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Preschool track
Overview of Genesis
Did you know genesis means "beginning"? The Book of Genesis tells the stories of Creation and the stories of the beginning of God's people!
The book of Genesis describes God's perfect and complete creation in the beginning. The first people, Adam and Eve, sinned, and now all people are separated from God by sin. Genesis tells about God's judgement on sin in the account of Noah and the Flood. In spite of the world's continued wickedness, God called Abraham and promised that all nations would be blessed through hum. This blessing would come through the promised Messiah - a descendant of Abraham.
The book of Genesis describes God's perfect and complete creation in the beginning. The first people, Adam and Eve, sinned, and now all people are separated from God by sin. Genesis tells about God's judgement on sin in the account of Noah and the Flood. In spite of the world's continued wickedness, God called Abraham and promised that all nations would be blessed through hum. This blessing would come through the promised Messiah - a descendant of Abraham.
Bible Readings
Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:10 - 3:24) Reading
God made the first human to live in the garden of Eden. God asked the human to follow some rules, "Take care of this land. Eat from any tree in the garden, but you can't eat from the Tree of Good and Evil."
God noticed that the human was lonely in the garden. God said, "It's not good for the human to be alone. I will make a partner for him." God made all of the wild animals and all of the birds, and brought them to the human to name. The human named all of the animals, but none of the animals were a perfect fit for the human.
So God put the human to sleep. Then God made a woman. The human was excited and said, "This one is a perfect partner! She will be called a woman."
In the garden of Eden there lived a terrible snake. The snake told the woman, Eat some fruit from the Tree of Good and Evil." She said, "No, Snake. God said, 'Do not eat that special fruit'." But the snake talked her into eating the special fruit. The woman took a bite and gave some to the man. When God found out they had eaten the fruit, God said, "Look at what you have done! Now that you both have eaten my special fruit, life will be harder than it has been." Then God made Adam and Eve leave the garden of Eden.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
God noticed that the human was lonely in the garden. God said, "It's not good for the human to be alone. I will make a partner for him." God made all of the wild animals and all of the birds, and brought them to the human to name. The human named all of the animals, but none of the animals were a perfect fit for the human.
So God put the human to sleep. Then God made a woman. The human was excited and said, "This one is a perfect partner! She will be called a woman."
In the garden of Eden there lived a terrible snake. The snake told the woman, Eat some fruit from the Tree of Good and Evil." She said, "No, Snake. God said, 'Do not eat that special fruit'." But the snake talked her into eating the special fruit. The woman took a bite and gave some to the man. When God found out they had eaten the fruit, God said, "Look at what you have done! Now that you both have eaten my special fruit, life will be harder than it has been." Then God made Adam and Eve leave the garden of Eden.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:19 - 28) Reading
Isaac and Rebekah were getting older, and they wanted to have a family. They prayed to God for a baby. Rebekah became pregnant with twin boys! Their names were Esau and Jacob. They were born on the same day, but they were very different. Esau was born first. He had red hair on his head and arms. Jacob was born second. He had dark hair. Jacob and Esau liked different things. Esau liked to be outdoors. He liked to hunt, fish, and watch the animals play. Esau enjoyed spending time with Isaac. Jacob liked being inside the tent where his family was. He liked to cook, and made a delicious lentil stew. Jacob enjoyed spending. time with Rebekah. One day Esau returned home from hunting. Jacob was making lentil stew, and Esau was very hungry. "Can I have some lentil stew and some bread, please, Jacob?" Esau asked. "Sure, if you trade me your birthright for some stew," Jacob said. Esau thought about this. His birthright made him the leader of their family when they became grownups. That was several years away. He was hungry now. Did he really need to be the leader and get all of the family's valuables? "You have a trade, said Esau. "one bowl of stew, coming right up!" said Jacob. Jacob was excited. He really wanted to be in charge of their family.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37: 1 - 36) Reading
Jacob married and had twelve sons. One of Jacob's sons was Joseph, and he was Jacob's favorite. Jacob gave Joseph a special robe. None of the brothers had a robe like that. It made Joseph's brothers angry.
Joseph's dreams made them even more angry. "I dreamt that we were all bundling grain. Your grain bundles bowed down to my grain bundle. I also dreamt that the sun, the moon, and the stars bowed down to me. It means that you will all bow down to me," said Joseph. None of his brothers wanted to bow down to him.
