In this lesson, children learn that God takes care of His people even when life is hard, using the story of Joseph bringing his family to Egypt during a long famine. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises and takes care of His family, even when times are hard. He can be trusted in every season, big or small.
Memory Verse
Genesis 47:12
Joseph nourished his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household, with bread, according to their families.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, cupped like a bowl, as if you are receiving food. Then pretend to hand the food to a friend beside you. Say the verse together while you do the motion, so children remember that God provides for His family.
The Story: Genesis 47 for Kids
Many years before this, Joseph had been sold by his brothers and taken to Egypt. God helped Joseph, and he became a leader right under Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Joseph had been put in charge of storing grain, because God had shown Pharaoh that a long famine was coming.
The famine was so bad that people in Egypt and in the land of Canaan had no bread. Joseph’s family back in Canaan was hungry too. Joseph’s father, Jacob, and his brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain, and they had no idea Joseph was in charge of it all.
When Joseph told Pharaoh that his family had come, Pharaoh was kind. He said, “Give your father and brothers the best land, the land of Goshen.” So Joseph set his family in a good place, and he gave them food for every person in their household.
Jacob stood before Pharaoh and blessed him. Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, and Jacob said he had lived a long time, but his days had been hard. Even so, God had been with him all along, and God would still be with his family.
The famine went on, and the people of Egypt ran out of money. Joseph helped them trade their animals and their land for food, so that they would not starve. Through it all, Joseph made sure the people had what they needed to live.
Joseph’s family grew strong in Egypt, just as God had promised. Jacob grew old, and before he died, he asked Joseph to promise that he would be buried back in the land of his fathers. Joseph said he would do it.
Read It Together
Genesis 47:1
Then Joseph went in and told Pharaoh, and said, “My father and my brothers, with their flocks, their herds, and all that they own, have come out of the land of Canaan; and behold, they are in the land of Goshen.”
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph went to tell Pharaoh that his family had arrived. Ask children what they think Joseph’s family felt when they heard that a new place had been found for them to live.
Genesis 47:13-14
13 There was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine. 14 Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.
(WEB)
Show children how bad the famine was, and how Joseph gathered grain for everyone. Point out that God used Joseph to help many people, not just his own family.
Genesis 47:27
Israel lived in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen; and they got themselves possessions therein, and were fruitful, and multiplied exceedingly.
(WEB)
Explain that even in a foreign land, Israel’s family grew and multiplied. Remind children that God kept His promise to make Jacob’s family a great nation.
Talk About It
- How do you think Joseph felt when he saw his family again after so many years?
- What is one thing God gave to Joseph’s family during the hard famine?
- Why do you think Jacob wanted to be buried in his own homeland?
- Can you think of a time when you felt hungry or worried, and what helped you feel safe?
- What is one way you can trust God when things feel hard for you or your family?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Grain Basket
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a small paper bag. Ask each child to draw a basket of bread or grain on the paper and write one thing God provides for them. Glue the drawing to the front of the bag, and let children carry it home as a reminder of God’s care.
Famine and Feast Relay
Set up two spots in a room or yard, one labeled “Famine” and one labeled “Feast.” Have children walk slowly like they are hungry from one spot to the other, then run happily to the feast spot when you call out “God provides!” Talk about how God takes care of His people in both hard and happy times.
Take-Home Bread Prayer Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a small piece of bread or a cracker for each child. Write the verse “Joseph nourished his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household, with bread” on the card, and tuck the bread inside a sandwich bag. Ask children to share the bread with someone at home and say thank you to God for their food.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God keeps His promises even when His people are displaced, hungry, and far from home. Joseph’s faithfulness and God’s providence work together, and the family of Israel is preserved through a famine that threatened to destroy them. The chapter also points forward to God’s larger plan for His people.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that God always gives us exactly what we want, or that trusting Him means we will never have hard times. The story shows God’s faithfulness through difficulty, not the removal of difficulty itself. Keep the focus on God’s care rather than on promises of comfort or success.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for taking care of Your family, just like You took care of Joseph and Jacob. Help us remember that You are with us when life is hard, and that You always keep Your promises. Thank You for the food we eat each day, and for loving us so much. Amen.
