In this lesson children learn that God was watching over Joseph’s family even when things looked scary and sad. Kids aged 5 to 11 can follow along in about 20 to 30 minutes, and the story works well with a few simple props and some movement.
Big Idea
God is always with us, even when we don’t understand what is happening. He can take hard, confusing times and use them for good. We can trust Him, even when we feel scared.
Memory Verse
Genesis 42:1
Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”
(WEB)
Have the children look at one another, then shrug and turn their palms up, the way Jacob’s sons did when they were puzzled. Then ask them to clap once, slowly, to show that the family was waiting for news of food. Repeat the verse together while you do the actions.
The Story: Genesis 42 for Kids
A long time ago there was a great hunger in the land. Jacob lived in Canaan with his sons, and there was no food to eat. Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, so he said to his sons, “Go down there and buy food for us, so that we will not die.” Ten of the brothers got ready and traveled to Egypt. Jacob kept his youngest son, Benjamin, at home because he was afraid something bad might happen to him.
When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they met the man in charge of all the grain. They did not know it, but this man was their brother Joseph, whom they had sold long ago. Joseph knew them right away. He pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. He said, “You are spies! You have come to look at our land.” The brothers said, “No, sir, we are honest men. We only came to buy food. We are twelve brothers, and our youngest is at home with our father.”
Joseph wanted to test them. He put them in prison for three days. Then he said, “Go home and bring your youngest brother to me. One of you will stay here until you come back.” The brothers felt terrible. They said to each other, “We are guilty about our brother. We did not listen when he begged us for help.” Joseph heard them talking, but they did not know he understood every word. He turned away and cried.
Joseph sent the brothers home with grain, but he kept Simeon with him. When the brothers opened their bags, they found their money inside. They were scared and said, “What has God done to us?” When they got home, they told Jacob everything. Jacob was very sad and said, “All these things are against me!” The brothers knew they would have to bring Benjamin to Egypt, or they would never get more food.
The family faced a hard choice, and they could not see how it would end. But God was still at work, and Joseph was watching over his family. The story was not over yet.
Read It Together
Genesis 42:6
Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth.
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph was in charge of all the grain, and that his brothers bowed low before him without knowing who he was. Ask the children to notice that God had placed Joseph in a position of power, even though the brothers had hurt him long before.
Genesis 42:21-22
21 They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22 Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required.”
(WEB)
Show the children how the brothers finally admitted they had done wrong. Explain that feeling sorry for our sins is an important step, and that God hears us when we tell Him the truth about what we have done.
Genesis 42:36
Jacob, their father, said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children! Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin away. All these things are against me.”
(WEB)
Help the children hear how sad and worried Jacob felt. Remind them that God cares about our feelings, and that we can tell Him when we are scared or discouraged, just as Jacob did.
Talk About It
- How do you think Joseph felt when he saw his brothers again after so many years?
- Why do you think the brothers were afraid when they found their money in their sacks?
- What is something you have been scared about, and what helps you feel safe?
- Why did Jacob feel like everything was against him, and what could he have trusted instead?
- How can you remember that God is still working, even when a situation feels confusing?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Hidden Blessing
Give each child a sheet of paper and some crayons. Ask them to draw a picture of the grain sacks, with a small surprise tucked inside, like a bundle of money. Explain that God was working in ways the brothers could not see. Let the children talk about one way they have seen God working in their own life, even when they did not understand it at first.
Brothers and Bags Game
Set up two bowls on one side of the room to act as the grain store and two chairs for the brothers. Have children take turns carrying a small toy bag back and forth between the bowls, pretending to make the trip to Egypt and home again. Call out “Joseph is watching!” at random moments, and everyone freezes in a pose. This helps children move and remember the sequence of the story.
Trust Jar at Home
Find an empty jar and a few slips of paper. Ask the family to write one worry on each slip and fold it up. Place the slips in the jar together, and pray over them. Keep the jar in a visible place and open it once a week to look at what God has helped you through. This gives children a simple way to remember that God is faithful in hard times.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Genesis 42 shows how God can work through complicated family history and hard seasons, even when people act in ways that cause pain. Joseph’s brothers had sinned against him, yet God used these events to preserve the family. The chapter also shows the brothers beginning to face their guilt, which is a turning point in their story.
With children, avoid suggesting that God wanted Joseph to be sold or that the brothers’ sin was part of a plan that excuses their actions. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and care, and be honest that the brothers did wrong.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are always with us, even when we feel scared or do not understand what is happening. Help us trust You when things are hard, and help us remember that You are working for good. Thank You for loving us and watching over our family. Amen.