The brothers went out to the fields to herd the sheep. Jacob sent Joseph to check on them. The brothers saw Joseph and came up with a plan to get him out of their lives. They took his robe and threw him into a pit until some traveling traders came by. They sold Joseph to the traders.
*Taken from Deep Blue Storybook Bible
Joseph's dreams made them even more angry. "I dreamt that we were all bundling grain. Your grain bundles bowed down to my grain bundle. I also dreamt that the sun, the moon, and the stars bowed down to me. It means that you will all bow down to me," said Joseph. None of his brothers wanted to bow down to him.
The brothers went out to the fields to herd the sheep. Jacob sent Joseph to check on them. The brothers saw Joseph and came up with a plan to get him out of their lives. They took his robe and threw him into a pit until some traveling traders came by. They sold Joseph to the traders.
*Taken from Deep Blue Storybook Bible
Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39:1-40:23) Reading
Joseph was sold and traveled with a camel caravan to Egypt.
When Joseph arrived in Egypt, he worked for a man named Potiphar.
Joseph was a good worker. Soon Potiphar saw what a good worker Joseph was. So Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything in Potiphar's house.
Potiphar's wife did not get along with Joseph. Potiphar's wife took Joseph's garment, showed it to her husband, and said, "Joseph keeps bothering me, and look, he left his clothing in our house!"
Potiphar threw Joseph in jail. The jailer grew to like and to trust Jospeh, and the jailer out Joseph in charge of the jail. While Joseph was in jail, he began to tell the other prisoners what their dreams meant. One man was Pharaoh's cupbearer. His job was to bring Pharaoh drinks when Pharaoh was thirsty. The other man was Pharaoh's baker. His job was to bake Pharaoh good things to eat.
One morning Joseph overheard the men talking. They both had strange dreams. "I can help you understand your dreams," Jospeh told the men. "Just tell me about them, and God will help me understand them."
The cupbearer began, "I dreamt that I made juice from grapes and gave it to Pharaoh. Pharaoh drank the juice. What does it mean?"
"Pharaoh will forgive you," said Joseph.
The baker told Joseph his dream, "I baked bread for Pharaoh, but birds came and ate all of the bread before I could give it to Pharaoh. What does it mean?"
"It means that Pharaoh will not forgive you," explained Joseph.
Joseph was right! A few days later, the dreams came true.
*Taken from Deep Blue Storybook Bible
When Joseph arrived in Egypt, he worked for a man named Potiphar.
Joseph was a good worker. Soon Potiphar saw what a good worker Joseph was. So Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything in Potiphar's house.
Potiphar's wife did not get along with Joseph. Potiphar's wife took Joseph's garment, showed it to her husband, and said, "Joseph keeps bothering me, and look, he left his clothing in our house!"
Potiphar threw Joseph in jail. The jailer grew to like and to trust Jospeh, and the jailer out Joseph in charge of the jail. While Joseph was in jail, he began to tell the other prisoners what their dreams meant. One man was Pharaoh's cupbearer. His job was to bring Pharaoh drinks when Pharaoh was thirsty. The other man was Pharaoh's baker. His job was to bake Pharaoh good things to eat.
One morning Joseph overheard the men talking. They both had strange dreams. "I can help you understand your dreams," Jospeh told the men. "Just tell me about them, and God will help me understand them."
The cupbearer began, "I dreamt that I made juice from grapes and gave it to Pharaoh. Pharaoh drank the juice. What does it mean?"
"Pharaoh will forgive you," said Joseph.
The baker told Joseph his dream, "I baked bread for Pharaoh, but birds came and ate all of the bread before I could give it to Pharaoh. What does it mean?"
"It means that Pharaoh will not forgive you," explained Joseph.
Joseph was right! A few days later, the dreams came true.
*Taken from Deep Blue Storybook Bible
I Wonder....
- if God still whispers.
- which part of creation God enjoyed the most.
- how God could make life out of dust.
- how far God had to bend down to reach the dust.
- if God goes with me wherever I go.
- why God told Adam and Eve not to eat that fruit.
- if I'm covered in God's love and grace too.
