God Had A Plan for Joseph:    

The focus of this family time is to use five easy steps to teach our family God had a plan for Joseph’s life. He allowed Joseph to suffer to rescue a whole nation. In a greater way, God planned for Jesus to suffer so that many—people from all nations—would be saved from sin.

Learn the Memory Verse together and say it throughout the week to help your family remember and apply what they have learned.

MEMORY VERSE: 

“I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.”

Psalm 135:5-6

STEP 1. GATHER!

Use this time to begin Family Worship Night and have fun!

Bake bread or a similar treat (brownies, cinnamon rolls) together as a family. Give each family member a job like measuring, mixing, kneading, or shaping the dough. Enjoy the bread or treat you have made as the happy ending of your hard work.

Or let each family member list their 5 Favorite foods and why they love them.

STEP 2. WORSHIP!

• Sing and have fun while worshiping then pray. Take a moment here to thank God for your family and your time together!! 

STEP 3. BIBLE!

Watch the Bible story video or read all or parts of Genesis 37-50

from the Bible:

Preschool:

Elementary:

STEP 4. DISCUSSION! 

Use these questions and points to have a conversation with your children about the Bible story. 

• The movie Despicable Me introduces the villain Gru, who is on a mission to shrink and steal the moon. Gru’s despicable plan includes stealing a shrink ray by adopting three orphans and using them to sneak into the base where the ray is kept. But Gru’s plan backfires as he falls in love with the three girls who have joined his family. Gru’s plan actually led to a happy ending and a happy family.
• Is the story Despicable Me just like Joseph’s story? 
• No, but the whole episode does end with a happy ending and a happy family. After Joseph is placed in charge of the food supplies in Egypt, his brothers came to buy food so that they could survive. 
• Because Pharaoh had placed Joseph in charge, was Joseph able to save the lives of his family and all the people of Israel?
• Yes, Even though the story began with an evil plan, God used Joseph to save his entire family from a famine. 
• After the family had settled safely in Egypt, Joseph told his brothers, “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.” (Genesis 50:20). 
• Who does Joseph’s life points us to as the greater rescuer? 
• Yes! Jesus. He was hated by others. He was treated unfairly. He was punished for sins He did not commit. But every event of Jesus’ life—even His death—was part of God’s plan to save people from their sin. For those who believe in Jesus, His story has the happiest ending of all.
• God had a plan for Joseph’s life. He allowed Joseph to suffer to rescue a whole nation. In a greater way, God planned for Jesus to suffer so that many—people from all nations—would be saved from sin.

• God, thank You that we can trust You in every situation—good and bad. We know that You are always in control and nothing can stop You from doing what You have planned. Thank You for using Jesus’ death to bring forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe.