This lesson teaches children that God is with them even when they are in a hard place, and that God can be trusted to know what is happening. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God knows what is happening to us, even when we are stuck in a hard place. Joseph trusted God, and God was with him in the prison.
Memory Verse
Genesis 40:8
They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.”
(WEB)
Ask the children to put both hands on their hearts, then point up to the sky with one finger. Say the verse together while pointing up, to remind them that the answers come from God above.
The Story: Genesis 40 for Kids
Once there was a king in Egypt named Pharaoh. He had two servants who worked closely with him. One was the cup bearer, who poured his drinks, and the other was the baker, who made his bread. One day, Pharaoh became angry with both of them, and he put them in prison.
Joseph was also in that prison. He worked for the guard, and he took care of these two men. One morning, Joseph noticed that they looked very sad. He asked them, “Why do you look so sad today?” They told him they each had a dream the night before, and no one could explain what the dreams meant.
Joseph said, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell me your dream.” The cup bearer told his dream first. He saw a vine with three branches, and he squeezed grapes into Pharaoh’s cup. Joseph told him that in three days, he would be called back to serve Pharaoh again. Joseph asked him to remember him when he got out.
Then the baker told his dream. He saw three baskets of bread on his head, and birds were eating from them. Joseph said that in three days, Pharaoh would take his life. Both men were soon proven right. The cup bearer went back to his job, but the baker was put to death, just as Joseph had said.
Even so, the cup bearer forgot about Joseph. He did not remember him, and Joseph stayed in prison a while longer. God had not forgotten Joseph, though, and God still had a plan for his life.
Read It Together
Genesis 40:14-15
14 But remember me when it will be well with you, and please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph asked for help, and he was honest that he had been taken from his home and did nothing to deserve prison. Let children share times when they felt unfairly treated and how they felt about it.
Genesis 40:20-22
20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cup bearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; 22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.
(WEB)
Show children how the same day brought different results for the two men. Explain that Joseph’s words came true exactly as he said, which showed that God gave him the true answers.
Genesis 40:23
Yet the chief cup bearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.
(WEB)
Talk about how Joseph was forgotten, even though he had helped someone. Remind children that people sometimes forget us, but God never forgets anyone, and he kept Joseph in his care.
Talk About It
- How do you think Joseph felt when the cup bearer forgot about him?
- What did Joseph say was the source of the answers to the dreams?
- Can you think of a time when you had to wait a long time for something good to happen?
- Why is it good to know that God never forgets us, even when people do?
- What is one kind thing you could do for someone who feels sad, like Joseph did?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Prison and a Sunny Window
Give each child a sheet of paper and crayons or markers. Ask them to draw a small prison room with bars on one side, and a bright window with the sun shining through on the other. Explain that God is shining light into hard places, just as Joseph still had God with him. Let them talk about their drawing with a partner.
Grapes, Baskets, and Birds Movement Game
Clear a space in the room. Call out “Vine!” and have children stretch their arms up like branches. Call out “Baskets!” and have them balance an imaginary basket on their heads. Call out “Birds!” and have them flap their arms. Mix up the calls quickly, and talk about how Joseph listened carefully to the dreams before he spoke.
Dream Journal Card for Home
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Ask them to write or draw one thing they are waiting on right now. Suggest they keep the card in a pocket or on the fridge. At dinner, ask them to share what they wrote and remind each other that God knows about it and is with us while we wait.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows adults that God is at work even when a person seems forgotten or stuck. Joseph was faithful in a prison, and his honesty and trust in God stayed with him, even though no one around him remembered him. For adults, it is an encouragement to keep trusting God during long seasons of waiting.
Avoid suggesting to children that doing good things will always bring quick rewards or that God will always get us out of hard places right away. Joseph waited years, and the story gives no promise of a fast escape. Focus on God’s faithfulness and presence rather than on guaranteed outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you know everything that happens to us. When we feel stuck or forgotten, help us remember that you are right here with us. Help us trust you like Joseph did, and help us be kind to others who feel sad. Amen.