- if God still makes new things.
- if God loves seeing rainbows as much as I do.
- how Noah's wife felt about it all.
- how many stars were twinkling that night.
- how Sarah felt when she found out she was going to be a mommy.
- if God still does impossible things.
- if God can still bring good out of bad situations.
- if it was hard for Joseph to forgive his brothers.
- how Joesph knew that God had never left him.
Discussion Questions
- Where is your favorite place to go in the earth God made?
- What is your favorite animal?
- What sound do you hear right now in the world God made?
- What is favorite flower?
- What can you do to keep the world as beautiful as God made it?
- What colors do you see in the rainbow?
- What are the sounds you hear when it rains?
- Look for those around you who have moved from another country. Ask them where they moved from and what life was like there.
- What do you think the animals were thinking while they were stuck inside?
- God created all we see! Where is your favorite place to go in the earth God made?
- How do you think everyone felt being back on dry land?
- Have you ever heard people who have moved from another country speak a different language than you do? Do you know the name of their language?
- How can you help others feel at home in their new country?
- How do you think Abraham, Sarah, and Lot felt when God asked them to move to a new land?
- How do you think Adam and Eve felt in this story?
- How can you help God make sure that everyone God promised to protect is safe?
- What do you think Noah thought when God asked him to build a giant boat?
- What could the brothers have done differently?
- What do you think is the most important part of this story?
- Have you ever had a strange dream? What happened?
Videos
Saddleback Kids
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Adam and Eve
This video is 1:14 minutes long
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Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39-41)
This video is 3:15 minutes long
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Creation (Genesis 1-2)
This video is 3:47 minutes long
Holy Moly
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Noah
This video is 5:45 minutes long
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Jacob and Esau
This video is 5:53 minutes long
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Rebekah and Issac
This video is 5:46 minutes long
Godly Play
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Creation
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The Great Family
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This video is 9:26 minutes long
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This video is 18:06 minutes long
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The Ark and the Flood
This video is 16:28 minutes long
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Godly Play: Jospeh
This video is 11:06 minutes long
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Cross Road Kids' Club
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This video is 4:18 minutes long
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This video is 3:46 minutes long
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Skit
Abraham and Sarah
*Created by Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte North Carolina
Art Project
Creation
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
- Cardboard
- Cardboard cutter
- Colored pom pom's
- Colored tissue paper
- Liquid glue and glue sticks
- Markers
- Cut up pieces of fabric
- Feathers
- Kid scissors (if necessary)
- Adult scissors
- Construction paper
- Sharpie (if necessary)
Adult Preparation:
- If want, trace out rainbow out of cardboard
- Cut cardboard in a rainbow shape
Instructions:
- Decorate rainbow
Engaging in Your Community
Instead of doing an activity this week. You are going to practice kindness this week. Just like Joseph did with his family. See below for instructions:
Materials:
Instructions:
Materials:
- Scissors
- Container
- The PDF
Instructions:
- Print off pdf
- see below
- Cut out each strip
- Place all the strips into a container
- Each day,
- Everyone pulls out a strip
- Reads what on. your strip
- Finally, do what it says is on the strip
Song
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This video is 2:43 minutes long
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This song is 1:10 minutes long
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Tips for Adults
The authors of Genesis sought to answer the question, "Where did we come from?" The Book of Genesis tells us about the amazing beginning of the world. God created the earth, sky, and everything in the world. God made human beings to enjoy and to take care of the world. This book also explains the beginning of God's people, the Israelites.
Elementary Track
Overview of Genesis
Genesis tells us that our world began with God's wind sweeping over the waters. God spoke and then our world existed - the sun and the stars, the plants, the animals, and the people. God told the first man and woman to care for everything God made, including the beautiful garden in Eden. God created Adam and Eve to be partners, to have good relationships with God and each other.
This book tells a story of God's story of God's amazing creation but also explains the disaster of human sin. Adam and Eve did't follow God's command. God sent a giant flood, but saved Noah in an ark that floated on the rising waters. Then God made promises to Abraham and his children as the first of God's new people. God sent this faith-filled follower on a daring journey from the distant city of Ur to Canaan, the land that is now Israel.
