Pharoah's Dreams; Joseph's Triumphs

12/26/2024

Pharoah's Dreams; Joseph's Triumphs by Jennifer Tolbert

The covenant God made with Abraham has now passed to his grandson Jacob. Even though this inheritance was obtained by Jacob through deceptive ways, God continues to work his plan through his family. While Abraham was blessed with his one promised son, Isaac, his family tree continues to grow as his grandson Jacob is blessed with 12 sons.

This lesson continues with the story of the hardships of Joseph, who was faithful each step of the way. His prophetic dreams begin what becomes a riches to rags to riches again, all at the work of God's hand. This turn in the story demonstrates that God can be working a heavenly plan that doesn't always make sense from an earthly point of view.
Key Themes:

We should always do the right thing.
We should be faithful to God in the good times and bad.
God had a plan for Joseph.

Memory Verse

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 NIV

Songs

Books of the Old Testament
Jacob Lived in Canaan
Sons of Jacob Song
Be Careful Little Eyes
The B.I.B.L.E.
He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands
12 Tribes of Israel

Story

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time

Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Dreams
Share a silly dream that you have had. Talk about dreams. Ask the kids to share a dream they can remember.

2. Standing Up from Junior Power Points
Have students form pairs and work with a partner on this activity. Each team will need to place a chair with its back against the wall so it does not slide easily. One person in each team will sit on a chair with their feet flat on the floor. The second person on the team will remain standing and will press with their index finger against their partner’s forehead while the person who is seated will try to rise to their feet. Discuss how difficult it was to stand up. Sometimes other people or Satan blocks our path or keeps us from being able to stand for what is right.

3. A Picture of Life from Junior Power Points
Set up tables and chairs, and form pairs. Have partners sit across from each other at a table. Then give each pair a plate and a handful of rice. Say: I’m going to assign each pair an item to illustrate using the rice, such as a house with a dog in the yard, an airplane with clouds, or a person holding a balloon. You’ll create your illustration by placing the rice, one grain at a time, onto your plate. If you pick up more than one grain of rice at a time, you’ll have to start over. Make the suggestions difficult, yet not impossible, for students to complete. Then have them begin their work. After a minute or so, interrupt them and say: One more thing . . . at times the table will shake, which might mess up your work. Be prepared. During the next few minutes, watch to see that students follow your instructions. Bump or gently push the tables as you pass by them from time to time. It’s OK if students try to save their creations by picking their plates up off the table. Allow time for students to attempt their illustrations; then have them show what they’ve done. Ask: What was it like to work on this project? Did you ever feel like giving up? When have you felt like that in life? How can we overcome what Satan does to us?

Story: Review the story of Abraham to Jacob so far. Jacob (later known as Israel) had a very large family! Just like his father's before him, Jacob had inherited a promise the God would bless the entire world through his family. However, his family also inherited the sins of jealousy which caused sibling rivalry and caused his children to sin.

In this story, we see how the consequences of his brothers jealousy sent Joseph down a path of hardships. However, in spite of the turn his life had taken, Josesph was faithful God and to what was right, even if it meant making his life harder.

SHOW the power point Joseph: Pharoah's Dreams or read Genesis 41:1-46.
EMPHASIZE that: