This lesson teaches children that God is with us even when our family or friends treat us unfairly. It is best for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and the activity.
Big Idea
God was with Joseph even when his brothers were mean to him. God is with us too, even when people are unkind.
Memory Verse
Genesis 37:2
This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands over their hearts and then slowly open them, as if letting go of a worry. Say the verse together three times, opening your hands a little more each time. This gives them a motion to link with the words.
The Story: Genesis 37 for Kids
Joseph was seventeen years old, and he was the favorite son of his father, Jacob. Jacob made him a special coat with many colors. Joseph’s brothers saw the coat and were jealous, and they did not like to talk nicely to him.
Joseph had dreams. In one dream, the sheaves of wheat from his brothers bowed down to his sheaf. In another dream, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to him. When he told his brothers, they got angrier and said, “Will you really be our king?”
One day, the brothers were far away with the sheep. Their father sent Joseph to check on them. When the brothers saw him coming, they made a plan to hurt him. Reuben, the eldest, said, “Let’s not kill him. Throw him in a pit instead.” So they took off his coat and put him in an empty pit.
Later, some traders came by on their way to Egypt. Judah said, “Let’s sell him instead of letting him die.” The brothers sold Joseph for twenty pieces of silver. Then they dipped his coat in goat’s blood and took it home to their father.
Jacob saw the bloody coat and was very sad. He thought a wild animal had killed his son, and he cried for many days. Meanwhile, Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold to a man named Potiphar, who was an officer of Pharaoh.
Read It Together
Genesis 37:5-8
5 Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed down to my sheaf.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Will you indeed reign over us? Or will you indeed have dominion over us?” They hated him all the more for his dreams and for his words.
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph shared his dreams honestly, and his brothers’ jealousy grew. Ask the children how they feel when someone seems to get more attention than they do.
Genesis 37:21-22
21 Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life.” 22 Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.
(WEB)
Show the children that Reuben tried to save Joseph’s life, even though he did not stop the whole plan. Talk about how one person speaking up for what is right can make a difference.
Genesis 37:27-28
27 Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh.” His brothers listened to him. 28 Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt.
(WEB)
Explain that Joseph was sold, but this was not the end of his story. Let children know that God was still at work, even in this sad moment, which we will see as the story continues.
Talk About It
- What do you think Joseph felt when his brothers threw him in the pit?
- Why do you think his brothers were so angry about his coat and his dreams?
- What is one way you could be kind to someone who is treated unfairly?
- How can you tell when a friend or family member is feeling jealous?
- What is one thing you can do when you feel scared or sad, like Joseph?
Activity Ideas
Draw Joseph’s Colorful Coat
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a simple shirt shape and then fill it with bright stripes, patterns, or colors. Encourage them to talk about why the coat was so special to Joseph and why his brothers were upset by it.
Sheaves Bow Down Game
You will need a few soft balls or rolled-up socks. Have the children stand in a circle and pass a ball around. Each time someone passes the ball, they bow slightly, like the sheaves bowing in Joseph’s dream. End by reminding them that God cares for each person in the circle.
Take Home Verse Card
You will need index cards and a pencil. Write the memory verse reference on one side and draw a simple picture of an open hand on the other side. Let each child take the card home and say the verse to a parent or sibling during the week. This helps the lesson stay with them after class.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows how God can work through painful events. Joseph was betrayed by his own family and sold into slavery, yet the chapter reminds us that God was not absent from his suffering. Adults can see that God’s plans often unfold over time, beyond what we can see in the moment.
With children, avoid suggesting that God will always make hard things turn out well right away. Joseph’s story takes many years, and some difficulties continue for a long time. Focus on the truth that God is with us, rather than promising quick results.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are with us when things feel hard or unfair. Help us be kind to others, even when they are not kind to us. Help us trust that you care for us every day. Amen.