Genesis also tells the story of Joseph, a boastful young man who was sold as a slave by his brothers. God made Joseph a leader in Egypt and then his family from famine. In the end, Joseph and his brothers became friends again.
Genesis says that God created the world - and the stories show why. God wants to be conneced with all people - including you!
This book tells a story of God's story of God's amazing creation but also explains the disaster of human sin. Adam and Eve did't follow God's command. God sent a giant flood, but saved Noah in an ark that floated on the rising waters. Then God made promises to Abraham and his children as the first of God's new people. God sent this faith-filled follower on a daring journey from the distant city of Ur to Canaan, the land that is now Israel.
Genesis also tells the story of Joseph, a boastful young man who was sold as a slave by his brothers. God made Joseph a leader in Egypt and then his family from famine. In the end, Joseph and his brothers became friends again.
Genesis says that God created the world - and the stories show why. God wants to be conneced with all people - including you!
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Overview: Genesis 1-11 by Bible Project
This video is 7:42 minutes long.
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Overview: Genesis 12-50 by Bible Project
This video is 8:07 minutes long
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Scripture Reading
When the World Started Over Again (Genesis 6-9) Reading
Almost everyone on earth has a story about a time when the world almost ended. Most of these stories are about a huge flood, the hugest flood ever. The people who tell these stories put all their little fears into a story about one great big fear: the end of the world. Here's the Bible story about how the world almost ended and how the world almost ended and how it began again after a huge and terrible flood.
It rained for days and days. The water rose and rose until it covered everything. Every living thing died - almost. Just one person, Noah, built a boat, a boat so big that there was room for his whole family. Actually, Noah built his boat even bigger than that. He built it so big he could bring a family of every animal along too: dogs and cats, elephants and ants, lions and tigers. Noah even brought spiders and snakes on board. And everyone got along just fine. They were all safe for now.
The big boat floated on the big flood. It seemed like forever for all the families on the boat. Then one day, the sun came out. The clouds disappeared, and the rain stopped. Noah's huge boat came to a rest on dry land. Noah opened the windows. When he saw that it was safe, he opened the door. Everyone went bounding out into the new world, running and jumping and scampering in all directions. They found new homes and started new families. They made new lives for themselves.
Then God told them all, "Don't be afraid that the world will end. Don't worry that this will ever happen again. I'm going to make a promise to all of you, to the whole world and to everyone who lives in it. I will keep you safe."
When God made this promise, God was talking to the whole world. God was talking to elephants and ants. God was talking to spiders and snakes. God was talking to pet dogs and pet cats and pet hamsters. God was talking to everyone in Noah's whole family. God was talking to your whole family. God was talking to you.
God said, "Just to remind you of my promise to keep you safe, I'll make the rainbow. When it rains, don't be afraid. Just for the rainbow."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
It rained for days and days. The water rose and rose until it covered everything. Every living thing died - almost. Just one person, Noah, built a boat, a boat so big that there was room for his whole family. Actually, Noah built his boat even bigger than that. He built it so big he could bring a family of every animal along too: dogs and cats, elephants and ants, lions and tigers. Noah even brought spiders and snakes on board. And everyone got along just fine. They were all safe for now.
The big boat floated on the big flood. It seemed like forever for all the families on the boat. Then one day, the sun came out. The clouds disappeared, and the rain stopped. Noah's huge boat came to a rest on dry land. Noah opened the windows. When he saw that it was safe, he opened the door. Everyone went bounding out into the new world, running and jumping and scampering in all directions. They found new homes and started new families. They made new lives for themselves.
Then God told them all, "Don't be afraid that the world will end. Don't worry that this will ever happen again. I'm going to make a promise to all of you, to the whole world and to everyone who lives in it. I will keep you safe."
When God made this promise, God was talking to the whole world. God was talking to elephants and ants. God was talking to spiders and snakes. God was talking to pet dogs and pet cats and pet hamsters. God was talking to everyone in Noah's whole family. God was talking to your whole family. God was talking to you.
God said, "Just to remind you of my promise to keep you safe, I'll make the rainbow. When it rains, don't be afraid. Just for the rainbow."
*Taken from Growing in God's Love A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Abram and Sarai Find a New Home (Genesis 12:1-4a; 17:1-16) Reading
Sometimes families move. They move from one neighborhood to another. They move from one city to another. They even move from one country to another. When families move into one country from another country, we call them immigrants.
