Joseph, Potiphar and His Wife - Trusting God in Difficult Times

Hi Kids! In our past lesson, we learned about Joseph, His Coat and Dreams. Do you remember what happened to Joseph in our last lesson? (Ask some questions about the past lesson such as: Who gave Joseph his coat? How do the brothers of Joseph feel toward Joseph? What did the brothers do to Joseph?)

Joseph was sold by his brothers to Ishmaelite traders and he was taken by them to Egypt. In Egypt, he was sold again and was bought by Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the Captain of the Guards, to become his slave. 

If you were Joseph how would you feel as somebody who came into Egypt? (Afraid? Shocked?) 

Remember he is in a new environment with different language, culture and beliefs.  Consider that Joseph was taught by his father that there is only one God but in Egypt there are many gods. So, I guess, it's a big and scary adjustment for Joseph.

Lesson on God's Faithfulness - The Birth of Isaac

We will continue our story with Abraham. When God first called Abraham, He promised that He will make Abraham into a great nation.  He also told Abraham that his offspring will be as many as the stars in the heavens (Genesis 15:4-5).  Can you count the stars in the sky at night? When Abraham heard this, he believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.

But the problem is, Abraham was already old, in fact he's already 99 years old and his wife Sarah is barren and past the age of childbearing, and they still don't have a child.  Do you think God can fulfill his promise to Abraham?

One day, Abraham saw three visitors nearby his tent. These visitors were really angels from God. He hurriedly went to them and invited them over and prepared something for them to eat and drink.  While eating, they asked "Where is Sarah?"  Abraham said, "There in the tent."  Then, they said that "Surely at about this time next year, Sarah will have a son."  When Sarah heard this, she laughed to herself thinking how can that be when she and Abraham are old. Then the angel said, "Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Sarah then lied and said "I did not laugh." But the angel said, "Yes, you did laugh."  (Please read this account in Genesis 18:1-15)

Soon, the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant  and bore a son. Abraham gave the name Isaac.  Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. (Read from Genesis 21:1-7)

Kids Discussion
1. What did God promise to Abraham?
2. Why can't Abraham and Sarah have a child? How can God's promise be fulfilled?
3. What did the angels from God tell Abraham?
4. Why did Sarah laugh?
5. Did God fulfill his promise? How?
6. What can we learn from our story today? (God fulfills his promise. When He makes a promise, He is faithful to fulfill it. We should believe what God says.)

MEMORY VERSE:  Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord?

KIDS ACTIVITY

• Abraham coloring pages. Abraham looking at the stars.
• Simple foam star on Popsicle stick. See the video tutorial here.  Alternatively, you can use yellow colored paper (or any colored paper you like) and draw stars on them which the kids can cut. Help them in drawing a face on the stars then glue the stars on a Popsicle stick.  If you wish, you can glue the stars first on cardboard, cut and paste them to the Popsicle stick.
• Kirigami simple star. You can also make this simple paper star - similar to origami.

Lesson on Faith and Obedience: God Calls Abraham

The Bible lesson for this week is about "God Calls Abraham." In this lesson, we will explore how Abraham demonstrated his faith and obedience to God. Though there are many stories that have happened along the life of Abraham that shows his faith, we will focus for now only on the account in Genesis 12:1-7.

Would anyone of you kids dare to do something you are not sure of? How about walking the tightrope? Would you walk a tightrope? Sometimes, it is difficult to do something when we are not sure of what the results would be. But, being able to do so is a demonstration of one's faith or belief or trust.

Our story for today is about a man who did something because he believed. The man's name is Abram. One day, God told him to leave his country, his people, his father's household and go to a place He will show him. Then, God promised to bless him. He said "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing."

Do you think that was easy for Abram to do? Would you go to a place you do not know? Why or why not? Would you leave your family and friends? Is moving all your stuff easy?

It may not be an easy decision but the Bible says Abram left as the Lord had told him. Abram was 75 years old then and he brought his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot and all the possessions he owned and the people he acquired.  When Abram and his companions reached Shechem, the Lord said "To your offspring I will give land." So Abram built an altar to the Lord and thanked Him.

Because Abram obeyed God, God truly blessed him in the land where God told him to go.

KIDS DISCUSSION
Who did God talk to? What did He say?
How did Abram respond to God's command?
What lessons can we learn from the story of Abram? (Mention: We must believe and obey God. If we obey God, He will bless us. Sometimes, it's not easy to do what God asks us to do, but we must obey.)
How can we show our obedience to God? (Mention: Know what the Bible says. Do what the Bible says. Obey our parents, etc.)

MEMORY VERSE: 

By faith, Abraham obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ~ Hebrews 11:8
For we walk by faith not by sight. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

KIDS ACTIVITY:

1. Abraham's journey coloring page. 
2. Color, Cut and Scramble the Bible Verse.  Page 1. Page 2. The kids can play a game using these. Two groups of children can arrange the words to form the verse. Each child will have one piece and one by one they will put their piece in the right place. The first to finish wins.
3. Role playing. The kids can do a role play of the story of Abraham. The kids can bring their things (like their bags, water bottle), then they go round and round and round the room until they stop at a certain place and there rest and thank God as Abram did when he reached Shechem.

