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In Egypt, Joseph became a slave to an official named Potiphar and quickly rose to be the head servant of the household. After Potiphar’s wife lied about him, Joseph was imprisoned. After interpreting the dreams of fellow prisoners, Joseph was invited to interpret the dreams of Pharoah. Pharaoh was so impressed that he placed Joseph in charge of all of Egypt to prepare for an upcoming famine. At every step, even away from his family, Joseph gave glory to God and acted with integrity.
Bible verses used in this episode:
Genesis chapters 39 through 41
Outline:
- Joseph in Potiphar's house (Genesis 39:1-20)
- Joseph in prison (Genesis 39:21-40:23)
- Joseph interprets the king’s dreams (Genesis 41:1-36)
- Joseph saves Egypt from famine (Genesis 41:37-57)
Tips for teaching children:
- Define integrity as “doing right even when no one else can see what you are doing. Integrity is doing what is right because it is right.”
- Play a game, “What would you do if…?” Use this as a way to talk about what integrity means in various situations. For example:
- What would you do if your friends at a sleepover wanted to watch a movie your parents had said you were not allowed to watch?
- What would you do if you were in the school library and found $10 on the floor?
- Help the children learn about Egypt. There are resources online or in the public library.
Tips for teaching adults:
- For the following activity, you will need to choose volunteers who can read and then volunteers who can draw.
- Have at least four different readers read the scripture aloud to the class. Use the outline above as a guide for dividing the sections (or use your own outline).
- As the story is being read aloud, the other volunteers will be drawing what they hear. This can be done on a large whiteboard or paper so that everyone can see their work as they do it.
- Afterwards, discuss the drawings and how they reflect the reading.
- The story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife is well known. Ask the class to discuss Joseph's integrity.
- Where did Joseph develop his character of integrity?
- What can we learn about integrity from Joseph?
- Why is it right to make the right choice even if we knew we would pay for it later?
Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:
Bible Lesson: Joseph in Egypt
Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.
Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.
Music: Upbeat Positive Culture (Acoustic Corporate Travel Promo Christian Rock), Individual License, Stock Media provided by HumansWin, pond5.com
For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org