That's what Abram and Sarai were: immigrants. They lived in Haran, where their families had always lived. They knew everyone, and everyone knew them. They lived the lives they had always lived, and they did the work their families had always done. They were comfortable in Haran.
Then God came up with a new plan for them.
One day God said to Abram and Sarai, "I want you to move to a new country. I've got a new home for you there. I've got a new life for you. I've got new work for you to do. I want you to live in your new country and work there. Just by living there and doing good, you will make everyone's lives better."
Abram and Sarai must have been worried about moving. It's hard to leave what you know. But they left right away for their new country, the land of Canaan. Like all immigrants, they must have felt strange there at first. They must have felt alone. They must have worried what would happen to them in this new place.
But when they got to their new country, God met them there. God said to them, "I'm going to give you a family. They'll live in this new country and call it their own. They'll make a home for themselves here. Because you're starting a new family in a new land, I'm giving you new names. Abram, you'll now be called Abraham. Sarai, you'll now be called Sarah."
So Abraham and Sarah started all over in their new country, just like many immigrants do today. They had a new place to live. They had new names, They had a new family. And, before too long, they began to feel at home.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
That's what Abram and Sarai were: immigrants. They lived in Haran, where their families had always lived. They knew everyone, and everyone knew them. They lived the lives they had always lived, and they did the work their families had always done. They were comfortable in Haran.
Then God came up with a new plan for them.
One day God said to Abram and Sarai, "I want you to move to a new country. I've got a new home for you there. I've got a new life for you. I've got new work for you to do. I want you to live in your new country and work there. Just by living there and doing good, you will make everyone's lives better."
Abram and Sarai must have been worried about moving. It's hard to leave what you know. But they left right away for their new country, the land of Canaan. Like all immigrants, they must have felt strange there at first. They must have felt alone. They must have worried what would happen to them in this new place.
But when they got to their new country, God met them there. God said to them, "I'm going to give you a family. They'll live in this new country and call it their own. They'll make a home for themselves here. Because you're starting a new family in a new land, I'm giving you new names. Abram, you'll now be called Abraham. Sarai, you'll now be called Sarah."
So Abraham and Sarah started all over in their new country, just like many immigrants do today. They had a new place to live. They had new names, They had a new family. And, before too long, they began to feel at home.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
How the Twins Were Born (Genesis 25:19-28) Reading
Do you know any twins? DO they look a lot alike or are they quite different? This story is about twins who look very different.
This story starts when Jacob and Esau were zero years old. They weren't even born yet!
Sometimes, before babies are born, they move around inside their mothers. Their mothers can feel them move. Rebekah did.
Rebekah said, "Wow. Things are busy in there. I think I've got two babies, not just one. It feels like they're wrestling with each other inside of me right now. I wonder if they'll always wrestle with each other."
Rebekah was right about everything. She was right about the twins and about their wrestling. Esau was born first. He had a lot of red hair, so they called him Esau, because Esau was their word for "red."
Jacob was born second. He stuck out his arm right after Esau was born, like he was still wrestling with Esau. So they called him Jacob, because Jacob was their word for "wrestling."
Esau and Jacob were a lot alike. They were born at the same time. They played together. They grew up in the same family.
But they were also very different. Esau loved getting outside. He liked the outdoors. He liked hiking. He liked hunting and fishing. He brought fish he caught and animals he hunted home to his father, Isaac. Isaac liked Esau a lot.
Jacob liked staying inside. If they had books and smart phones, which they didn't, he would've read those all day. He made things at home, and he helped his mother cook. Rebekah liked Jacob a lot.
Just as Rebekah had thought, Esau and Jacob wrestled with each other their whole lives. Just like all brothers and sisters who fight, Esau and Jacob did too.
Once, when they got older, something big happened that made them really, really mad at each other.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
This story starts when Jacob and Esau were zero years old. They weren't even born yet!
Sometimes, before babies are born, they move around inside their mothers. Their mothers can feel them move. Rebekah did.
Rebekah said, "Wow. Things are busy in there. I think I've got two babies, not just one. It feels like they're wrestling with each other inside of me right now. I wonder if they'll always wrestle with each other."
