In this lesson, children learn that God can turn hurtful things into good things, even when people mean harm. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God can take something bad that people do and use it for good. We can trust Him even when we feel hurt, and we can choose to forgive the people who hurt us.
Memory Verse
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is today, to save many people alive.
(WEB)
Put your hands on your heart when you say the first part, then open your hands wide toward the sky for the second part. Say it together three times with the motions, then try once with your eyes closed.
The Story: Genesis 50 for Kids
Joseph’s father, Jacob, died in Egypt. Joseph was very sad. He cried and hugged his father one last time. Then he asked the servants of Pharaoh, the king, to help him take his father back to the land of Canaan so he could be buried there, just as his father had asked.
Many people went with Joseph. There were servants, leaders, and even chariots and horsemen. When they reached a threshing floor, they stopped and mourned for seven days. The people who lived there saw how much they were crying and said, “This is a very deep sadness for the Egyptians.” Joseph’s family buried Jacob in a cave in Canaan, just as he wanted.
After the burial, Joseph’s brothers started to worry. They had sold Joseph into slavery many years before. Now their father was gone, and they feared Joseph would finally pay them back for the wrong they had done. They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Please forgive us.”
When Joseph heard this, he cried. His brothers came and bowed down before him and said, “We are your servants.” Joseph looked at them kindly and said, “Don’t be afraid. Am I God? No. You meant to do harm to me, but God meant it for good.”
Joseph told his brothers that he would take care of them and their families. He spoke kindly to them and comforted them. Joseph lived a long life, and before he died, he told his family that God would one day bring them back to the land He had promised. He asked them to carry his bones with them when they left Egypt.
Read It Together
Genesis 50:15
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.”
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph’s brothers were scared and worried. Ask the children why they think the brothers felt afraid, and remind them that feeling scared is a normal part of being human.
Genesis 50:19-21
19 Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is today, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.
(WEB)
Show how Joseph chose to comfort his brothers instead of getting revenge. Help the children notice the words “don’t be afraid” and “I will take care of you,” and talk about how those words show kindness.
Genesis 50:24
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph trusted God’s promise to bring his family home, even after he died. Explain that God keeps His promises, even when the people involved cannot see how things will turn out.
Talk About It
- What do you think Joseph felt when he saw his brothers bowing down in front of him?
- Why do you think Joseph said “you meant it for harm, but God meant it for good”?
- Can you think of a time when someone hurt you, and you chose to forgive them?
- How did Joseph show that he trusted God to take care of his family?
- What is one thing you can do this week to show kindness to someone who has upset you?
Activity Ideas
Turn the Mess into a Picture
You will need paper, crayons, and a few scraps of colored paper or torn tissue. Ask each child to draw a simple picture of something hard that happened to someone in the story. Then have them glue torn paper pieces over parts of the picture to show how God can turn something messy into something beautiful. Talk together about what new picture came out of the mess.
Sad Walk, Happy Walk
Clear a space in the room and line up the children. Call out “sad” and have them walk slowly with droopy shoulders. Call out “forgiven” and have them skip or clap as they walk. Mix the calls up. Then ask, “How did it feel to go from sad to happy?” Connect the movement to Joseph’s sadness and the joy of forgiveness.
Forgiveness Jar at Home
You will need a clean jar and small slips of paper. Each family member writes or draws one thing they forgive someone for during the week and drops it in the jar. At the end of the week, read the slips together and thank God that He can make good come from hard things. Keep the jar on the table as a reminder.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Joseph’s life was shaped by painful betrayal, yet he understood that God was working through all of it. He did not deny what his brothers did, but he refused to take God’s place as judge. The chapter also shows that forgiveness and comfort are part of God’s care for families, even when relationships have been broken.
With children, avoid suggesting that bad things are always God’s plan or that they should stay quiet when they are hurt. Be clear that what the brothers did was wrong and that adults should help children stay safe. The lesson is about trusting God to bring good out of hard things, not about pretending that hurt does not matter.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You can bring good out of hard things. Help us trust You when things feel sad or unfair. Help us forgive others the way Joseph forgave his brothers. Remind us that You keep Your promises, always. Amen.
