What do you tell yourself when things get hard? “When things get tough, the tough get going,” or some such phrase to motivate yourself? I don’t know about you, but for me, that just doesn’t cut it. This may energize me for a bit, but ultimately, things continue to spiral because my focus is still on the problem, on myself, on what “I” need to do to fix it.
Joseph could have spiraled, felt sorry for himself, sunk into a deep pit of despair. And while he may have a had a moment or two where that did happen, that did not control him. Even after being thrown in a pit, even after being sold into slavery, even when it was his own brothers that hated him and did that to him, even after being thrown in jail for something he did not do, even after being forgotten when he helped someone, even after all of that, Joseph still continued to do the right thing and trust that God had a plan for him.
Joseph’s main focus was not on the problems he went through, it wasn’t on himself, it wasn’t on what “he” needed to do to fix it. Joseph’s focus was on God and how God wanted him to act even when he was in those difficult places. Then, when the time was right, God took Joseph and did great and wonderous things through him.
Joseph is still in jail as we pick up our story for our kids. Pharaoh has a strange dream and the cup bearer finally remembers Joseph and how Joseph had helped him. God has put Joseph right where he needed to be just for this moment. Imagine what God could be doing through you or preparing you to do as you go through your own valleys and mountains.
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ll show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: God’s plan has good things for me to do. (Joseph Saves the Grain • Genesis 41)
Memory Verse: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11, NLT
Key Question: Who has a plan for you?
Bottom Line: God has a plan for me.
Bible Story & Worship
Start with the Bible Story Video and then stand up and worship God with your kids. Don’t be shy, your kids will love singing and dancing with you as you introduce them to what worship is all about. Singing and dancing is fun but even more fun when you do it for God.
Bible Story Video – Joseph Saves the Grain
Worship – Super Wonderful
Worship – Really Awesome Plan
Activities
The materials below will help reinforce the story as well as bring Jesus to their level. These can be done in any order, but I recommend the Discussion/Application last (this is the part that really brings Jesus to their level.) Be sure to practice the memory verse with your kids and think about what you can give them as a reward at the end of the month if they can say it all by themselves.
Bible Story Activity
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Coloring Page
Discussion/Application
As we wrap up, I’d like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). It’s my hope that these lessons will plant a seed in your kids that will allow them to have peace through all the highs on lows of God’s plan. My prayers are with you.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