Rebekah was right about everything. She was right about the twins and about their wrestling. Esau was born first. He had a lot of red hair, so they called him Esau, because Esau was their word for "red."
Jacob was born second. He stuck out his arm right after Esau was born, like he was still wrestling with Esau. So they called him Jacob, because Jacob was their word for "wrestling."
Esau and Jacob were a lot alike. They were born at the same time. They played together. They grew up in the same family.
But they were also very different. Esau loved getting outside. He liked the outdoors. He liked hiking. He liked hunting and fishing. He brought fish he caught and animals he hunted home to his father, Isaac. Isaac liked Esau a lot.
Jacob liked staying inside. If they had books and smart phones, which they didn't, he would've read those all day. He made things at home, and he helped his mother cook. Rebekah liked Jacob a lot.
Just as Rebekah had thought, Esau and Jacob wrestled with each other their whole lives. Just like all brothers and sisters who fight, Esau and Jacob did too.
Once, when they got older, something big happened that made them really, really mad at each other.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37: 1 - 36) Reading
Have you ever had a problem that needed solving but you weren't sure what to do? This happened to Joseph's family when they needed food to eat and food for their animals.
Canaan, where Jacob lived with his sons, did not have enough food. Jacob was worried about his family. He heard that Egypt had food, so he sent ten of his sons to buy food there. After losing Joseph, Jacob didn't want to loose his youngest son, Benjamin. So Benjamin stayed at home.
When Joseph's brothers arrived in Egypt, they went to buy food. Joseph was there, but they didn't know him. They hadn't seen him in a really long time. Joseph recognized his brothers, but he pretended he didn't know them. He said, "You must be spies. Why else would you come to Egypt?"
His brothers were shocked. They said, "We're not spies. We're just brothers who are trying to help our family. There is no food in Canaan. We are twelve brothers. Our youngest is home with our father and one brother is gone."
Joseph agreed to let them go. He told them, "I'll let you go home, but one of you has to stay in Egypt. When you return with your youngest brother, then I'll let you all be together." So one of the brothers, Simeon, stayed in Egypt.
When they returned to Canaan, Reuben told Jacob what happened. Jacob didn't want to let Benjamin go to Egypt. He still missed Joseph. He was worried about Simeon, who was still in Egypt. But the family needed food.
When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they met with Joseph again. Joseph asked his brothers, "Is your father still alive?"
When they said yes, he couldn't pretend that he didn't know them any longer. "It's me, your brother Joseph!" he said. They stared at their missing brother.
"Don't be afraid," said Joseph, "God has protected me so that I could help our family!" I'm Pharaoh's assistant. I can make sure our family is safe and happy. Return to our father and bring him and everyone to Egypt. I'll give you land, houses, and plenty of food!"
The brothers told Jacob that Joseph was still alive. When he knew that his family would be together again, he was happier than he had ever been.
On the way to Egypt, God spoke to Jacob, "Don't be afraid to go to Egypt. I will make you a great people there." When Jacob and all his family arrived in Egypt, they were given everything Joseph promised. Their family grew, and they were happy.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Canaan, where Jacob lived with his sons, did not have enough food. Jacob was worried about his family. He heard that Egypt had food, so he sent ten of his sons to buy food there. After losing Joseph, Jacob didn't want to loose his youngest son, Benjamin. So Benjamin stayed at home.
When Joseph's brothers arrived in Egypt, they went to buy food. Joseph was there, but they didn't know him. They hadn't seen him in a really long time. Joseph recognized his brothers, but he pretended he didn't know them. He said, "You must be spies. Why else would you come to Egypt?"
His brothers were shocked. They said, "We're not spies. We're just brothers who are trying to help our family. There is no food in Canaan. We are twelve brothers. Our youngest is home with our father and one brother is gone."
Joseph agreed to let them go. He told them, "I'll let you go home, but one of you has to stay in Egypt. When you return with your youngest brother, then I'll let you all be together." So one of the brothers, Simeon, stayed in Egypt.
When they returned to Canaan, Reuben told Jacob what happened. Jacob didn't want to let Benjamin go to Egypt. He still missed Joseph. He was worried about Simeon, who was still in Egypt. But the family needed food.
When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they met with Joseph again. Joseph asked his brothers, "Is your father still alive?"
