This lesson teaches children that God can turn hurtful things into good things, even when people mean harm. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
People can mean to do bad things, but God can use them for good. We can trust God even when we are scared or sad, because he is always watching over 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 both hands on your chest as you say the first half, then open your arms wide and lift them up for “God meant it for good.” Ask the children to do it with you two or three times until it feels like a little dance.
The Story: Genesis 50 for Kids
Joseph was a son of Jacob, and his brothers had once been very mean to him. They sold him to traders who took him far away to Egypt. Years later, Joseph became a powerful helper to the king of Egypt, and he took care of the whole land during a hard time.
When Jacob died, Joseph wanted to bury his father in the land of Canaan, just as his father had asked. The king said, “Go and bury your father, just like you promised.” So Joseph traveled back to Canaan with a very big group of people, including his brothers. They cried and mourned together for seven days.
After the funeral, Joseph’s brothers began to worry. They thought, “Maybe Joseph will be angry and pay us back for what we did.” They sent a message to Joseph, asking him to forgive them. When Joseph heard this, he cried, because he loved his brothers and had never stopped caring about them.
Joseph told his brothers, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You meant to hurt me, but God meant it for good, to save many people.” Then he gave them a warm promise: “I will take care of you and your children.” He spoke kindly to them and made them feel safe.
Joseph lived a long life in Egypt and saw his grandchildren grow up. Before he died, he told his family, “God will surely take care of you and bring you back to the land he promised.” He asked them to remember his promise and carry his bones there one day. Then Joseph died at the age of one hundred ten, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Read It Together
Genesis 50:1-2
1 Joseph fell on his father’s face, wept on him, and kissed him. 2 Joseph commanded his servants, the physicians, to embalm his father; and the physicians embalmed Israel.
(WEB)
Point out how Joseph showed love to his father even though he was a powerful man now. Explain that loving our family members with tender actions is one way we honor them.
Genesis 50:15-17
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.” 16 They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, 17 ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
(WEB)
Help the children notice that the brothers were scared and wanted forgiveness. Talk about how it feels to be worried about what someone might do to us, and how honest sorrow can open the door to forgiveness.
Genesis 50:21
Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.
(WEB)
Point out that Joseph did not just forgive his brothers in words but promised to take care of them. Show that real forgiveness often includes kind actions that help people feel safe and loved.
Talk About It
- What do you think Joseph’s brothers felt when they were worried about what he might do?
- How do you think Joseph felt when he heard that his brothers were scared of him?
- Can you remember a time when someone did something unkind to you, and then something good happened later?
- What is one way you can show kindness to someone who has hurt you or your friends?
- How can knowing that God is always watching over us help us feel brave when we are afraid?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Good Plan
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of something bad that happened to them or someone else, then draw a second picture showing how God could bring something good out of it. Let them share their drawings and talk about how God can bring good out of hard times.
Forgiveness Hug Relay
You will need a open space and two chairs at opposite ends of the room. Divide the children into two teams and have them line up behind the chairs. A child runs to the other side, gives a gentle high five or hug to a teammate, and then runs back to tag the next child. Explain that kind actions help people feel safe, just like Joseph did for his brothers.
Family Promise Card
You will need index cards, stickers, and a marker. Have each child write a short promise to a family member, such as “I will help you with the dishes” or “I will pray for you when you are sad.” Help them decorate the card and place it somewhere the family will see it. Encourage the children to remember that Joseph kept his promise to care for his family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Genesis 50 shows how God is sovereign over human sin and suffering, working through events that people intended for harm to accomplish his good purposes. Joseph’s words “Am I in the place of God?” reflect humility, recognizing that justice and vengeance belong to God alone. This passage also reveals a pattern of reconciliation that points forward to the forgiveness and restoration God offers through Christ.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God causes every bad thing that happens or that they must instantly forgive anyone who hurts them. Focus on the truth that God can bring good out of hard situations and that he cares for them even when they are afraid.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you can make good things come from hard times. Help us to be kind and forgiving like Joseph, and help us trust you when we feel scared or sad. Remind us that you are always watching over us and taking care of us. Amen.