Object Lesson: How a Little Girl Utilized the Telephone

This short story teaches the little children about the importance of faith and prayer and that God answers prayer.  Note: The telephone conversation in the story can be used for role playing in the Sunday School class.  This can be taught along with the story of how Jairus' daughter was healed by Jesus found in Mark 5:21-24; 38-43.

There was mother watching over a sick baby who came down stairs for a moment to take a second's rest. She heard the voice of her little, 4-year old girl in the living room by herself.  She went and saw her seated in front of the telephone, and stood upon it, with the piece against the side of her head. The child was so earnest talking on the telephone and this was the conversation the mother heard, while the tears stood thick in her eyes.

"Hello."

"Well, who's there?"

"Is God there?"

"Yes."

"Is Jesus there?"

"Yes."

"Tell Jesus I want to speak to him."

"Well?"

"Is that you, Jesus?"

"Yes. What is it?"

"Our baby is sick, and we want you to let it get well. Won't you, now?"

No answer, and statement and question again repeated, and finally answered by a "Yes."

The little one put the ear-piece back on its hook, went down from the chair, and with a radiant face, went for her mother, who caught her in her arms.

The baby who has been began to mend that day and got well.

~ Elmira Free Press

MEMORY VERSE:  Mark 11:24
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

KIDS CRAFT: How to Make a Simple Telephone

Lesson on Trusting Jesus: Jesus Calms the Storm

One evening, Jesus and his disciples took a boat to get to the other side of the lake.  Then, a storm came up and the waves broke over the boat so that the boat is nearly filled with water.  Jesus doesn't seem to be bothered by the storm, he is sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"  Then everything was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?" Do you still have no faith?"  The disciples were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

This Bible story is found in Mark 4:35-41

REFLECTION: (You can use these simple questions to discuss the story to the kids)
1.  What happened while Jesus and his disciples were in the boat?
2.  How did Jesus feel?  How did the disciples feel?  If you were in the boat, what would you feel?
3.  What miracle did Jesus do in this story?  What does that tell us about Jesus?
4.  What are some of the things you are afraid of?  When you are afraid, what should you do?


KIDS SUNDAY SCHOOL SONG: With Christ in My Vessel.  This song is perfect to to with this story.  I have taught this to kids in Sunday school and they love to sing this song.  We even play a simple game with it.  We change words in the song with M.  For example, we change all the Christ words with M and sing "With M in my vessel, I can smile at the storm...."  Then, we change another word - vessel and sing  With M in my M, I can smile at the storm...." We sing over and over until we've changed all these words - Christ, vessel, smile, and storm.  The kids enjoy this.





MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

KIDS ACTIVITY
Free coloring page courtesy of Calvary William Sport dot com.
Make an origami boat.  Click the link for instructions.

Lesson on Faith and Obedience - Noah's Ark

This story happened a long time ago, God became very sad about His world.  The people were bad and unkind.  The only good people left were Noah and his family.  God told Noah that a great flood was coming, so Noah and his three sons went to work building an enormous ark.  The cruel people laughed at Noah but he did not mind.

When the ark was finished, God told Noah to round up and take on board pairs of all animals that lived on earth.  Two elephants, two zebras, two lions - two of every kind.  "Hurry up!" Noah said.  "The rain is beginning to fall."  Then the rain began to fall harder and harder, pitter, patter, until the ark was afloat.

It rained for forty days and forty nights and the water of the flood covered the whole earth.  At last, the rain stopped.  Noah sent out a dove and it returned with a green leaf on its beak.  This told Noah that the flood was going down and there was some dry land.

The ark gently came to rest on a mountain top.  Then Noah opened the door and all the birds and animals came out.  Noah thanked God for keeping his family and the animals safe.  God made a rainbow in the sky as a sign of hope and promise that He will not destroy the earth again by water.

Read the whole story of Noah and the Ark:  Genesis 6:1-9:17

KIDS DISCUSSION:
1.  Why were Noah and his family saved when the great rains came? How about the other people, why were they not saved?
2.  How do you think Noah and his family felt when the rains kept coming down day after day? What would it have been like to have been shut up with so many animals for so long?
3.  Do you know why God gave the first rainbow?  Does God keep His promises?

MEMORY VERSE:  Hebrew 11:7
By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not seen prepared an ark for the saving of his household.

KIDS' ACTIVITY
Make a Noah and the Ark Story Book.  Color the pages that can be printed from this page then staple them together.  Use it in telling the story to the kids.

Play Animal Sounds.  Tell the name of animals that can be found in Noah's ark and the children will say the sound it makes or vice versa.

Color an Ark and a Rainbow.  Print out the template from this page.  This activity helps teach the kids about the different colors of the rainbow.

Make an Obedience Ark:  The complete instructions for this activity can be found on this page.  Print the template, ask the kids to cut out strips of brown paper, then glue the strips on the ark.  After the glue has dried, ask the kids to write about things they can do to show how they can obey God.