When they said yes, he couldn't pretend that he didn't know them any longer. "It's me, your brother Joseph!" he said. They stared at their missing brother.
"Don't be afraid," said Joseph, "God has protected me so that I could help our family!" I'm Pharaoh's assistant. I can make sure our family is safe and happy. Return to our father and bring him and everyone to Egypt. I'll give you land, houses, and plenty of food!"
The brothers told Jacob that Joseph was still alive. When he knew that his family would be together again, he was happier than he had ever been.
On the way to Egypt, God spoke to Jacob, "Don't be afraid to go to Egypt. I will make you a great people there." When Jacob and all his family arrived in Egypt, they were given everything Joseph promised. Their family grew, and they were happy.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Joseph Helps Out in Egypt (Genesis 39-41) Reading
Have you ever had a dream that you remembered after you woke up? Maybe you wondered why you had that dream. Joseph was really good at helping people understand their dreams.
When Joseph's brothers threw him into the empty well, he thought, What have I done to deserve this? It was even worse when they sold him to the traders.
In Egypt, Jospeh was sold to Potiphar, the assistant to Pharaoh. Joseph worked hard. He became Potiphar's assistant. He was in charge of Potiphar's whole house. Even though he was far from his family. Joseph knew God was with him.
One day, Potiphar's wife said to Joseph, "I'm very lonely. Will you be my friend?"
Jospeh didn't think that was a good idea. He said, "No."
Potiphar's wife was angry. She told Potiphar that Joseph hurt her. Potiphar had him thrown in jail.
In Jail, Joseph was lonely. But he knew that God was with him. The jailer noticed how smart Joseph was and gave him jobs to help around the jail. Then he became the assistant to the jailer. Finally, Joseph was out in charge of all the prisoners!
One day, the head baker and wine maker made Pharaoh angry. They were sent to jail. That night they each had a dream. They didn't know the meaning of their dreams. Jospeh told them, "Dreams belong to God. Tell me your dreams."
Joseph told the wine maker that his dream meant that he would be out of jail soon. "Please remember me, and help me get out of jail," Joseph said to him.
When the wine maker got out of jail, he forgot about Joseph.
Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He asked the smartest people in all Egypt about it. No one could tell him what his dream meant.
Then the wine maker remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh about him. Pharaoh sent for Joseph. He said, "In my dream I was standing next to the Nile River. Suddenly, seven fat cows came out of the river. They were eating grass, when seven skinny, sick-looking cows came out of the river. The skinny cows walked to the fat cows and ate them in one bite! And they still looked skinny."
"Pharaoh," said Joseph, "God is telling you what will happen. For seven years the crops and animals in Egypt will be healthy. There will be plenty of food. But after seven years, all the crops and animals will die, and there will be no food."
Pharaoh was amazed at how Joseph helped him understand his dream. He gave Joseph a special job. Joseph became Pharaoh's assistant. He helped Egypt store food so that they would have enough to eat in the seven years when nothing would grow.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
When Joseph's brothers threw him into the empty well, he thought, What have I done to deserve this? It was even worse when they sold him to the traders.
In Egypt, Jospeh was sold to Potiphar, the assistant to Pharaoh. Joseph worked hard. He became Potiphar's assistant. He was in charge of Potiphar's whole house. Even though he was far from his family. Joseph knew God was with him.
One day, Potiphar's wife said to Joseph, "I'm very lonely. Will you be my friend?"
Jospeh didn't think that was a good idea. He said, "No."
Potiphar's wife was angry. She told Potiphar that Joseph hurt her. Potiphar had him thrown in jail.
In Jail, Joseph was lonely. But he knew that God was with him. The jailer noticed how smart Joseph was and gave him jobs to help around the jail. Then he became the assistant to the jailer. Finally, Joseph was out in charge of all the prisoners!
One day, the head baker and wine maker made Pharaoh angry. They were sent to jail. That night they each had a dream. They didn't know the meaning of their dreams. Jospeh told them, "Dreams belong to God. Tell me your dreams."
Joseph told the wine maker that his dream meant that he would be out of jail soon. "Please remember me, and help me get out of jail," Joseph said to him.
When the wine maker got out of jail, he forgot about Joseph.
