In this lesson, children learn that God can use even hard things for good, and that forgiveness can bring a family back together. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions and one activity.
Big Idea
God is always at work, even when bad things happen, and he can bring good out of them. Joseph forgave his brothers because he trusted that God had a plan.
Memory Verse
Genesis 45:5
Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart, then slowly open them out in front of you like a gift. Say the verse together while you move, so the children remember that God sends good things even through hard times.
The Story: Genesis 45 for Kids
Joseph’s brothers had once been very mean to him. They sold him to traders who took him to Egypt, and they told their father that Joseph was dead. Many years passed, and Joseph became an important leader in Egypt, second only to the king, Pharaoh.
A terrible famine came to the land, and Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt to buy food. They had no idea that the powerful man in charge was their own brother. Joseph knew them right away, but they did not recognize him at all.
Joseph could not hold back his tears any longer. He sent everyone else out of the room and then said, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers were so scared that they could not even answer him. Joseph gently asked them to come closer, and they did.
Joseph said, “Don’t be upset with yourselves for selling me. God sent me here before you so that many people would be saved from hunger.” He hugged his brothers and cried with them. Then they began to talk together like a family again.
Pharaoh was happy to hear that Joseph’s family had come. He told Joseph to bring his father, Jacob, and everyone else to Egypt, where they would have good land and plenty of food. Joseph sent wagons and gifts to help them on their way.
When Jacob heard the news, his heart was so happy that he said, “It is enough. My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” God had kept his promise, even though the road had been long and hard.
Read It Together
Genesis 45:1-3
1 Then Joseph couldn’t control himself before all those who stood before him, and he cried, “Cause everyone to go out from me!” No one else stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 He wept aloud. The Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence.
(WEB)
Point out how Joseph could not keep his feelings inside and how his brothers were too frightened to speak. Ask the children to notice that Joseph chose to tell them the truth gently rather than in anger.
Genesis 45:7-8
7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance. 8 So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
(WEB)
Show the children that Joseph saw God’s hand working behind the whole story. Explain that he did not say his brothers were right to hurt him, but that he trusted God to bring something good from it.
Genesis 45:14-15
14 He fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 He kissed all his brothers, and wept on them. After that his brothers talked with him.
(WEB)
Describe how Joseph hugged and cried with his brothers, showing that forgiveness leads to real closeness. Encourage the children to think about how a hug or kind word can help someone feel loved again.
Talk About It
- How do you think Joseph’s brothers felt when they found out who he was?
- What did Joseph’s brothers do that was wrong, and how did Joseph respond?
- Why do you think Joseph said that God had sent him to Egypt?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show forgiveness to someone?
- How does it help you to know that God can use even hard times for good?
Activity Ideas
Joseph’s Coat Craft
Give each child a paper cutout of a shirt or coat, along with crayons, markers and a few scraps of colored paper for patches. Let them decorate their coats however they like. Talk about how Joseph’s coat was a special gift from his father, and ask what kind of gift they would like to give to someone they love.
Wagons and Grain Relay
Set up two cups or bowls at one end of the room and a pile of dry beans or small toy blocks at the other. Let children take turns carrying a few beans in a spoon from the pile to the cup, like the brothers carrying grain home. Cheer for everyone who finishes, and remind them that families help each other.
Forgiveness Hug Card
Fold a sheet of construction paper in half and let each child draw a picture of a hug or a heart on the front. Inside, have them write or draw one way they can forgive someone this week. Ask them to take the card home and share it with a family member as a reminder of Joseph’s kindness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God’s sovereign plan can work through human sin and suffering without excusing that sin. Joseph’s forgiveness is rooted in his trust that God is faithful, and the reconciliation with his brothers points to the larger story of God restoring what was broken.
With children, avoid suggesting that God caused the brothers to sell Joseph or that all suffering is part of a neat plan we can always see. Focus instead on the truth that God can bring good out of hard things and that forgiveness is a choice we can make with his help.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are always at work, even when things feel hard or sad. Help us to forgive others the way Joseph forgave his brothers, and help us trust that you can bring good out of every situation. Thank you for loving us and for keeping your promises. Amen.