The Blind Preacher

Long time ago, there was a boy who had a call to be a preacher. He was a Scotch, and his mother was very, very happy that her son shall become a minister someday.  So George went to school. He was not very brilliant in school, but he was faithful.  He fulfilled all his work well and passed his grades.

One day, he noted some difficulty with his eyes. The problem grew worse until one day, even before he had finished his education, he became totally blind. He was greatly discouraged. He was tempted to give up entirely and stop trying to do anything. Surely, he could not be a successful preacher if he was blind. Who would listen to him? How could he do his work?

However, he could hear another voice inside him, a voice of courage, hope and faith.  It was the voice of the Lord that bid him to go right on with his plans. He listened to that inner voice.  He was ordained.  People loved him, and flocked to hear him preach. Though his natural vision was darkened, his spiritual vision was so much brighter. Though he could not see the beautiful sights of the world, he had eyes to see more clearly the wonderful things of the soul.  His became popular throughout Edinburgh, Scotland, England, and all the English-speaking world, and everywhere he was known and loved as the blind preacher.

This blind preacher wrote many hymns. The greatest hymn he ever wrote, and one of the finest in all the English language, is "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go".  The name of this blind preacher is George Matheson.

REFLECTION:  Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Do you have a weakness or disability?  Can God still use a person who has weaknesses?  What should be our attitude in our weaknesses?  How can we serve God in spite of our weaknesses?  How can we help others who have disabilities know God and serve God?

MEMORY VERSE:  
Isaiah 42: 16

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
       I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.
       These are the things I will do;  I will not forsake them.

2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.

KIDS CRAFT
Blind Painting -  This activity will teach the child how to be emphatic with sightless people and at the same time appreciate her ability to do many things with her eyes.
Sand Painting - This activity will produce paintings that you can feel with your hands, especially adapted for kids who are blind.

The Doors of Life

This morning, after you were awake, you passed through your bedroom door. Then you went through the bathroom door. Later you entered, through a door, the dining room. After a time, with your father and mother, you left the house through the outside door. You walked down the street and here you are in church, having entered through the door.

Every day you are passing through various doors. What wonderful things doors are! I wonder who invented doors. What would we do without doors?

There are doors to houses and there are doors to life. Let me tell you about them. A door is made of wood. What beautiful wood is in these church doors! The doors of life are made of our will. By the exercise of our will we open and close whatsoever doors of life we choose.

The doors of our houses swing on hinges. Heavy doors seem as light as a feather because they are so delicately hung upon hinges. The hinges of the doors of life are made not of brass or iron, but of love.

When, in a little while, you leave this church you will take hold of a knob and pull open the door. The doors of life have knobs. Those knobs are called courtesy. You can open well any door you choose if only you will use the knob courtesy.

What about the lock? Yes, doors have locks. So also have the doors of life. Can you guess what locks the door of life? It is faith. If you have faith, faith in God, faith in the Savior, faith in things that are true and pure, you need never fear that your house of life will be broken into by burglars. You are secure if you have the lock of faith. Now here is a strange paradox,
namely — you lock your door only by opening it. Open your door to the Master.

MEMORY VERSE: Revelations 3: 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with me.

KIDS CRAFT: What's Inside the Door? Craft
The idea and instructions for this craft can be found in Crayola. You can make a variation of this craft. Instead of drawing the child's favorite things inside the store, he can draw what is inside his heart - the things that are true and pure or people he loves.

A Boy From the Country

Once upon a time, there was a boy who lived in the country. It was said of him that he was ruddy and handsome. Well, this boy had brothers who were away from home in the army, fighting.

One day, the boy's father said to him, "I wish you would go down and see how your brothers are getting along, and take with you this present." The boy started on his journey.

Now when he came to the place where the soldiers were encamped, he saw a strange sight. A giant, from the opposing army, came out, blustering and issuing his challenge to any one who would dare come against him.

All seemed afraid of him. Even the big, strong soldiers would not fight with him. Therefore, this boy from the country volunteered saying, "I will go out and fight him." They tried to stop him, but he insisted.

Now, he was a perfect shot with the sling. He chose 5 smooth stones from the brook. With one of these, he prevailed over the giant.

This lad, however, had some other things which made him win the battle. What were they?

• First, he had courage. He possessed what all the others lacked.
  
• Second, he had the ability to do one thing and do that one thing well. He could use a sling with the utmost accuracy.
  
• Third, he had confidence in himself and faith in God. He was not conceited, no, we do not like that. Rather he had self-confidence.
  
• Above all was this—"I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts." So said the lad from the country as he went to fight the giant.
  

What was his name? It is a good name—David.

MEMORY VERSE: I Samuel 17: 45
"You come to me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty."

KID'S CRAFT: Rock Pets: They're Not Cuddly, But They're Quiet and a Whole Lot of Fun!

FILM SHOWING: Veggie Tales: Dave and Giant Pickle Part 3