Two years later Pharaoh had a dream. He asked the smartest people in all Egypt about it. No one could tell him what his dream meant.
Then the wine maker remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh about him. Pharaoh sent for Joseph. He said, "In my dream I was standing next to the Nile River. Suddenly, seven fat cows came out of the river. They were eating grass, when seven skinny, sick-looking cows came out of the river. The skinny cows walked to the fat cows and ate them in one bite! And they still looked skinny."
"Pharaoh," said Joseph, "God is telling you what will happen. For seven years the crops and animals in Egypt will be healthy. There will be plenty of food. But after seven years, all the crops and animals will die, and there will be no food."
Pharaoh was amazed at how Joseph helped him understand his dream. He gave Joseph a special job. Joseph became Pharaoh's assistant. He helped Egypt store food so that they would have enough to eat in the seven years when nothing would grow.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
I Wonder....
- which part of creation God enjoyed the most.
- if Sarai was scared to be a mom at her old age.
- why God created everything in 7 days.
- why Jacob and Esau couldn't split the inheritance.
- if Esau and Jacob ever got caught with switching birthrights.
- if God still does impossible things.
- how Noah's wife felt about it all.
- why Adam and Eve could eat from everything, but one tree.
- how God could make life out of dust.
- what God did to rest on the seventh day.
- if God can still bring good out of bad situations.
- if it was hard for Joseph to forgive his brothers.
- how Joesph knew that God had never left him.
Discussion Questions
- What are. the sounds you hear when it rains?
- What colors do you see in the rainbow?
- How can you help God make sure that everyone God promised to protect is safe?
- Have you ever heard people who have moved from another country speaking a different language than you do? Do you know the name of their language?
- Look for those around you who have moved from another country. Ask them where they moved from and what life was like there.
- How can you help others feel at home in their new country?
- What do you think Esau and Jacob said to each other when they were growing up?
- How do you think these twins looked alike? How were they different?
- Why do you think brothers and sisters, and friends, sometimes fight with each other?
- What could the brothers have done differently?
- What do you think is the most important part of this story?
- Have you ever had a strange dream? What happened?
- Joseph forgave. Is there someone you need to forgive?
- Why do you think Joseph didn't tell his brothers who he was right away?
- Why didn't the brothers recognize Joseph?
- Have you ever been afraid for your family? Talk to your family about what frightens you, and see how you can work together.
- Why do you think Joseph could understand dreams when no one else could?
- Close your eyes and try and remember a dream you had. What do you see or hear? What do you think it meant?
- Have you ever seen someone who needed help What did you do? Do you have special talents that could help people in need?
- Jacob made a promise to God. What might you promise to God?
- What do you think an angel, a messenger of God, look like?
- Have you ever heard a voice in your dreams? What did the voice say?
Video
Holy Moly
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Jacob and Essau
This video is 8:50 minutes long
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Noah
This video is 5:45 minutes long
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Rebekah and Issac
This video is 5:46 minutes long
Saddleback Kid's
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This video is 3:28 minutes long
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This video is 1:14 minutes long
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Crossroad Kids' Club
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This video is 4:18 minutes long
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This video is 3:46 minutes long
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Skit
Abraham and Sarah
*Created by Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte North Carolina
Art Project
Creation
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
- Scissors
- Paper
- Drawing utensil
- Cotton balls
- Animal stickers
- Pencil
Adult Preparation:
- Trace out numbers 1 - 7
- Cut out each numbers
Instructions:
- Each day decorate one number starting from one and ending in seven
Songs
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This song is 2:20 minutes long
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This song is 2:37 minutes long
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Content for Adults
The authors of Genesis sought to answer the question, "Where did we come from?" The Book of Genesis tells us about the amazing beginning of the world. God created the earth, sky, and everything in the world. God made human beings to enjoy and to take care of the world. This book also explains the beginning of God's people, the Israelites.
Each book of the Bible page will have either one or two videos and the handouts taken from an Adult Faith Formation Class that talked about this particular chapter. The video might help you understand the chapter.
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Abraham and the Founding of Islam (Genesis 1-25)
This video is 59:32 minutes long
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The Drama of Sibling Rivalry (Genesis 26 - 50)
This video is 50:27 minutes long
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