Joseph was the second youngest son of Jacob and his favorite. His father, Jacob, made him richly ornamented robe (the "coat of many colors").
Joseph's brothers were jealous of Jacob's love for Joseph and offended by Joseph's dreams.
His brothers were so enraged and jealous of his brother that they began to plot to kill him. One day, Jacob sent Joseph to the fields to check on his brothers (notice he was the only one not working in the field - further evidence of Jacob's favoritism). As they saw him approaching, they realized this was their chance to kill him. Reuben was the only one with a soft heart (mostly for his father), and convinced the other brothers to just leave him in a cistern and tell Jacob he was killed by a wild animal. Judah wanted to get something out of it though, and convinced them to sell Joseph into slavery for money. They waited for some Ishmaelites to come by and sold him.
Joseph was sold to the Ishmaelites while they traveling to Egypt. The Ishmaelites descended from Abraham’s first son Ishmael. You can remind your students that Abraham also had Isaac. Isaac and Ishmael were half brothers. Isaac had Jacob, who had Joseph. This means Joseph was sold to his great uncle’s family. The Ishmaelites then sold him to Potiphar when they got to Egypt. Potiphar worked for the Pharaoh.
From Crossroads Kids Club
From Saddleback Kids Hey-O Series.
What is the strangest dream you’ve ever had? Dreams are important in our Bible story today.
It is very important that you have an overall understanding of the story and can emphasize how Joseph got from the land of Canaan to Egypt. This will set up the story next week when we learn about how Joseph's family came to Egypt.
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or tell the story yourself.
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Genesis 37:19-28
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies White paper, crayons, glue, scissors
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies Enough chairs for all students but one
Scripture Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, "Listen to the dream I had. We were tying up bundles of grain out in the field. Suddenly my bundle rose and stood up straight. Your bundles gathered around my bundle and bowed down to it. Genesis 37:5-7, Then Joseph had another dream. He told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said. "I had another dream. This time the sun and moon and 11 stars were bowing down to me." Genesis 37:9
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies Each word of Genesis 37:3 written on different cards (need two sets), each card being a different color, 2 bathrobes, masking tape
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies robe printout for each student (see resource sheets), fruit loops, glue
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies small square pieces of colored tissue paper, glue. robe outline (see resource sheets)
Heads up! Cut coffee filters in the shape of a robe prior to the lesson.
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies coffee filters cut into the shape of a coat, washable markers, spray bottle with water
Heads up! Be aware of allergies and accommodate snack so no one feels left out!
Scripture Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. So they hated Joseph. They couldn't even speak one kind word to him. Genesis 37:4
Supplies small plain cookies for each student, larger cookie with icing, etc for teacher
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies Each word of Genesis 37:3 written on different cards (need two sets), each card being a different color, balloons, 2 bathrobes, masking tape
Scripture Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. Genesis 37:3
Supplies Collect the Coats Cards (download at link below)
Scripture Genesis 37
Supplies Paper, Markers