___ ___ ___ who sent him to Egypt to
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___ ___ ___ by a great deliverance.
s___
___ ___ Unscramble each of the clue words. Copy the letters in the numbered cells to other cells with the same number.
Friday – Forgive Others as He has Forgiven Us
Tuesday – Jacob Worships God
Read: Ephesians 4:32
Read: Genesis 45:8-46:6
Can you fill in the blanks?
Joseph told his brothers to hurry back to Jacob and tell him to come to Egypt. He was so happy to see all his brothers.
Be
c___
k___
___ ___ and
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ to one
f___
a___
Would you be excited to see your family again, especially because you thought you would never see them again? ____________ !!
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ,
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ each
o___ ___ ___ ___ , just as in C___ ___ ___ ___ ___ G___ ___ f___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ y___ ___ ! Do you find it hard to forgive someone who has been mean to you? Check the boxes by the feelings you have had sometimes.
It’s not fair I have rights too I’m going to hurt them for hurting me I just can’t forgive That person doesn’t deserve my forgiveness
It is natural to feel that way, it’s called SIN. God asks us to forgive others, just as He has forgiven us. When you refuse to forgive others, you are disobeying God. The good news is that God will give you the power to forgive when you make the choice to obey Him. God gives us His ability to let go of the wrong things others have done. He is able to take away our desire to get even. Will you ask God to help you forgive those who have hurt you? yes no Will you choose to forgive rather than get even? yes no Will you let God use the hard things in your life to make you act just like Jesus? yes no
Joseph gave his brothers carts and Pharaoh filled the carts with all kinds of good things for their journey home. What were some of these gifts? _____________________________________ When
s___ b___
Jacob
heard
___
___
that
his
___
son ___
was ___
alive, .
he He
was didn’t
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ his sons. But when he saw the
carts, his
s___
___
___
___
___ was revived.
Jacob was
convinced! After setting out to see Joseph, Jacob stopped at Bersheba to offer
s___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ in a spirit of
worship to God. How do you like to worship God? ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Will you take some time and worship God right now? Think of five different things which you want to thank Him for today.
Wednesday – The Brothers Hadn’t Learned
Thursday – God Intended It for Good
Read: Genesis 47:11 and 50:13-17
Read: Genesis 50:19-23
What kind of land did Joseph and the Pharaoh give to Joseph’s father and brothers? dry mountainous pretty good the best part not so good flooded with water
Can you remember some of the hard things in Joseph’s life?
Do you think Joseph had really forgiven his brothers? yes for sure probably no
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against them for all the wrong they had done to him. They even lied about what their father said before he died. Because his brothers didn’t believe in his forgiveness it made him feel so bad that he
w__
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________
After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were worried that he would hold a
g___
___________________________________________________
__ __ .
Is it easy for you to forgive others? hard easy depends on what they did Is it easy for you to receive forgiveness from others? usually always not very often Can you think of someone you should forgive today? Who? ________ For what? ______________________________ Who? ________ For what? ______________________________
Can you list some of the good that God brought about through the hardships of his life? _______________________________ ____________________________ __________________________ _____________________________ We know that Joseph’s brothers intended to harm him but God used the difficult things in Joseph’s life for good to accomplish His plan. God’s plan was to use Joseph to save lives. Does God have a good plan for you? I think so
Absolutely
How old was Joseph when he died? ____________ Did God keep all of His promises to Joseph? no
yes
Thank You, God, that You always keep Your promises!